奥克兰被称为“帆船之都”。听到这个称号,大家就知道这个城市和海洋是多么密不可分。这是一个都市与海滩结合的大城市,不管你在奥克兰的哪一个地方,不用走多远就可以到达美丽的海滩。奥克兰既有古老的建筑,又有现代化的游乐设施,使其成为新西兰举足轻重的都市。
听力小提示:本文生词多,单词难度大,并使用了大量长句(定语从句和状语从句尤为明显),但语速适中,语音清晰,富含感情,适合作为泛听材料使用。建议先通读全文,了解大意后进行分段听力练习。听的时候要抓住每段要点:每段介绍了哪处景点?各景点有哪些游览项目?各有什么特色?
Known as the City of Sails, delightful Auckland, New Zealand, is surrounded by the blue Pacific. An awe-inspiring[使人惊叹的] harbour and lively waterfront provide a welcoming atmosphere[气氛] for a visit to this scenic city and its intriguing[引起兴趣的] surroundings.
美丽怡人的新西兰城市奥克兰被称为“帆船之都”,被蔚蓝的太平洋环绕。其令人惊叹的海港和生机勃勃的海滨都让游客对这座风景优美的城市及其引人入胜的周边环境游兴倍增。
Auckland is young by comparison with European cities. Archaeological[考古学的] evidence is most evident along coastlines and harbours, giving credence[证实] to the theory that the Maoris注1 were the earliest settlers. They arrived in canoes from other parts of Polynesia注2, probably around 800 AD. A thousand years later Europeans appeared on the scene.
与欧洲城市相比,奥克兰还相当年轻。海岸沿线和港口的考古证据最为明显,证明了毛利人是最早定居此地的居民这一理论。毛利人于公元800年左右乘坐独木舟从波利尼西亚群岛来到此地。一千年以后,欧洲人来到了这里。
And in 1840, a treaty – considered New Zealand’s founding document – promised protection of Maori land if the Maori acknowledged British sovereignty[主权]. As was so often the case with European annexation[吞并] of native lands, this lead to misunderstandings, conflicts and skirmishes[小冲突] that resulted in Maori land being confiscated[没收,征用]. The ramifi- cations[结果,分支] of this period in history are still being sorted out. Today Auckland blossoms socially and economically, and is known as a city that champions[支持] women’s rights and disdains[鄙弃] the use of nuclear power. It is the fastest-growing city in New Zealand.
1840年,一份条约——也被视为新西兰的立国文献——承诺保护毛利人的土地,前提是毛利人承认英国的主权。在欧洲人吞并当地人的土地时,这种情况屡见不鲜,并导致种种误解、争执和小规模冲突,最终使得毛利人的土地被没收。这一历史时期遗留下来的种种分歧至今仍待解决。如今,奥克兰的社会与经济发展兴旺,并以捍卫女性权利和摒弃核能利用而著称。它也是新西兰发展最快的城市。
New Zealand spreads across two beautiful islands with Auckland, its largest city, set on an isthmus[地峡] on the western coast of the North Island. One of its most famous landmarks is Mount Eden. As the highest volcano in the isthmus, it provides spectacular overviews of the city and Waitemata Harbour.
新西兰由两座美丽的岛屿组成,最大的城市奥克兰则建立在北岛西海岸的地峡之上。伊甸山是奥克兰最著名的地标之一。作为地峡上最高的火山,在上面可以将整座城市和怀特玛塔港的风光尽收眼底。
Another lofty[高耸的] vantage point[有利位置], visible from almost everywhere in Auckland, is the dramatic Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere. An elevator whisks[突然移动] guests to the top in 40 seconds, where on a windy day the tower will sway as much as three feet.
另一个高耸的制高点则是引人注目的天空塔,几乎在奥克兰的任何一个地方都能看见这座南半球最高的建筑。塔中的电梯能在40秒内带游客飞升至塔顶。在刮风的日子里,塔顶的摇摆幅度达3英尺(0.9米)。
In the heart of Auckland’s downtown waterfront area, the New Zealand National Maritime[海事的] Museum offers 14 galleries that showcase the country’s maritime history, as well as vintage[老式的] steam and sail vessels to explore.
