From Starry Nights to Autumnal Bliss
We first met Jem, way back in Winter 2022 when she came on a AuthenticAs Starry Night Adventure with us. Jem is a nurse and was working in the Waikato, she had just completed two hard years working in ICU in Singapore through Covid lockdowns, had also experienced personal family grief and saw the Starry Nights Adventure as a form of connection. It was inevitable that herself and Emma, one half of the AuthenticAs team who is also an Emergency nurse here in Queenstown, would form a friendship. They had plenty to talk about as they messaged back and fourth to organise a life changing evening under the stars during Jem’s solo trip to Queenstown.
We had one of the most incredible nights on the shore of Whakatipu-Wai-Māori (Lake Wakatipu). Moments were noticed and we know Jem holds those dear. Since then, we’ve kept in touch and were not surprised when Jem decided after her trip here to actually move to the South and it's beautiful skies two years later with her partner Justin.
These aren’t your average life changes, we are just blown away with how a connection we helped someone make between themselves and the universe, has been used to create new directions in life.
“Who would have thought that a solo star gazing tour would have a huge impact in my life. 😌
2 1/2 years ago I decided to do a solo trip to the South Island as part of my Healing Journey and Grief Therapy. I was blessed to meet a couple who made me inspired, amazed and humbled. I met Simon and Emma . ♥️
Simon didn’t just talk about the stars,the milky way ,the galaxy. He made me understand and love it so much that i look at the stars and night sky differently now. It’s his knowledge, passion, heart, kindness and sincerity that made it an “experience” instead of merely a tour. I still remember the feeling of seeing The Milky Way for the first time after my eyes have adjusted to the darkness in 12 Mile Delta. I still remember how I was amazed by the respect and love Simon showed when he asked permission in front of that lake and it felt like nature answered. I treasured every moment of that trip.
“Let’s find hope in sparkles” - when Emma mentioned this during our conversation on Instagram , i knew in my heart that I’d be meeting someone who is heaven sent to be part of my Healing Journey.
I wanted to do a normal review but it wouldn’t feel sincere if i didn’t share the main reason why I did the Stargazing trip in the first place.
If you love the stars, the galaxy, the Milky Way , nature or just want to learn more and experience its magic then you have the best couple to do this trip with.
If you were like me who just wanted to feel a loved ones hug by looking at the stars and the night sky, believing they are up there looking after us … give this trip a go. 😌
I hope you will find hope in sparkles, just like I did. ✨
Thank you Simon and Emma.
Gratitude is an understatement. ✨♥️
Much love always,
Jemjem”
Autumn is looking absolutely stunning this year in the Southern Lakes so perfect for a post wedding photoshoot, as well as an incredible way for Jem and Justin to further explore their first southern autumn scenery together during their AuthenticAs Queenstown Adventure.
Your AuthenticAs Queenstown Adventure will see us spending around 3 hours together, which will begin when we pick you up from your accommodation in our amazing Land Rover Defender ‘Jas”. We’ll then guide you around the place we call home, and we’ve got heaps of different locations to take you inspired by the rich history of this heritage landscape using our extensive Department of Conservation concessions. Through our initial correspondence we learn your story or reason for your trip and create a location choice with you depending on time of day, season and your passions and interests. We are a local family and create our experiences individually crafted for each guest. Our guided tours are completely flexible, enabling the ability to be spontaneous, truly making the most of your precious time here in Queenstown.
Our tours are actually different, we’re not just saying that. We price per trip, not per person, which means your AuthenticAs Queenstown Adventure really is all about you. To connect with this incredible place, day and night, distractions should be limited. All of our clients love the luxury this creates. Yes, we can visit those iconic locations you’ve seen on social media, but we’ll also be taking you to quieter corners and usually for a reason or local knowledge that proves to be worth the detour.
We’re passionate about how we use the environment in which we stand to further understand ourselves. When you take the time to slow down, notice what surrounds you, using all your senses to go beyond the obvious, small details start to reveal themselves. This is the authentic connection. As we make stronger connections to place, this increases the connection we have within ourselves. In our modern world, this is needed more than ever for all of us.
These moments you’ll experience are truly beautiful, we’re here to help you not only create them, we’ll also be utilising our skills as professional photographers to capture them as they’re happening. This isn’t your average photoshoot, nor is it your average guided tour. Queenstown is such a special place, we believe you deserve to experience it in the most unique and special way.
After all of this, once these memories have been crafted and enjoyed, we’ll take you back to where you’re staying, or drop you off at your next destination, if that’s easier for you. Whilst we want you to slow down during your adventure, we take a different approach to the images we’ve created together. It’s incredibly important to us that we deliver you a small selection as soon as possible so you can share with your friends and relive them between yourselves. We’ll ensure that you have some highlights, fully edited, delivered to you within twenty four hours, with the rest not many days behind.
Our online photo album is proving to be so popular. You’ll receive a link, password protected of course, where you can easily view your photographs, individually or part of a slideshow. It’s so easy to download them, again, individually or as a set in a couple of different sizes depending upon how you want to use them. We just love it when they’re shared on social media and hear what you have to say about your AuthenticAs Adventure.
We’re also of the opinion that it’s not really a photograph until it’s printed, you can also order prints directly from here. These prints are printed by ourselves in our home studio with the same love and attention that we took creating them, and can be delivered safely anywhere in the world.
To create your own AuthenticAs Adventure is easy, you can book your AuthenticAs Queenstown Adventure here. You can also explore the full range of our guided tours, day and night, here on our website. Booking links easily available on each of the different pages.
Perhaps you’d like a little reassurance, you may have an idea about somewhere you’d specifically like to visit, or discuss a really special occasion you’re celebrating during your visit to the Southern Lakes. We get it, and to make it as easy as possible, all you have to do is emailus@authenticAs.org, we can’t wait to meet you.
