Bulletins

Paddlers Sans Borders

Because Belize's celebrated atolls are no longer a sea-kayaking secret, U.S.-based outfitter PaddleWays is heading a bit to the north, guiding the first group of kayakers into the new Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, just south of the Mexican border. From a base lodge at Quintana Roo's nethermost tip, paddlers will snorkel along reef lagoons and navigate mangrove-tangled shallows. The inaugural trip, November 25-December 5, costs $1,395. Call 802-660-8606.

Tour de Kiwi
Arguably the planet's most exotic century ride, the Great Lake Cycle Challenge on November 28 will circumnavigate Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, which is hemmed in by volcanoes and riffled by six-foot waves. And if 100 just isn't enough, you can enter the even less sane 200- or 300-mile versions. Fee is $20; call 011-64-7-378-1546 for details.

Float-Over Country
Counterintuitively, balloonists at Yuma, Arizona's Colorado River Balloon Crossing on November 20-22 will be focusing on a relatively dense element: water. At dawn, 50 balloons lift up and over the river into California. At sunset on Saturday, they're tethered and illuminated like giant lanterns. Call 520-343-1715 for details.

Illustration by Michael Bartalos