在奥克兰市区的海滨地区中心坐落着新西兰国家海事博物馆,里面的14个展馆展示着该国的海事历史,还有老式汽船和帆船供游人探索。
With spectacular views of the harbour, the War Memorial Museum is considered one of the finest museums in the southern hemisphere. It tells the story of New Zealand’s history and holds significant collections of Maori and Pacific island treasures, as well as examples of flora[植物群] and fauna[动物群] unique to this island country. At the museum, visitors can immediately get a historical perspective[看法] on Auckland. A Maori performance group presents songs, dances and a weaponry display typical of the culture that established New Zealand’s ancient roots. The War Museum stands at the highest point of the Auckland Domain[领地]. This is the city’s oldest park, developed around the cone of an extinct volcano.
战争纪念博物馆面朝壮美的海港风光,被认为是南半球最好的博物馆之一。它不仅讲述了新西兰的历史故事,还收藏了毛利人和太平洋岛屿的重要珍宝,以及这个岛国独有的植物群和动物群标本。在这座博物馆里,参观者能够立刻了解到奥克兰的历史全貌。一个毛利人表演团体在这里展示其文化特有的歌曲、舞蹈和武器,正是这一文化奠定了新西兰的古老根基。战争博物馆耸立在奥克兰中央公园的最高点。这里是奥克兰市最古老的公园,在一座锥形死火山边依山而建。
One of Auckland’s most popular attractions, Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World, takes guests under the city’s waterfront to see creatures of the deep. A spectacular transparent underwater tunnel puts visitors face-to-face with sharks, stingrays[刺鳐] and other marine creatures.
奥克兰最受欢迎的景点之一莫过于凯利塔顿海底世界了。它让游客们深入这座城市的海面以下观赏深海生物。一条壮观的透明水底通道让游客们能够与鲨鱼、刺鳐和其他海洋生物来一次面对面的亲密接触。
Part of the Kelly Tarlton experience includes the Antarctic Encounter, where visitors are taken back in time to a life-size replica[复制品] of the hut of intrepid[无畏的] South Pole explorer, Captain Robert Falcon Scott注3. From the vantage point of an Antarctic snowcat[雪地履带式车辆], guests get a fish-eye view of a colony[(生物)群体] of sub-Antarctic penguins as they swim underwater.
在凯利塔顿还可以体验“邂逅南极”。游客们将穿越时光,到访一座与原物一般大小的仿制小屋——那是英勇无惧的南极探险家罗伯特·法尔肯·斯科特船长曾经住过的地方。游客们还能坐上南极雪地履带车,在有利的位置从鱼眼的角度观察亚南极企鹅群在水下游泳。
Just west of downtown, the Auckland Zoo provides a look at land-based creatures. They include those native to New Zealand, as well as animals from the far corners of the world.
就在市区的西边,奥克兰动物园为游客提供参观陆生生物的机会,那里不仅有新西兰本土的生物,还有来自世界边远角落的动物。
Auckland’s stylish Parnell neighbourhood is a shopper’s paradise. A stroll[漫步] through its quaint boutique[时装精品店] and gallery-lined streets reveals that this is Auckland’s oldest suburb, with many excellent examples of 19th century architecture[建筑].
奥克兰时尚的帕奈尔一带则是购物者的天堂。在精巧别致的时装店和画廊密布的街道上漫步,沿路众多漂亮的19世纪建筑充分显示出这里是奥克兰最古老的市郊。
Once outside of Auckland, the immense[广大的] beauty of New Zealand’s green, rolling countryside is almost overwhelming[无法抵抗的]. Sheep graze[吃草] peacefully, waiting to submit[使听从] to the annual spring shearing[剪羊毛] that is a part of New Zealand tradition. The sheep are nudged[轻推] from pasture[牧场] to pasture and into corrals[畜栏] for shearing by enthusiastic sheep dogs. These special dogs are bred with an amazing herding[把……赶在一块] instinct that is enhanced by training from their owners. The canny[精明的] canines[犬科动物] respond to hand signals and voice commands to bring their charges safely in.
