This absolutely girls experience in our outdoors is ready to go. Places are available, so pack your bags, contact me with your booking and lets go.

I have made an adjustment as below to our itinerary, to make this journey even more unique for you.

See attached itinerary and booking form for full info.
“A visit to Ostlers Vineyard in North Otago on the way will whet your appetite on all levels for more things to come.

Ostlers Vineyard does not generally open to the public and I feel very priviliged that we are able to visit their vineyard. They will be in full swing grape picking, so how lucky are we!

I envisage we will arrive about 11am and after our wee tiki and wine tasting, you will be able to purchase their wines. Picnic lunch is then on the agenda.

How fabulous it is to see the ‘Hot Tubs’ just opened in Omarama.

This will be our mid afternoon treat… a soak in this real oasis in fresh mountain water, under the big McKenzie sky, before heading to Aoraki Mt Cook.

Be one of the first to experience this very unique Japanese Osen at our own back door, unwind and enjoy.”

Aoraki Mt Cook 24 -26 April: $885.00 pp ….more details

Kia Ora,

As I write to you this morning, from this wee cottage in the country, it is so good to be alive. To experience this early morning life giving sun, and birds in chirp chatter, just sets the scene for a magnificent day.

Of late you have received a number of updates from me and I thank you all for accepting these.

Much is happening at the moment, so today I will fill you in on the current newz.

2009 is the perfect time to experience some of our unique home grown travel opportunites and I encourage you all to take some time out to truly see what Aotearoa has to offer.

My passion for our ‘Road Less Travelled’ experiences continues to ignite, as I discover people and parts of this land that I would love to share with you.

Many people let the thought of wonderful possibilities slip away by not actioning them. Procrastination and comfort will not extend our boundaries and extending boundaries is so good for the soul.

My philosophy is, if it tweaks your spirit and interest and beautiful butterflies tumble in the belly, then embrace the opportunity and ‘just do it’. You never know where that wonderful path may lead you. Make your dream reality.

I am always excited by new opportunities and love you to embrace a journey with me.

If you would like me to visit and speak to a group about The Road Less Travelled, I would love to do so.

Ka kite ano, until we meet …
Anah ))

Take your senses to Aoraki, Mt Cook National Park.

Experience Aotearoa’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’ with ‘The Road Less Travelled’ women. ( limited to 10 women)

Come away for this total experience, enjoying some girls time and camaraderie, as we share this unique environment together.

The pristine mountains and the pioneering spirit of our forebears makes this experience one for the soul, mind and body.

Cost: $885.00 pp

Join me on this Aoraki journey by filling in the attached booking form and post to me, along with deposit payment of $285.00.

Itinerary and cost inclusions details below.

Look forward to your booking confirmation asap.

Anah ))

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Itinerary:
From Timaru you will be transported by minivan to Aoraki, Cloud Piercer’ Mt Cook, National Park, return.

For those coming from the ‘four corners’, meeting points will be arranged for pickups along the way.

Fri 24th April:

Depart Timaru, the ‘Place of Shelter’ midmorning.

All aboard ))

As we head south to Waimate and inland to Oamarama, ‘PLace of Light’, via our spectacular hydro lakes through the Waitaki, ‘Weeping Waters” valley, the open spaces of the river valley and dams will provide the beginnings of your photo journey.

A visit to the Clay Cliffs Winery in Oamarama, will whet your appetite on all levels for more things to come.

Clay cliffs Winery

“At 440 metres above sea level, Omarama’s Clay Cliffs boasts the title of being New Zealand’s highest-altitude vineyard. Named after the nearby Clay Cliffs with their dramatic sharp pinnacles and deep, narrow ravines, Clay Cliffs winery has one of Otago’s earliest plantings of Pinot Gris, Muscat and Pinot Blanc. Recent plantings of Pinot Noir and more Pinot Gris have brought the total area under grapes from the original 0.5 hectares to approximately 4 hectares. The extremes make for an acutely cool style of wine.”
Towards Twizel we journey, with a visit to the spectacular geological formations of ‘The Clay Cliffs’.
A pick up of fresh Salmon from the canals will provide part of our sustenance for our evening meal.
With this treat on board, its Aoraki, Mt Cook here we come.
For two nights we will enjoy Adele and Tony’s Lodge, Aoraki/Mt Cook Alpine Lodge in the heart of the Mt Cook village.

Independently owned and operated by fab kiwi hosts.

Welcome, time to orientate, settle in and take pleasure in the evening meal, in the comfort of the Alpine Lodge.

Chat to Kate about a heavenly holistic massage, a treat just for you and book your timeslot.

Our first night in the village of Aoraki Mt Cook.

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Saturday 25th April:
Awake to the mountains in their glory and feed the morning tummy, in readiness for a day of difference.
Today will find us intrepid, and even not so intrepid women, in kayaks on the magnificient glacial lake with Mt Cook Alpine Guide, Charlie Hobbs independent kiwi operator.

We will explore this pristine environment in the incredible, beautiful silence of the lake, touching its beauty as it fully envelopes us, … breath in breath out.

