This is our third trip with Active Adventures - we have been to the Galapagos Islands and a trip to Peru. We keep coming back because of how well organized the trips are, the delicious food and the people that we meet. New Zealand might be the most beautiful place we have traveled to date, seconded by Glacier National Park and Tetons. Our guides Rachael and Logan were on their first trip as Active New Zealand guides. They were delightful. When you spend two weeks with people you really get to know each other especially if you live in a hut for two nights and hike three days.
Any trip we have taken with Active you meet people from many different backgrounds and experiences this includes the guides as well as the other participants. It is one of my most favorite parts of traveling. People in the groups are like-minded in that they enjoy active vacations, so many people have traveled the world and it is fascinating to hear their stories.
Now that I have talked about the people let me brag about the beauty of New Zealand. Breathtakingly beautiful from the snow capped mountains to the turquoise blue ocean; one place was as beautiful as the next. We had an absolutely gorgeous day in Milford Sound for our kayaking experience. Jennifer was a terrific guide. We weren't sure if we would see any sea lions when all of the sudden two very playful ones came and swam around our kayaks; jumping out of the water and delighting us while we took pictures and video. After seeing the seals I said I wonder if we will see any penguins. Wouldn't you know that we saw a penguin in the water - then we saw one on land - then another one appeared and we witnessed a penguin standoff. So much fun. The weather cooperated with us where ever we went. There were a couple of days that we had to alter our plans, but that is part of the adventure. Our heli-hike was cancelled at the last minute, but we quickly recovered from the disappointment and took an ATV excursion. Anyone planning the heli-hike should have a back up plan and the ATV was an excellent one. On the Routburn Track we experienced the four seasons. Sunny day to start off with which turned to rain, to hail and to snow. Again the changing weather is part of the New Zealand experience. Even though Mt. Cook was covered in clouds, we were able to experience hiking up the steps. There is much more than 1,000 steps, closer to 2,000 for anyone that will be counting on their way up. Don't miss the walk along the river where you come upon a glacier lake with floating icebergs (that may be an exaggeration but it was large floating chunks of snow).
I can't say enough about our guides Rachael and Logan. They took service to another level. After they dropped us off at the airport I discovered I had left my Kindle on the bus. I thought Active would mail it to me. But who should arrive but Rachael and Logan with a pair of shoes one of our other adventurers left and my Kindle. I would have thought they would have been tired and ready to get back to their homes, but no they were still thinking of us even though they had fulfilled responsibilities.

| January 1970