一旦走出奥克兰,新西兰绿意盎然、延绵起伏的广阔乡村几乎迎面扑来。绵羊在安静地吃草,等待一年一度的春季剪毛,这也是新西兰传统的一部分。绵羊被活跃的牧羊犬从一片片牧场赶至畜栏里剪羊毛。这个特殊的犬种生来就有惊人的放牧天性,经过主人的训练后得以加强。这些精明的狗儿根据主人的手势和声音命令将其照管的羊群安全赶入畜栏。
Two and a half hours south of Auckland, the Waitomo Glowworm[萤火虫] Caves unquestionably offer one of the most unusual experiences in the world. This subterranean[地表下的] wonderland is an ancient underground labyrinth[迷宫] of limestone[石灰石] caves and grottoes[岩穴]. Millions of insects in the larval[幼虫的] stage attach themselves to the roof of the cave, then emit[发出] a soft light to attract other insects for food. The awe-inspiring effect is that of a starry night.
距奥克兰南部两个半小时车程的怀托摩萤火虫洞毫无疑问能带给我们世界上最与众不同的感受。这片地下奇境是一片由石灰石洞穴和岩洞组成的古老地下迷宫。无数昆虫的幼虫依附在洞顶之上,通过散发出柔和的光线来吸引其他昆虫为食。这种令人惊叹的景象如同繁星密布的夜空。
Birdwatchers won’t want to miss a trip to the Gannet[塘鹅] Colony, where hundreds of the black and white birds roost[栖息] and lay their eggs. Viewing platforms provide a good look at the sleek[毛发光滑的] birds while keeping visitors at a safe distance.
观鸟爱好者绝对不要错过塘鹅栖息地之旅——成百上千的黑白色鸟儿在这里栖息产卵。观鸟台既为观赏这些毛发光滑的鸟儿提供了良好的视野,也将游客控制在安全距离以外。
For those who want to get a bit closer to the lovely shoreline surrounding Auckland, there are off-shore islands and secluded[隐蔽的] beaches that seem designed for your outdoor enjoyment. These impressive natural attractions join the casual sophistication[混合] of Auckland itself to make the perfect destination for any traveller.
对于那些想近距离感受奥克兰美丽海岸线的游客,近海的岛屿和隐蔽的海滩就是为了你的户外娱乐而设的。这些令人印象深刻的自然景观和奥克兰本身的休闲气质使其成为适合任何游客的完美目的地。
With beautiful beaches, enchanting[迷人的] nearby islands, hiking trails, outstanding food and wine and fascinating native heritage, Auckland offers up a non-stop array of pleasurable pursuits[活动,事务].
美丽的海滩、迷人的近海岛屿、远足小径、精致的美食和葡萄酒,以及引人入胜的本土文化传统——奥克兰为游客提供源源不断的舒适消遣活动。
注1:毛利人是新西兰的少数民族,现仅占新西兰人口的一小部分。19世纪,毛利人与抢占他们土地的欧洲人战斗,结果造成人口锐减,很大一部分原有的生活方式也遭破坏。
注2:波利尼西亚位于太平洋中南部,由超过一千个岛屿组成(包括夏威夷群岛、东加、萨摩亚和法属波利尼西亚等)。岛屿零星分布,人烟稀疏。
注3:罗伯特·法尔肯·斯科特船长(1868-1912),英国海军军官,常被称作“南极的斯科特”(Scott of the Antarctic)。为了成为到达南极的第一人,他曾两次远征南极。1912年,他和远征队一起到达南极,比挪威探险家罗尔德·阿蒙森(Roald Amundsen)稍晚,但斯科特及其队友在归途中全部遇难。他的探险日记于一年后被人发现,其中记载了那场可怕的旅途经历。