The plan now was to go to the airport and see if there are any flights available by helicopter, then we can work out what to do with the rest of the day.
We were pleased to see that we could pretty much jump straight on a helicopter and go, as they only need a minimum of two passengers to make it worth them flying (as long as you paid them of course). As it happened there was a lone Kiwi guy who was waiting for someone to turn up so that he would have a chance to go, and he asked if he could join us. Given there are five seats 3 passengers would not make a crowd, particularly as each would have a window seat (one in the front and the other two either side in the back), so we went ahead.
After a quick safety briefing (far less scary than Willy had given us for our Coromandel walk) it was "chocks away", though I didn't actually spot the chocks being taken away. Or is that only with aeroplanes?
The schedule for the trip is - a twenty minute flight to cover the 50km to the island - a one hour guided walk around the volcano - and obviously a twenty minute flight back, as leaving passengers over there is bad form. Although they did say they might leave you there if you weren't good. The helicopter took off backwards - very impressive.
This is Whale Island just off the coast.
Then about 15 minutes later.
On landing we are issued with a hard hat and gas mask. The latter is only really essential if the wind is blowing the fumes towards you, and they say you will quickly figure out if you need to use it.
Then it is out over the crater of the volcano, which is completely covered in debris that we are told has been sprayed over the ground by the various minor eruptions that happen intermittently (obvious really). There are also several bulges covered in sulphurous elements - these are where the magma has pushed to ground up. The last (minor?) eruption was at about 8pm one evening in 2012. Apparently it was quite a spectacular event with smoke going up and fork lightning appearing over the island through the night. Lucky it wasn't during the day or a tour trip.
Some really impressive mountain side ravines.
Still photographs of bubbling mud pools really aren't that impressive - you had to be there.
Sulphur deposit.
The island was originally mined for the sulphur for use in multiple industries. This was in the early 1900s. Fourteen men working on the volcano were killed by an eruption in 1914. Their bodies have never been found.
Eric says it like being on the moon! How would he know that?
Suggestions are ;
Fixed point photography point,
Mounting for a microphone,
Post for the miners to tie up their llamas.
Post to tie maiden to for the dragon.
He can never resist a good photo op.
Just open the door
And jump up to be the pilot - Eric fancies flying one of these, it did looks easy
