The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: May seventh, exploring Kiwi adventureland.

New Zealand has been described as a young bachelor version of Australia, rumpled, adventurous and lusty. That's especially true of the southern of the two major islands of this Pacific nation, a middle earth landscape of mountains ringed by rain forest and sand. South Island drives are long loops around its coast, with stops and sidetrips at various points for specific activities, all of which seem to require a degree of vigor and daring. The choice is clockwise or counterclockwise.

In this issue of the magazine, National Geographic Traveler, a supporter of our program, five twenty-something friends, three American girls and two Australian guys, freelance their way around South Island. They planned their 12-day circumnavigation on the go, resolved only to sample a new adventure every 24 hours.

They hiked in Mount Cook National Park and sailed Milford Sound, jetboated up one river and paddled the white water of another, transiting twisting one lane highways in between. One day, they heli-hiked on Franz Josef Glacier; another rafted an underground river through caves lit by blue glowworms. They sampled sea-kayaking, ice climbing, horse trekking and whale watching. Of course, there was some relative downtime, shopping in Queenstown, wine tasting at Seifried Estates and enjoying thermal pools at Hanmer Springs.

An exhausting itinerary, packed with experience and a few bumps and bruises, but it left them only wanting more. Their account also provide details for replicating the whirlwind Kiwi adventureland excursion. Who says youth is wasted on the young?

FMI For more information: Tourism New Zealand at www.purenz.com

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