News Bulletin – March 2010

Welcome to our third newsletter.  The highlight of the last 6 months has been our trip to New Zealand, a landing in paradise. Not only is the scenery magnificent with snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes, but it is a Mecca for trekkers.

Our seven days’ trek on the Routeburn Track and the Greenstone Track started in torrential rain. As we trudged the 8.8 kilometres from the Routeburn Shelter to the Routeburn Falls Hut, mini waterfalls pushed down the slopes and slowed our progress. Even our Gore-Tex gear could not stop the assault of the relentless rain. On that first day, the views were non-existent. The river crossings on the rickety swing bridges were a hairy experience with the water gushing past underneath us.

Greenstone Valley
Lale Harris (1225m)
Tranquility

Kea Parrots
Lake Wanaka
Sealy Tarns


There is nothing like a very wet day to be appreciative of the timid sun which would greet us on the days to follow. From the mighty Earland falls, which crashed down from its 173m height to the mossy forest where one expects to see goblins popping out from the giant ferns, the trek was memorable. As if we were not spoilt enough by the vistas and well maintained tracks, the huts were unbelievable with flushing toilets, gas cookers and even mattresses on the bunks.

We then headed for Mt Cook/Aoraki, the highest mountain in New Zealand, where the sun  and blue skies joined the party for the next three days. The boots were put back on and we climbed to the Searly Tarns (1,250m).  We shared a mountaineering hut with PHD students who were researching the Kea alpine parrot and we joined them during their research early one morning.

We finished our trip in Christchurch attending the Millennium 3 conference. The conference was very motivational with entertaining speakers like All Black and Rugby Sevens’ specialist, Eric Rush. I picked up some good business tips and interacted with advisers from over East.

For more photos, click here.

On the business front, my personal assistant, Melanie has now also started our in-house training program and will soon be ready to prepare the Simple Risk and Super SoAs.  With three paraplanners on board we are set for a very busy 2010.