From:

Lyn Thomas
Brisbane Queensland
Australia

I found Lyn not only an amazing body coach (as in yoga) but a mind coach as well. She was able to lead and nurture the group as a whole and also as an individual, bring me back in touch with myself.

Getting back in touch with my inner self and remembering to embrace nature and its environment put me in to the land of natural living that I have been taken away from in my busy life. How refreshing!! I will never let go of these moments and experiences – as they have lead me to higher places.

What a neat journey!! I found the Wanaka experience refereshing, rejuvenating, a real soul reviver!

The environment……water to sooth me, rocks to relate to, birds to sing to, natural vegetation to calm me, mountains to climb, snow to cool me, waterfalls to cleanse me and Lyn to coach me!! This is WANAKA!

………..Julie White, Brisbane

I have recently become interested in horse riding, so when I booked to go to Lake Wanaka with Lyn, I asked if it was possible to go horse riding during my holiday. Lyn did not hesitate to look into it for me and found a farm about ½ hour drive from Wanaka that offered 2 hour trail rides around the nearby country side. In a state of excitement, I asked Lyn to book it!

Upon arrival at the farm I found the horses were Appalachian which is great. The guide introduced me to my horse and we mounted up. The horses trekked with ease and took us up to the top of a nearby hill. The view was amazing. You could see for miles around the whole valley. Then we leisurely made our way back down the valley where they gave us a choice to canter. The saddles were western saddles, with plenty to hang on to, so off I went. Not only did I feel exhilarated but I could tell this horse was having a great time too. It was so much fun and I am pleased this became part of my wonderful holiday.

Nothing was too much trouble for Lyn. This attitude made the whole trip a wonderful experience that I will always treasure.

……………..Davina O’Brien, Brisbane

$900 non refundable (travel insurance strongly recommended – ask Sunshine Yoga about insurance and air travel).

2nd Payment Due: 10 June 2007
3rd Payment Due: 10 September 2007

W - Wonderful new friends & Wine, Wine, Wine
A - Awesome air so pure & clean
N - Natural beauty & breathtaking scenery
A - Ancient forests & Antarctic chilled streams
K - Kaleidoscope of senses
A - Adventures abound

In a nutshell, Wanaka was the best week. Making new friends, an atmosphere so pure & clean, energizing yoga sessions by the lake, & challenges that awakened the senses. It left me wanting more.

Majestic mountains, the bluest lakes, the greenest grass & sheep, sheep, sheep, but wait there’s more, Lupins, Lupins, Lupins. I will return soon.

Thank you Lyn for the most amazing yoga holiday. You are a very gifted lady. I wish you well and hope you have as much fun on the next journey.

………………….Karen Briggs, Hervey Bay, Queensland

Edgewater Resort sits on the edge of Lake Wanaka. There is a wonderful relaxed atmosphere where you can set your own pace. You can enjoy their restaurant and café for meals, snacks and breakfast. Also the spa and sauna are a wonderful addition after your walking and hiking adventures.

The rooms have been carefully designed to provide comfort while enjoying the views. All rooms open out onto balconies with a view of the grounds and the lake. They are modern, with great décor. And Lyn can vouch for the beds being very very comfortable! Other than the hotel suites, they have a self-contained kitchen where you can make your own breakfast if you wish.

Sargoods are proud of their award winning chef who infuses wonderful seasonal NZ flavours in a range of dishes that suit everyone’s palette. Sunshine Yoga spoils you with two dinners at this restaurant over your 8-day holiday.

Last year Lyn and her group were delighted with the Warm Lamb Sushi, Carrot Consomme, Pesto Crusted Salmon, Cobblestones of Braised Venison, Lingujini Vin Blanc. Decadent desserts like Satan’s Kiss, I Pity the Fool, Chocoholics Dream are all a temptation!
They cater for vegetarians.

Just 1 hour from Wanaka is the beautiful Mt Aspiring National Park. Within this National Park is the Rob Roy Glacier which is considered by many to be the most scenic one-day hike in the South Island of New Zealand. It is a huge glacier – its beginning start above the Rob Roy Peak (2606 metres). This magnificent glacier then meanders its way down the steep mountainside into the Rob Roy Valley. The beauty of this glacier is the easy access where you can actually experience this amazing site within one day, which, in other parts of the world could take several days to hike to such a place.

