Glaciers from above

The parking space near the river was affordable, but unfortunately, it was also populated by annoying sandflies. Mosquito spray helps a little, so I can at least make myself a coffee. For a while, it is still uncertain whether I can even go... I am the sixth out of 6 possible passengers, and together we (or I..) seem to be a bit too heavy. Anyway, I can still go, but the pilot will have to circle for a while to gradually gain altitude. I had been thinking for a long time about booking a flight, but this provider flies an interesting, longer route and I was able to optimize the price a bit. Nonetheless, 45 minutes helicopter flight for 8 hours of tree felling....

We take off and fly up the valley to the adjacent mountain peaks. The view is awesome, even though I am a bit cramped in one of the two inner seats of the 4-seater bench. We circle the Franz Josef Glacier, at times just 20 meters above the mountain ridges. The bushfires in Australia have left a thin layer of ash up here. You can see all the way to the sea and on the other side to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo. We land on a slightly smaller glacier off the beaten path for a short break and some photos, and then it's already time for the return flight. Fast, too fast, we're back at the starting point. It was an amazing experience that I wouldn't want to miss....

We continue south on SH6, and for lunch, I make myself an omelette and the obligatory afternoon coffee. Just before Haast, I explore a short hiking trail. Since Greymouth, I have driven about 300km on SH6 between the sea and the mountains to Haast. Here, the road leaves the coast and turns inland. I refuel once more because I actually wanted to drive the 45km dead-end road to Jackson Bay, but then my battery contact fails (cast part, just like that...). After I have built a bridge with the jumper cables, it starts raining and I decide to continue towards Wanaka on the main road. After a short pass, the road runs for dozens of kilometers (35?) along Lake Wanaka or Lake Hawea until I find a small campsite with a lake view just before Wanaka.