For me, the best part of the trip was the Rimu- and the Kauri trip was awesome. One last note on Kauri, before getting into Rimu, was the substitution of the Waitomo caves/glow-worms, instead of Hobbiton. I believe that was a good decision, and more in keeping with the nature of "Active Adventures" than going to a movie set. Now on to Rimu! I was at first taken aback by our guides being two small, slender women, as I wondered how they were going to schlepp our heavy luggage in and out of the bus, but I needn't have worried. Cassie and Amanda are more than up to the task, and are far stronger than they look at first glance. As was Sarah. Where to begin with so much fun? Let's get the negative out of the way- the only bad thing was having our snorkeling cancelled at Kaikoura due to tropical storm Luci, having just blown thru the area... As a surfer myself, I know rainfall can cause unsafe coastal conditions for the first few days. As it turned out, the water was crystal-clear, and it seemed as though we could have gone snorkeling after all. And that was our only opportunity to snorkel. But, the decision was out of our hands... A stroll around Kaikoura was great, terrific accommodation at the Creighton B and B, where I made friends with Creighton, a shy, Greater Sulfur Crested Cockatoo, that lived there with the owners. A wonderful place, wonderful people... For me, the Rimu trip and the South Island was the best vacation I've ever had. The beauty of New Zealand, the clear, blue waters, Southern Alps, temperate rainforest, Milford Sound, pristine mountains and valleys, gorgeous coastline... Just a dream come true for me, and now I want to live there! Also, as a lifelong motorcyclist, the roads are perfect. Wrapping up at Mt Cook/Aoraki was awesome, with our two nights at Braemar Station just wonderful. As I'm not a hiker (yup, failure to read the large print on my part, resulted in my doing what I swore I would never do again after getting out of the Airborne Infantry 30 years ago - hiking with a pack on my back! Turned out to be a GREAT trip regardless!) the "easier hike" options were always appreciated. I really enjoyed the mountain biking, kayaking and was looking forward to the snorkeling... Perhaps two scheduled days for snorkeling would be good, so if one cancelled due to weather, the other day would still be available... A terrific trip anyway. Bungy jumped off the Kawarau Bridge on our free Queenstown day, just had a great time. Cassie and Amanda were outstanding in every way, always cheerful, helpful and fun. Great food, great times. Kudos to all the Active Adventures staff who made this happen! Thank you! Jim K. From Central coast, California

| January 1970