Lyn’s experience of this day begins………….”the day began with a scenic drive from Wanaka into the Matukituki Valley. Duncan, our guide for the day, headed us along the banks of the light turquoise coloured Matukituki River where we crossed the river via the swing bridge, entering the beautiful Mt Aspring National Park. The trek steadily climbs into exquisite New Zealand rainforest with a variety of moss, ferns and shrubs.

With the group having varying levels of fitness, Duncan was ever mindful of the pace and would stop to wait for others in the group to catch up. This was a confidence builder for the not-so-fit in the group, including myself who was nursing and injured knee. His knowledge of the terrain, of the flora and fauna added another dimension to this walk.

As we ascended through the rainforest, the glacier could be frequently seen between the trees. The amazing sound of the flowing glacial waters and visual attributes were with us for most of the hike. We were lucky enough to spot the friendly and beautifully coloured NZ fantail feeding its two offspring, high on a branch above us. We watched as the little ones ate and then exercised their wings. Duncan said he had never seen this before.

It took about 2½ hours of gentle trekking when the terrain changed to alpine scrub and flowers and the glorious site of Rob Roy Glacier came into view – so close – an amazing sight. And here we were welcomed by 2 amazing birds – the kea. This was our first close up view of these, what we discovered, cheeky little fella’s.
We spent quite some time relaxing and enjoying the most amazing views Mother Nature could offer, eating our packed picnic lunch, hot ‘cuppa’ and enjoying the kea’s company as they eagerly tried to pinch our lunch!
We enjoyed the sounds and sights of the large chunks of ice and snow breaking off the glacier and watching the huge waterfalls cascading over the glacial edge.

Following our lunch we made the return walk downhill to the car park. The end to a fantastic days adventure and the beginning of an amazing memory”.

This is a truly magical trip. You take a boat trip across Lake Wanaka to Mou Waho Island, which is an extraordinary native flora and fauna reserve and is geographically rare.

Lyn’s story continues……………….”The boat that took us across the lake to Mou Waho Island was manned by our guide Chris, who was constantly forthcoming with history, stories and information that just blew us all away. What a delightful character – native to this land which made this trip even more authentic.

A 40-minute leisurely walk took us up to the Arethusa Pool with its own islands and unique features. The pool has a rocky bluff overhang where we stopped for a biscuit and hot chocolate, enjoying the amazing panoramic view of Lake Wanaka and beyond. This is where Chris and Duncan continued their story of the Maori’s decent through valleys and down rivers heading to Lake Wanaka many many years ago.

We were delighted with the viewing of the very shy and rare NZ native bird called the Weka. Another very delightful (albiet rather scary) sight was Chris handling two weta’s and a rock gecko, saying that they reside together harmoniously under a rock just off the walkway??? I was appalled because as a child growing up in NZ, the weta was the only creature I was very scared of and here was this man handling them!!!

A little addition on our boat trip back to Wanaka was a delightful detour to a waterfall and along the lakes edge where we saw flowering native Kowhai trees which the tui’s love.
This has become another very special and memorable day”.

This days adventure is a great way to get into the Southern Alps without the long periods of hiking and you get to enjoy a fabulous scenic flight and a jet boat trip!

Here goes with yet another of Lyn’s stories………………….”This was the ultimate experience due to the excitement of the plane trip and the jet boat. Three of us flew into the remote Siberia Valley. It was an awesome flight – flying over spectacular mountains looking down on glacial lakes and through the valleys between high mountains. From the drop off point we donned our shoes, put on rubber boots and walked across the river where the walking track started. We had a leisurely two hour walk along the Wilkin River, through wonderful rainforest with its intriguing moss and ferns, waterfalls and streams.

A packed picnic lunch was most welcome along the way, stopping and relaxing and taking in the magnificent views of surrounding mountains and listening to the birds and the constant soothing sounds of the river.

The jet boat ride back to Makaroa was the icing on the cake. An experience I have been waiting for a long time. The absolute thrill of the jet boat spinning and whizzing over 6 inches of water was amazing. The view from the boat gave a new perceptive of this amazing land.

It rained whilst in the boat so we were all most gracious of the hot fire and steaming hot chocolate back at the café, beside the beautiful open fire.
This topped the total Lake Wanaka experience and memories that will last a life time”.