It's not often you get to see a break in the clouds when flying at 30,000 feet, but on a recent flight from Christchurch to Brisbane, I was lucky enough to see these wonderful views from my window seat.

The only other time I have seen beautiful mountains from an airplane was flying over the Canadian Rockies.  This type of scenery still takes my breath away.

Boy, was I like a kid in a candy store with these views.  Thank goodness I now shoot mainly in digital.  I must have taken about 20 photos from that plane window!

Last, but not least - I managed to be circumspect and only include 4 of the photos I took of the mountains - more than enough really, but it's likely one of those things that "you had to be there".