Our trip program had wonderful highlights which we all loved. The Kimi Ora resort was simply gorgeous and the activities of sailing in Abel Tasman and paddling the waka were beautiful. We loved meeting the Maori man who took us in the waka and shared Maori culture with us. The group (not I, as the Heathy track was too much for me) absolutely loved the hike in the Heaphy Track, going into the caves, and learning from the guide. The Pancake Rocks were phenomenal and we loved that day of seeing them. Driving down the coast and seeing so much undeveloped and unspoiled seacoast was gorgeous and inspiring. In the US we would never see anything like that--our coasts have so many homes, hotels, restaurants along them. The rest of the group also loved the bike ride, which was when Pamela and I went to Wanaka, a lovely town with fantastic yarns made of merino and possum. Learning about the travesty that the possums inflict upon the trees was important to know. For me the bird life was a huge highlight. It was lovely to listen to them and see their charming faces. The fantails were among my favorites. The wine tasting in Wanaka was wonderful. Such delicious wines! It was surprising to learn how different sauvignon blanc tastes when it is not from Picton Bay or Marlborough.
— Kathleen Vieweg, New Zealand
