Armchair Traveler: Taupo (New Zealand)

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. getaway / ˈgɛt əˌweɪ / (n.) – a place one goes to for a short vacation that’s usually out of town
    Example:

    The resort is only an hour away from the city. It’s a good getaway spot.


  2. white-knuckle / ˈʰwaɪtˈnʌk əl / (adj.) – causing fear, anxiety, or excitement
    Example:

    Jake will surely love this new roller coaster. He enjoys white-knuckle rides at amusement parks.


  3. bank / bæŋk / (n.) – the raised area found along the edge of a stream, river, etc.
    Example:

    We camped by the bank of the river so we can easily fish for dinner.


  4. crisscross / ˈkrɪsˌkrɔs / (v.) – to create a pattern with lines crossing each other
    Example:

    The subway system can be hard to understand because the train lines crisscross each other.


  5. geyser / ˈgaɪ zər / (n.) – a hole in the ground that releases hot water and steam into the air
    Example:

    The geyser releases water 75 feet into the air.


Article

Read the text below.

The Taupo region is one of the most popular weekend getaways for New Zealanders in the country’s North Island. It offers enough outdoor activities to satisfy the most adventurous of travelers. And the views of Tongariro National Park from across Lake Taupo are priceless.


Before you go, book a spot on a jet boat ride of the Waikato River. Experienced drivers will zip you along at a white-knuckle 80 kilometers per hour, pulling 360-degree spins and taking you close to the banks. The 30-minute experience ends at the foot of Huka Falls — a small but powerful waterfall. Wave to people on the observation deck. Later, you can visit the deck yourself to see the massive volume of water passing through Huka Falls from a different angle.


There are other lookouts onto the river, and several easy trails that take you and your kids into the bush. In fact, trails crisscross the whole area. One of the best is a 90-minute walk from Spa Park to Huka Falls and back.


Families can spend some time at Spa Park, soaking in the geothermal hot pools, but if you love hot pools, arrange a stay at a resort hotel at Wairakei. The resort offers spectacular terraces and geysers — all artificial — and milky blue hot pools as warm as 44 degrees Celsius. Bring your own swimwear.


Finally, take a cruise on the lake to the rock carving in Mine Bay by Maori artist Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell. This labor of love was finished in 1980 in the likeness of Ngatoroirangi, who, according to Maori legend, guided his people here thousands of years ago from across the Pacific. (T)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The author mentioned several activities that people can do when they visit the Taupo region, such as booking a spot on a jet boat ride at the Waikato River, spending time at Spa Park, and taking a cruise on the lake to the rock carving in Mine Bay. Which activity would you like to try the most? What about the least? Why? Discuss.
  • Families can spend some time at Spa Park, soaking in the geothermal hot pools. They also have artificial ones in Wairakei. Which do you prefer, natural tourist spots or artificial ones? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The rock carving in Mine Bay was created as a labor of love by Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell. In your opinion, what does it mean when something is created as “a labor of love?” What would you be willing to do as a labor of love (ex. teach someone a new skill, cook for loved ones)? Why? Discuss.
  • What labor of love has someone done for you (ex. cook a special meal for you, take care of you while you were sick)? How did you feel about it? Discuss.