After breakfast we took a walk to the lower end of the glacier to admire the view, in itself an awe-inspiring sight. Thinking that it was definitely time for a bit of exercise we had considered doing a half day guided glacier hike today, However, when we saw an advertisement for a heli-hike which whisks you high up onto the glacier and gives you the opportunity to explore the ice formations up there then our imaginations took flight and we decided that this was the thing for us.

When we arrived for check in it transpired that we were the only two booked on the afternoon trip so that meant that once again we were on a private trip. We were kitted out in waterproof over gear and given boots and crampons before boarding our helicopter. It was another Squirrel so we are getting used to those! Our pilot, Tim, took us smoothly up on the 10 minute flight to the landing site. It was an exciting ride, and exciting to see the blue of the glacier below. Our guide, Jonno, led us safely away from the helicopter and showed us how to put on our crampons securely.

Then followed two amazing hours of tramping around the glacier, exploring ice caves, looking at fascinating ice formations, following Jonno and trying very hard not to fall down any holes! It really is important to follow closely in your guide's footsteps as that way you know that where you are treading is the safe path. Not always though! Amanda trod on what should have been a safe step and ended up thigh deep at one point!

Throughout the afternoon we could hear the almost continual sound of rocks falling down at one sside of the valley. Sometimes it was so loud it was quite un-nerving and the dust rose up into the air. A reminder that this is dangerous terrain and you should never venture there without proper supervision.

It was yet another memorable afternoon to add to our collection of wonderful memories and it was so exhilerating clambering over the ice here, there and everywhere like a couple of mountain goats. At one point Amanda followed Jonno through a narrow fissure in the ice for several metres before clambering up and out through a narrow exit at the other end. Simon decided to give that one a miss!

All too soon it was over and our helicopter returned to whisk us back into town, but it was a fantastic experience and we wouldn't have missed it for the world.

We finished the day with a visit to the Glacier Hot Pools in the centre of town which we had been told was a great way to relax and warm up after spending time up on the ice. We chose to have a private pool rather than the public pools and were shown to our own little hot pool with our own cabana. It was completely secluded and not another soul in sight, just the rain forest and the mountains to look at. Perfect!

We finished the day with another visit to the Blue Ice Cafe and more excellent food before returning to watch the All Blacks v Japan on TV.