帆船之都奧克蘭

奧克蘭被稱為“帆船之都”。聽到這個稱號，大家就知道這個城市和海洋是多么密不可分。這是一個都市與海灘結合的大城市，不管你在奧克蘭的哪一個地方，不用走多遠就可以到達美麗的海灘。奧克蘭既有古老的建筑，又有現代化的游樂設施，使其成為新西蘭舉足輕重的都市。

Known as the City of Sails， delightful Auckland， New Zealand， is surrounded by the blue Pacific. An awe-inspiring[使人驚嘆的] harbour and lively waterfront provide a welcoming atmosphere[氣氛] for a visit to this scenic city and its intriguing[引起興趣的] surroundings.

Auckland is young by comparison with European cities. Archaeological[考古學的] evidence is most evident along coastlines and harbours， giving credence[證實] to the theory that the Maoris were the earliest settlers. They arrived in canoes from other parts of Polynesia， probably around 800 AD. A thousand years later Europeans appeared on the scene. And in 1840， a treaty considered New Zealand’s founding document promised protection of Maori land if the Maori acknowledged British sovereignty[主權]. As was so often the case with European annexation[吞并] of native lands， this lead to misunderstandings， conflicts and skirmishes[小沖突] that resulted in Maori land being confiscated[沒收，征用]. The ramifications[結果，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[鄙棄] the use of nuclear power. It is the fastest-growing city in New Zealand.

New Zealand spreads across two beautiful islands with Auckland， its largest city， set on an isthmus[地峽] 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. Another lofty[高聳的] 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[突然移動] guests to the top in 40 seconds， where on a windy day the tower will sway as much as three feet.

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.

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[動物群] 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[領地]. This is the city’s oldest park， developed around the cone of an extinct volcano.

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. Aspectacular transparent underwater tunnel puts visitors face-to-face with sharks， stingrays[刺鰩] and other marine creatures.

Part of the Kelly Tarlton experience includes the Antarctic Encounter， where visitors are taken back in time to a life-size replica[復制品] of the hut of intrepid[無畏的] South Pole explorer， Captain Robert Falcon Scott. From the vantage point of an Antarctic snowcat[雪地履帶式車輛]， guests get a fish-eye view of a colony[(生物)群體] of sub-Antarctic penguins as they swim underwater.

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.

Auckland’s stylish Parnell neighbourhood is a shopper’s paradise. A stroll[漫步] through its quaint boutique[時裝精品店] and gallery-lined streets reveals that this is Auckland’s oldest suburb， with many excellent examples of 19th century architecture[建筑].

Once outside of Auckland， the immense[廣大的] beauty of New Zealand’s green， rolling countryside is almost overwhelming[無法抵抗的]. Sheep graze[吃草] peacefully， waiting to submit[使聽從] to the annual spring shearing[剪羊毛] that is a part of New Zealand tradition. The sheep are nudged[輕推] from pasture[牧場] to pasture and into corrals[畜欄] for shearing by enthusiastic sheep dogs. These special dogs are bred with an amazing herding[把……趕在一塊] instinct that is enhanced by training from their owners. The canny[精明的] canines[犬科動物] respond to hand signals and voice commands to bring their charges safely in.

Two and a half hours south of Auckland， the Waitomo Glowworm[螢火蟲] Caves unquestionably offer one of the most unusual experiences in the world. This subterranean[地表下的] wonderland is an ancient underground labyrinth[迷宮] of limestone[石灰石] caves and grottoes[巖穴]. Millions of insects in the larval[幼蟲的] stage attach themselves to the roof of the cave， then emit[發出] a soft light to attract other insects for food. The awe-inspiring effect is that of a starry night.

Birdwatchers won’t want to miss a trip to the Gannet[塘鵝] Colony， where hundreds of the black and white birds roost[棲息] and lay their eggs. Viewing platforms provide a good look at the sleek[毛發光滑的] birds while keeping visitors at a safe distance.

For those who want to get a bit closer to the lovely shoreline surrounding Auckland， there are off-shore islands and secluded[隱蔽的] 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.

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[活動，事務].

