100% recommendation for the two week Rimu trip whatever your age. Initially many of us felt that going the wrong way round (southbound) was a bad start as we'd go the the best place first, and then it would get worse. Just how wrong can you be! We think it's BETTER southbound. Although we had 4 couples (above average I'm told) and 4 solo travellers, there was a real bond after the first few days which strengthened as the first week finished. We all appreciated the effort the guides put into making life pleasurable, cooking, driving, listening, encouraging and above all else smiling! We had the advantage that Ben and Christina are the best guides so they made it look easy! They got stiff limbs working, praised us older folk every step of the way and ensured the trip was seamless despite the fresh challenges the weather posed. Throughout the trip we were encouraged to try new things, food, wine, activities, even sky diving (thanks Ben). Although I never had a gap year, 2012 is to be a year of catching up with that concept. Active's blurb says a fit 50yr old will do better than a 22yr old couch potato, well a 56yr old couch potato just had a holiday he will remember for the rest of his life. Thank you Active, thank you fellow travellers but my very special thanks to Ben and Christina, brilliant. Alan Burgess Essex

| January 1970