The ‘Old Mountaineers Cafe’ will see us reliving the mornings experience, as we order lunch from Charlie’s world renowned cafe.

A piece of pioneering history. Read the stories and see the pics of the old timers and contemporary climbers.

Share their journey, acknowledge and recognise their incredible contributions to NZ, as these men and women endured, celebrated, and mourned after expeditions, in one of the worlds most challenging climbs.

The afternoon will be yours to explore the village at your leisure.

Experience your girls treat with a relaxing massage from Kate, after booking a time on Friday night.

Time for pre dinner drinks at the lodge, enjoy our tasty evening meal and chat to others staying at the lodge.

(BYO choice of drinks, some bubbly will be provided and non alcoholic drinks.)

The evening will be full of Alchemy, as we meet Donna joining us for dinner, Geologist, Photographer and Alchemist.

Donna will take us on an evening journey of alchemy and magic.

Sleep well after insights gained.
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Sunday 26th April:
Sunday will lead us to greater heights for those of you who would like a glacier landing via plane. Yahoo!!

This will be weather dependent and itinerary may change if Saturday’s weather proves to be spectacular.

(Cost for plane flight will be extra. Please let me know asap if you are interested, as I am able to get a discount booking if there are enough nos).

Today we journey back toTimaru and after a stunning flight, we will be homeward bound.

As we drive back around Lake Pukaki towards Tekapo, you will see some of the most spectacular views of Aoraki Mt Cook on clear days.

This is the Mckenzie landscape at its very best. Photo opportunities are abound.

A visit to the Mt John observatory and hot pools at Tekapo, known for ‘its intense milky turquoise hue”, will envigorate and relax all your senses.

Time to drive onwards after the soothing pools via Bourkes Pass and Fairlie arriving in Timaru approx 5pm.

Thank you all for an awesome Aoraki Mt Cook, ‘Road Less Travelled’ journey.

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Cost: $885.00 pp
Includes :

Escorted Road Less Travelled Experience as per itinerary.

Minivan and driver ex Timaru to Aoraki Mt Cook return.

All delicious meals from Fri lunch to Sunday lunch.( Sat lunch at yr own cost at The Old Mountaineers cafe.)

Non alcoholic drinks and some Bubbles.

2x nights fab accomodation @ Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge. (Some groovy bunk style.)

3hr glacial lake kayak experience with Charlie Hobbs.

One hr holistic massage with Kate.

Alchemy experience with Donna.

Claycliffs Winery tasting.

Tekapo hot pool.

Does not include:

Personal spending of any nature.

Lunch at the Old Mountaineers Cafe.

Food and drinks other than that provided by The Road Less Travelled.

Own snacks and drinks.

Glacial flight.
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This itinerary is a guideline only and will allow moments for going with the flow.

It also may change at any time when unexpected occurrences happen beyond my control.

Priscilla Queen of The Desert: 20-23 Nov 08.
If you are keen to come to this spectacular performance in Sydney, contact me asap please.
This trip is nos dependant.

Melbourne Wine and Food Fest; Approx 7 -15th March 09.
This will now include a wee excursion to the fabulous Margaret River area below Perth.
Currently working on itinerary and costings.

Bali : 15-30 May 09:
Overview available on website.
Limited spaces now available so if you keen, let me know, fill out booking form and send with deposit asap. to secure your place.

New Mexico: Sept 09.
This will be an insightful journey into the Sth West of the USA.

• Arts, Culture, Healing modalities and Redlands under the stars.
• An up close and personal journey with both the Navaho and Apache Nations.
• Explore the Grand Canyon, Experience workshops New Mex style.
• Cirque du Soliel in Las Vegas, Route 66, vibrant San Francisco as entry point into the USA.

The itinerary is currently being shaped and earlybird costings will be out as soon as all my info has been sourced and confirmed.

NZ Trips for 2009.

• WOW End Sept / Oct 09
• Nelson/ Central Otago/ Mt Cook/ EastCoast Nth Island/ High Country Tramp are all in the planning.
  2010.

I am currently checking out a trip to Iceland, Would any of you be keen ?

What an incredible few days and fantastic to see all women blending so well, stepping out of comfort zones and having girls fun in tandem. ‘Go shopping’… took on a new high.

Thank you;

• Karen W for organising a fab turkish treat at Topaki’s turkish restaurant in ChCh prior to our early am departure.
• Jill and Bryan for airport and town drop off / pickups, and very comfy beds.
• April for being the most grooviest Mum and definitely going with the flow.
• Adrienne for your fab personality and clothes with funk.
• Carol for your contagious laugh and do everything attitude.
• Juliet for looking very fab at the back of the ‘very stretched black Limo’ enjoying a glass of bubbly, girls style.
• Karen C for your boundless energy and ability to show the girls a good time.
• Margie for loving things Wellington and being a fabulous grandmother.
• Maureen for your ease with life and loving the time in your new company.
• Rosie for the thrill of the shop till you drop and a beautiful smile for new adventures.
• Sharon for being so petitely beautiful amongst the tulips and embracing the challenges of Wellington street corners.
• The Boulcott Suites for the best accommodation in town.
• Ruth for surprising us with the passion of Salsa and showing us a new rythmn.
• Gloria for the very beautiful, unique black and white masquerade masks, made individually with love
• Limo Driver for keeping the limo a surprise and being our knight in shining armour when the rain came down, as we embarked at the WOW.
• Matt and the team at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary for your love of the outdoors, knowledge and incredible vision for NZ’s future generations with a passion.
• And to the Wellington People for their natural friendliness, incredible service and helpfulness.
  ‘Positively Wellington’ is indeed very alive and vibrant. Go Wellington.