美麗怡人的新西蘭城市奧克蘭被稱為“帆船之都”，被蔚藍的太平洋環繞。其令人驚嘆的海港和生機勃勃的海濱都讓游客對這座風景優美的城市及其引人入勝的周邊環境游興倍增。

與歐洲城市相比，奧克蘭還相當年輕。海岸沿線和港口的考古證據最為明顯，證明了毛利人是最早定居此地的居民這一理論。毛利人于公元800年左右乘坐獨木舟從波利尼西亞群島來到此地。一千年以后，歐洲人來到了這里。

1840年，一份條約——也被視為新西蘭的立國文獻——承諾保護毛利人的土地，前提是毛利人承認英國的主權。在歐洲人吞并當地人的土地時，這種情況屢見不鮮，并導致種種誤解、爭執和小規模沖突，最終使得毛利人的土地被沒收。這一歷史時期遺留下來的種種分歧至今仍待解決。如今，奧克蘭的社會與經濟發展興旺，并以捍衛女性權利和摒棄核能利用而著稱。它也是新西蘭發展最快的城市。

新西蘭由兩座美麗的島嶼組成，最大的城市奧克蘭則建立在北島西海岸的地峽之上。伊甸山是奧克蘭最著名的地標之一。作為地峽上最高的火山，在上面可以將整座城市和懷特瑪塔港的風光盡收眼底。

另一個高聳的制高點則是引人注目的天空塔，幾乎在奧克蘭的任何一個地方都能看見這座南半球最高的建筑。塔中的電梯能在40秒內帶游客飛升至塔頂。在刮風的日子里，塔頂的搖擺幅度達3英尺(0.9米)。

在奧克蘭市區的海濱地區中心坐落著新西蘭國家海事博物館，里面的14個展館展示著該國的海事歷史，還有老式汽船和帆船供游人探索。

戰爭紀念博物館面朝壯美的海港風光，被認為是南半球最好的博物館之一。它不僅講述了新西蘭的歷史故事，還收藏了毛利人和太平洋島嶼的重要珍寶，以及這個島國獨有的植物群和動物群標本。在這座博物館里，參觀者能夠立刻了解到奧克蘭的歷史全貌。一個毛利人表演團體在這里展示其文化特有的歌曲、舞蹈和武器，正是這一文化奠定了新西蘭的古老根基。戰爭博物館聳立在奧克蘭中央公園的最高點。這里是奧克蘭市最古老的公園，在一座錐形死火山邊依山而建。

奧克蘭最受歡迎的景點之一莫過于凱利塔頓海底世界了。它讓游客們深入這座城市的海面以下觀賞深海生物。一條壯觀的透明水底通道讓游客們能夠與鯊魚、刺鰩和其他海洋生物來一次面對面的親密接觸。

在凱利塔頓還可以體驗“邂逅南極”。游客們將穿越時光，到訪一座與原物一般大小的仿制小屋——那是英勇無懼的南極探險家羅伯特·法爾肯·斯科特 船長曾經住過的地方。游客們還能坐上南極雪地履帶車，在有利的位置從魚眼的角度觀察亞南極企鵝群在水下游泳。

就在市區的西邊，奧克蘭動物園為游客提供參觀陸生生物的機會，那里不僅有新西蘭本土的生物，還有來自世界邊遠角落的動物。

奧克蘭時尚的帕奈爾一帶則是購物者的天堂。在精巧別致的時裝店和畫廊密布的街道上漫步，沿路眾多漂亮的19世紀建筑充分顯示出這里是奧克蘭最古老的市郊。

一旦走出奧克蘭，新西蘭綠意盎然、延綿起伏的廣闊鄉村幾乎迎面撲來。綿羊在安靜地吃草，等待一年一度的春季剪毛，這也是新西蘭傳統的一部分。綿羊被活躍的牧羊犬從一片片牧場趕至畜欄里剪羊毛。這個特殊的犬種生來就有驚人的放牧天性，經過主人的訓練后得以加強。這些精明的狗兒根據主人的手勢和聲音命令將其照管的羊群安全趕入畜欄。

距奧克蘭南部兩個半小時車程的懷托摩螢火蟲洞毫無疑問能帶給我們世界上最與眾不同的感受。這片地下奇境是一片由石灰石洞穴和巖洞組成的古老地下迷宮。無數昆蟲的幼蟲依附在洞頂之上，通過散發出柔和的光線來吸引其他昆蟲為食。這種令人驚嘆的景象如同繁星密布的夜空。

觀鳥愛好者絕對不要錯過塘鵝棲息地之旅——成百上千的黑白色鳥兒在這里棲息產卵。觀鳥臺既為觀賞這些毛發光滑的鳥兒提供了良好的視野，也將游客控制在安全距離以外。

對于那些想近距離感受奧克蘭美麗海岸線的游客，近海的島嶼和隱蔽的海灘就是為了你的戶外娛樂而設的。這些令人印象深刻的自然景觀和奧克蘭本身的休閑氣質使其成為適合任何游客的完美目的地。

美麗的海灘、迷人的近海島嶼、遠足小徑、精致的美食和葡萄酒，以及引人入勝的本土文化傳統——奧克蘭為游客提供源源不斷的舒適消遣活動。