ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, MY FAmily and I were on a floatplane, gliding above lakes, islets, and volcanoes in Rotorua, New Zealand.

The volcanoes were supposed to be generally dormant, but you never know. In the crater of one giant volcano, lava was so hot it glowed blue, not red.

Looking at the primeval expanse of land and water beneath us, we witnessed the grandeur of our world and it was but natural to give thanks to the Creator from whom everything flowed forth.

In the eerie silence, we realized that our world was indeed beautiful. Human wars and quarrels paled before nature?s majesty. Everyday pettiness faded away, and we were children again.

In the afternoon, we laughed at the kiwi bird?s quirkiness, reached eagerly for the kiwi fruit, and marveled at the sheen beneath the frond of the silver fern, the national symbol of the Kiwis, the nickname for New Zealanders.

In New Zealand, we came face to face with nature, and with ourselves.

Me Tarzan

The city has its advantages, to be sure. But if we need to escape cubicles and classrooms, the choices are limited?badminton courts that need to be reserved, pools overflowing with chlorine, crowded pavements so tough your feet hurt when you run.

Tree Adventures (0800-TARZAN), a half hour ride out of Auckland was a great antidote to city ennui. For two hours, in Woodhill forest, we not only climbed trees, but clambered up ladders, wiggled through barrels, balanced on tightropes and, best of all, flew down flying foxes. I had a touch of acrophobia (fear of heights), and did only the basic course a few meters above the ground.

But my husband and our son had the time of their lives, skipping over ropes, hanging onto swaying steps, maneuvering through obstacles, way above the trees.

Tree Adventures is not just physical?the challenges are mental as well. My son had to think about how to go over tall pinions (meant for longer legs) while still maintaining his balance. My husband had to think how not to rely too much on his shoulders, so as not to inflame an old injury, as he held on to much-needed pulleys and harnesses.

No wonder Tree Adventures is a popular retreat for students and executives. Not only is it a decent team-building activity, it also promotes mental and physical learning.

?I never thought I could do that,? my son said after he finally came down to earth, gazing up at the treetops where he was moments before. For someone who had never climbed anything except synthetic playhouses, Tree Adventures made him more confident about his body and himself. For a few hours, he was Tarzan.

Doing the Segway

A few years ago, the inventor Dean Kamen made the cover of Time Magazine for creating a form of transport he hoped would revolutionize the world: the Segway Personal Transporter.

A cross between a scooter and a bicycle, the Segway responds to human movement. Instead of sitting down, we stand on the cart, and balance is no problem. To go front, back, left or right, we just have to lean towards that direction.

After 10 minutes of practice, and instruction from Pauline Baker of Magic Broomstick Segway Tours, we were off for a close-up look of the charming village of Devonport, 12 minutes by ferry from Auckland.

We rode Segways to visit crumbling forts and tunnels, never used since New Zealand was never invaded. Segways were excellent climbing machines and, with the wind on our faces, we reached the summit of Mount Victoria (to the envy of passengers on tour buses plying the same route). The views of the gulf, the mountains, the forests, the plains, the valleys, and the seas from there were spectacular.

Segways are not only fun but, since they run on electricity, are environment-friendly as well. I hope Segways become popular in the Philippines?they are a good alternative to cars and taxis.

Overcoming fears

When I was 7 years old, my parents took my sister and me on our first-ever horseback rides in Baguio City. Excitedly, we clambered onto the horses? backs, but what I thought would be the prelude to a dream turned into a nightmare.

The guide was supposed to lead us round and round a paddock but, suddenly, my horse galloped wildly and crashed into the hapless horse (and rider) in front, then reared up on its hind legs.

I desperately clung on to the bit and the mane, trying not to fall as the horse stood almost vertically. The guides came running, and finally managed to bring me down safely.

I learned later that my male horse was feeling ?amorous? towards the female horse in front. It should not have been given to a beginner, and a child at that. But the damage was done. After that first horseback ride, I vowed never to do it again.

But my son, who had never ridden a horse before, begged to do so in New Zealand. It would have been so easy to say no, and tell him my scary story, but this would be a cop-out. Horseback riding could be exhilarating, and I could not deprive him of the experience.

We researched online and decided to try the Paradise Valley Ventures Horse Trekking, which billed their horses as suitable not just for experts, but also for beginners.

On a clear morning, I set out to confront my fear. I told the trainers about my previous experience, and they gave me Moose, the gentlest horse in the stable.

At first glance, Moose did not look gentle. He was a horse right out of the movie ?Lord of the Rings,? tall and proud, twice the size of my frisky Baguio horse. Yet when I finally clambered onto the saddle, his peaceful demeanor calmed me.

My nervousness abated as we rode up and down small hills, through meadows carpeted with wildflowers, and farmland populated by cows and sheep. The views certainly were better than those of a paddock! I started to enjoy myself, and frequently patted Moose?s silky coat and lush mane. Afterwards, I was jubilant. Nothing beats overcoming a phobia!

My son had a huge grin during his entire ride, and even though he looked small on his horse, he never had a moment of fear. His first horseback ride was perfect. It would definitely not be his last.

For Tree Adventures, go to www.treeadventures.co.nz. For Segway Magic Broomstick Tours, go to www.segwaytours.co.nz/tours.html. For Paradise Valley Ventures Horse Trekking, go to www.paradisetreks.co.nz.

E-mail the author at blessbook@yahoo.com.