There's a lot of anticipation when one books a tour six months in advance, and even more when the weather forecasts hundreds of millimeters of rain over several days. Fortunately, our guides Lynette and Grace had the experience and confidence to make the most of whatever came our way, and we had a trip every bit as wonderful and beautiful and challenging as the brochure promised...and then some!

Lynette is a Queenstown native and knows the South Island and its many personalities intimately. Her guidance was consistently spot-on, never overwhelming us with details or forcing us to think about contingencies that didn't matter. Her knowledge of local flora and fauna was illuminating, and helped prepare us to see more deeply into the wild and natural beauties of the trails. She gave consideration to the full range of abilities in our group, adjusting plans so that all could have the best experiences based on their respective abilities.

Grace was the loud, proud voice of planning, preparation, logistics, and team discipline. But she was also the one to quietly lead some listening sessions that allowed us to experience the wild beyond what we could see. Whether working unheard and unseen to acquire provisions, prepare meals, fill the snack basket for the bus rides, or making sure everybody heard and understood instructions so we could all safely enjoy the adventures of the day, Grace always had the right tone and tenor to bring the team together, on schedule. As a result, we could all make the most of each day, which was a lot!

The forecast the day before our trip was a Code-Orange storm predicted to dump hundreds of millimeters of rain over a period of several days. Lynette acknowledged that things can get wet on the West Coast (understatement!), but she also told us that with the right equipment and the right attitude, we can have great experiences in challenging weather. We tested that theory on Day 1 at Arthur's Pass National Park, and while it was wet, it was also a great opportunity to experience, in a limited way, what we could do despite the rain. That first challenge help galvanize the team, and every day thereafter, things got better, naturally.

The monster storm predicted chose to head north while our tour headed south, giving us gorgeous weather and a freshly-washed landscape. The rivers were quite full and fast-running from the rain, which only added to the energy of the remote wilderness of the Siberian valley. The hike to the Ben Lomond Saddle in Queenstown was definitely a highlight as we crossed the snowline quite early in the trek. But so too were the encounters with penguins, dolphins, seals, and kea in Milford Sound. And never have I seen the opulent lushness of a rainforest that does receive its full allocation of rain water (recently 20m in a year!). Good accommodations, healthy, generous meals, and a shared appreciation for good coffee prepared us well for each day's adventure. And not once did I feel like I pushed anything too hard, nor been asked to do so.

All in all a well-organized, well-run trip across some of the most amazing landscapes I've ever seen in the 36+ countries I've visited.

| January 1970