New Zealand Adventure Tours – New Zealand Bike Tours – Hiking New Zealand Vacations
I would say it was a once in a lifetime trip,
but it was so good a person should not only experience it once.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH:
MEET OUR GUIDES:
Barry Hughes
Carol & Steve Beckett (Oldham, United Kingdom) December 2002 Rimu
 Mark |
Name: Mark Banham |
| Position: Co-Guide/Cook | |
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Bio: I think of myself not so much as a jack of all trades, rather a jack of all expensive hobbies! I enjoy skiing, mountaineering, sea kayaking, mountain biking, cross country running, photography and writing. I've run a couple of cross-country marathons, climbed Lendenfeld Peak, Mt. Tyndall, Mt. Topheavy and Single Cone. I've been diving with sharks, surfing with dolphins and kayaked around Pt. Pusiger. I've raced a season as a bowman on an antique 8-metre class yacht in Sydney Harbour. I helped put out the '94 Sydney bushfires and worked on the 2000 Olympics. I celebrated my 30th birthday in the lobby of Delhi airport and hastily exited the Himalayas with a case of pulmonary oedema. I've been the subject of, and participant in, airborne search and rescue operations. I can also do a one-handed bowline and tie a knot in a jelly snake without using my hands. |
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What our clients have said:
"Mark's constant enthusiasm was a boost every day. His cooking skills were awesome. Always sharing knowledge and stories during the drive and hikes." "He could make a living as a chef. A sweet guide made this trip more memorable because of the divine food. " "Mark was DELIGHTFUL in every way - especially on the trail and in the kitchen. He was also wonderful to talk to. I always sat in the front of the bus so I could pester him with all my questions about all that we were doing and seeing. What a fantastic guy! He brought just the right touch of humor to all occasions and made everyone feels at ease." "Mark was great! He was able to multi-task and get many tasks done quickly that ensured our trip ran smoothly and was very dedicated to our trip (even running back to the bus when the bowls and utensils were left behind at Aspiring Hut)! He is open to learning and asking questions." "Excellent. Passion for the business, very engaged with clients, generated enthusiasm, very broad knowledge base... he always went the extra mile." "Mark is another gem. He ensured that special food items were provided and his cooking was very good." "Mark (alias James Bond) nickname because of his mild manner. What a lovely man. Always polite, never stressed. Cooking & catering for a big group of people, well done Mark, I don't know too many people who could pull it off. Even when 1 of the passengers tested him and was quite rude, Mark never waivered. A credit to him & Active NZ to be proud of. A people person who relates to all personalities, ages & cultures. Customer service skills 10/10. A special person to have 12 people in your face 24/7." "Mark was awesome!!! He accumulated several group nicknames over the course of the trip (all good!) that resulted from the group members marveling at his abilities. He was extremely knowledgeable of the country as well - he really knows his Maori legends! And his cooking... oh man! This guy seriously deserves an award. Can I give him an "8" out of 7 for Food Presentation?? :) He had boundless amounts of energy and created fantastic meals even after our extremely long days. Mark's personality was absolutely indispensable as well and we loved spending time with him. If I ever do another Active NZ trip, I would only hope that I could have Mark co-guide the group again. " "Mark really does know how to cook like a pro. I find Mark to be welcoming and friendly, always with cool/funny info tidbits during the rest of the trips to share with the rest of us or help us with anything we needed." "Mark was superb. He and I hiked together at Fanz Joseph while the others took the Mirror Lake walk. He was good company, had a good fund of knowledge about local flora, and had many outdoor experiences I could relate to. He's also a good cook." |
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