The WOW is a must for all, a creative theatre performance that encompasses all senses. It will leave you spellbound. It will be on my agenda next year.

Visit here to see all the photos

Each day has been a different experience and our drive up to Green Bush Hut yesterday had us pioneering for lunch in the huts open fire. Cauliflower, Kumara and coconut soup warmed our insides and Falafels and coucous to follow., A far cry from the old pioneers tucker.

We have only been away 4 days but the experiences hold the time so close, it seems like eons.

THANK YOU:
To the Mead whanau, thank you all for a very blessed journey. May your fantastic holistic contribution to the land and never ending guardianship be a model for those of us to strive towards.

To Karen, Colleen, Sharan, Gabrielle, Nivonne, Jeanne and Marg:
For taking the steps outside your comfort zones and going with the flow. For the music, the laughter and the dance.

To Sharon, Richard, Bruce and Wayne
For your driving skills and making our trip even more memorable. Keep you on as dishwashers.

To Kate;
For your boundless energy, your ‘got there before me’ work in the kitchen hub and your wonder woman hands.
Best wishes for your future study.

And to Steve;
For all the hard work behind the scenes, your outdoor knowledge, McIver brain and knowledge of this mountain history.

Until next time
Arohanui
Anah

The inaugural big bike race day from Hawea return via the Dingleburn. A seriously huge mountain bike race. We were very priviledged to be a part of this piece of history. Scones, cream and cups of tea proved to be a great diversion for many of the competitors at the Station. Well done Brigie and Nicky.

Today saw us walking up the Dingleburn river, time for the lungs and legs to truly get a bit of a work out. Wet feet and a lesson on the great advantages of merino clothing.

A bit of pampering for the girls, aromatherapy,open fire and candlelight, soothed by Kate,s massaging hands.

Anzac Morning in the mountains looking out over the head of Lake Hawea towards the high peaks awaiting sunrise…,

10 ‘Road less Travelled’ women, five men and a dog, greet the dawn with the haunting sound of the voice of Eva Cassidy, ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’. It is the morning lest we forget, and together we celebrate the selfless contribution of those who came before us, in conflicts on far away shores.

The morning is filled with the cold morning air and as Colleen shares her poem from her Gallipoli experience, we feel their pain, tears escape, and in the mountain hush of the dawn, we remember.

Time to stretch the legs after some more homemade eats, and with our outdoor man in front and me, tail end Charlie, we head to the Dingle’s very own hydro electric generator. A piece of old history. Up we go, to the left, to the right… cabbage trees,rocks and picture perfect views, and then around a corner, a spectacular waterfall, the source for power for this high country merino station. Time for pics and laughs.

Canyon Creek walk in the afternoon tested our confidence with stepping stones and the importance of choosing your stones well.

Bonfire night on the beach with the Mead whanau, mulled wine and marshmellows to toast, we bathed in the firelight, comaraderie, and star gazing.

As Anzac day heads into the twilight zone, time for sleep under a sky of agelessness.

Lest we forget…we will remember them.

What a magnificent day, clear blue skies and a wonderful crispness in the air for our 4wd adventure to the Dingleburn to begin. Colleen, Karen, Sharan, Gabrielle, Marg, Jeanne and Nivonne join the 4wd crew, Sharon, Richard, Wayne, Bruce along with Steve, our outdoor man and Kate our massage therapist, for an outdoor journey of a lifetime.

In convoy we travelled to Lake Hawea, stopping for homemade eats along the way, girls meeting girls and boys. Yellows of autumn colours heralded our way to Benmore Dam, the largest earth dam in the Southern Hemisphere. What a spectacular day.

Greeted with a magnificent view at Windy Point, Lake Hawea, we were blown away with a scene from a picture postcard and a road on the edge!!.

Fresh smoked salmon in the shearers quarters and we settle in for the night at the Dingleburn Station.

The good chat begins.

As our nights begin to get longer as we head towards winter, I am reminded of the firelight stories and games we used to play when TV was not a distraction or a need.

In a weeks time, Sharan, Jeanne, Nivonne, Karen, Colleen, Marg and Gabrielle will join me and my fantastic support crew and drivers on a 4WD ‘out of this world’ experience to the top of stunning Lake Hawea.

This outdoor experience for me is very special and personal, as we begin our Friday morning with a dawn Anzac service, in our own way, with the mountains, the backbone of the South Island our quiet listening audience.