Kiwis

March 15, 2018

Thank you from Christine Riggle

Dear Karen and Wendy,

Wharariki Beach and Archway Islands – Photo Credit to Christine Riggle

It has been two weeks, but I think I?m finally recovering from jet lag! I want to thank you both for the arrangements you made for Faith and I for our February trip to NZ. Our stay in Pohara was just what we needed to start the trip. Steve at Ratanui Lodge was wonderful. On our free day we followed his suggestions to visit Wainui Bay and Wainui Falls and to go to Toto?s for lunch and had a great time. I would recommend Pohara and Ratanui Lodge to any of your clients. The highlight of our stay in Golden Bay has to be the day we spent with Lucy of Wine, Art and Wilderness Tours. Although we were disappointed that we would not see Noel, Lucy was a wonderful substitute. She took us to Wharariki Beach which was amazing.

Sea lion near Dunedin – Photo Credit to Christine Riggle

The only bad weather we experienced was in Queenstown the day we were scheduled to go on the Dart River jet boat tour. We were lucky enough to be able to reschedule for the next day. Not only was it a beautiful day to spend outside, but the jet boat tour was a lot of fun and the scenery was absolutely gorgeous.

I really have to thank you for recommending the kiwi spotting tour while we were at Stewart Island and the day we spent with Brian (who was a pleasure to spend time with) of Classic Jaguar Tours visiting Lanarch Castle, the Royal Albatross Centre and the Penguin Place Conservation Reserve. We actually spotted a kiwi!–a very hungry kiwi apparently who we were able to observe for a good 20 minutes. This is the first trip to NZ during which we?ve seen so much wildlife. It was amazing!

So thank you both for an awesome trip!

Christine Riggle

May 2, 2014

Thank you from Marlies and Helmut Kraemer

Hi Karen,

The ?Down-Under Travelers? of 2012 have now enjoyed a second trip with Australia 2000 Travel ? this time to New Zealand! How can we really thank you for putting together another amazing journey for the Kraemers? The answer became apparent these past few weeks. We spent 5 incredible weeks in New Zealand (February 1 ? March 8, 2014) and while the experience was a once in a lifetime, the retelling to friends is a special way of reliving the trip. And that is how we can really thank you. It is an ongoing experience with us every time we get the iPad out and share pictures and memories. And we see the looks on our friends? faces?..first a bit of envy, then joy, and then?.the question?.who did you use for this amazing trip? Then we can return the favor and say, well of course, Karen at Australia 2000 Travel! It was also interesting that during our New Zealand travels we met other guests during our stops who upon hearing our itinerary asked that same famous question?..who was your agent? Again, the joy when we could share your information with them!

Our 5 week journey took us from Auckland to Queenstown with our overnights at some of the most beautiful places one can imagine. Though each were wonderful, Helmut and I had some favorites: EdenHouse in the Nelson region, Otahuna Lodge outside of Christchurch, Huka Lodge in the Taupo area, and both the Farm at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke?s Bay and Matakuri Lodge in Queenstown. And we should not forget Mollies in Auckland and Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura! But a trip is not about lodges, it is about what one learns. We met such wonderful ?Kiwis?, hospitable, kind, and fun-loving. We learned so much about New Zealand, its history, culture, and its life today both economically and politically. I have told so many friends that we attended the ?University of New Zealand? for 5 weeks!

I must confess that I was a bit hesitant to travel to New Zealand because I am not a ?sports? person and rather risk adverse to things that the locals find just plain fun-like jet boat rides and bungee jumping! But one need no athleticism to eat and drink one?s way through New Zealand?.only stamina!! With an agro/aquaculture based economy one certainly has access to the best foods in the world. The concept of paddock to table is everywhere and we were in good food withdrawal for days upon our return! The wines?..shall we say most of the good wines remain ?home? in New Zealand!

Finally, the natural beauty of New Zealand, alone, is worth a trip. I have likened New Zealand to California on steroids?..ocean, mountains, desert, rainforests, volcanoes, tectonic plates?..you name it, it is there! And the animals?.for all my days I will remember my ?baby??..Vortex, the kiwi bird, who has been so fortunate to be in a sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers and be able to grow up in safety in his natural habitat.

In a nutshell, New Zealand touched each one of our senses: our eyes took in the magnificent scenery, our ears heard the calls of native birds and the wind, our noses smelled the beautiful flowers and sheep, our taste buds burst with the amazing flavors of the foods we ate, and our hands touched and felt so much of the texture of this incredible world. All perfection?and because you helped to bring all of that into our lives by paying attention to every detail of our journey. That brings smiles of joy to our faces!

The three pictures say so much??.we enjoyed and we thank you, your US team, and the New Zealand team that made it all a beautiful reality for us!

Fondly?..Marlies and Helmut Kraemer

March 11, 2013

Thank you from The Robinet Family

Dear Karen,

We can?t thank you enough for putting together such a wonderful itinerary for us. Our trip to Australia and New Zealand was the trip of a lifetime and one that none of us will forget.

From Green Island to Ayers Rock to Sydney to Queenstown, we have memories of the most beautiful places we?ve ever seen. The adventures you chose for us were terrific.? From snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef to the Sounds of Silence dinner and camel ride at sunrise in Ayer?s Rock from Bridgeclimb, New Year?s Eve festivities and sailing on Sydney Harbour in Sydney to ziplining and bungy jumping in Queenstown, New Zealand, etc., everything was fantastic!

We?re already talking of going back! We booked this trip because we wanted to do a big family trip before our oldest son goes away to college. Thank you for exceeding our expectations. Australia and New Zealand truly are spectacular places to visit. The Aussie?s & Kiwi?s are wonderful too! They really know how to enjoy life and they made sure that we enjoyed it too. Thank you to you and your staff.

Sincerely,

The Robinet Family

July 11, 2011

Should Technology Take the Place of Personal Service and Interaction?

As technology is taking over practically everything it touches perhaps it’s time to get back to basics, human contact and interaction.? This NY Times article touches on the both sides of the issue.

Some hotels have begun to expand the definition of concierge to mean more than just a knowledgeable employee. It now can also mean smart digital devices. Software companies are creating programs that offer information like restaurant tips, flight arrivals and departures and driving directions via these devices to guests at midtier hotels that do not provide traditional concierge services.

Even more upscale brands that employ human concierges are joining in, by offering location-specific information, accessible via the Internet, iPhone apps and even live chats. And all Hyatt hotels let guests send requests, via Twitter, to customer service agents who are on call 24 hours a day…read more

[Read more…]

August 16, 2010

Down Under Adventures Begin Atop Birmingham

Published: Monday, August 16, 2010 by The Oakland Press

Karen Hardy-Hodgson ? a corporate wife armed with a green card and a passion for her homeland ? has developed a thriving international boutique cottage travel business.

When she isn?t jumping out of planes, the Sydney native and Australia 2000 Travel founder can be found going on a walkabout or perched above the downtown Birmingham street scene where she creates ?trip of a lifetime? adventures for her diverse client-base of honeymooners, retirees and adventure-seeking world travelers.”