Our second stop in New Zealand was Tauranga. Our focus today was our two hour flight around the Bay of Plenty Region and out to the White Island an active volcanic island. Ann, Cathy and I left the ship early and meet our pilot Ethan Walmsley for our drive to the airport. Luckily the weather was good, a little cooler with scattered clouds. Our pilot started our flight over the city of Tauranga and around Mount Mauganui before making our way to White Island. Tauranga is a harborside city on New Zealand's North Island and it is flanked by Mount Mauganui. In route to White Island we passed field upon field of kiwifruit...much of New Zealand’s kiwifruit, avocados and Manuka honey products are grown here. Another island we flew over offshore from Tauranga is Motiti Island. Motito is home to two families...one end of the island is an avocado tree farm and a natural spring water supply. Our primary goal today,49 kilometers offshore is the active volcano on White Island, also home to a garnet colony and is only accessible by helicopter or boat...White Island was discovered in 1769 and is currently owned by a family from Auckland. Today, the volcano was billowing and spewing Sulphur fumes. Leaving White Island behind, we headed inland to Mount Te Puia, Whakarewarewa Valley and Lake Rotorua, the regions majestic scenery is rich with dense pine forests and Manuka trees famous for the Manuka honey...this area is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. On our flight today, we covered a lot of territory...it was a spectacular scenic flight with our excellent Sunair/Tauranga Aeroclub pilot Ethan Walmsley....www.flytac.co.nz....Ethan gave us a guided tour on our way back to town with a stop at the beach....thank you for another wonderful day in New Zealand. Ethan dropped us in the center of town where we browsed the shops, had a snack and enjoyed some WIFI before returning to the ship. It was a magnificent day!!!!
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