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 eme rald 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.