New Zealand-the country chosen by God, "God's own country," as the
locals affectionately call their island twins, evokes associations with
uniquely untouched nature, green hills and crystal clear lakes, lonely
white and black sandy beaches and emerald green bays-but also ice-cold
glaciers reaching into the rainforest, wide fjord landscapes, thunderous
waterfalls, and a geothermal wonderland with smoking volcanoes, numerous
hot springs, and spouting geysers.