航向墨西哥
The trip of a lifetime, both on and under the water! by Pamela Osment
体验墨西哥的最佳方式就是搭船航行
Every day, cruise ships depart from different places for exotic ports of call. Earlier this year, my husband, Mike, and I were fortunate enough to be on one.
Our ship, the Norwegian Spirit, measures 268 m in length and can accommodate 1,996 guests and over 900 crew members. This floating city offers everything a passenger could want, including a golf course, a library, an Internet café, an art gallery, Broadway-type productions and much more!
Economy vs. luxury travel
In the past, luxury cruises were mainly for the wealthy, but today there’s something for almost everyone’s budget. Staterooms range from small, inside rooms to suites equipped with a living room; dining room; large, ocean-view balcony; and butler services. Staterooms range from small, inside rooms to suites equipped with a living room; dining room, large, ocean-view balcony; and butler services.
Food, glorious food!
Cruise ships pride themselves on their abundance of good food, and the Spirit lived up to that claim. With 11 restaurants to choose from, food was everywhere. The culinary event of the week arrived with the “Chocoholic Buffet"- tables loaded with chocolate masterpieces, all ready to be sampled by happy passengers.
Those who choose to go cruising on their next vacation can expect to be entertained and pampered and probably to gain a few pounds too!
"The place of the red corn"
Our first port of call, Costa Maya sits on the southern end of Mexico's Caribbean coast. After disembarking, we traveled inland to Chacchoben, one of the many Mayan ruins that have made the region famous. A 1.5-hour ride through towns, countryside and jungle brought us to a once-thriving city that now lies quietly in ruins. indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the Maya became known for their advances in mathematics and architecture, and for their highly developed calendar. Long considered one of the great civilizations of the Americas, the Maya built magnificent stone cities while Europe was still in the Dark Ages.
Chacchoben, which means "place of the red corn，" is one of those ancient cities. Even after the Maya abandoned the city, causing it to fall into ruins, local tribes continued to frequent the area, especially for hunting and farming. Despite these activities, the city basically remained unknown to the outside world until 1972 when American archaeologist Dr. Perter Harrison spotted the ruins from his helicopter. Today visitors can see six excavated buildings and can walk up the steps of the pyramids, which for the Maya represented stairways to heaven.
A diver's paradise
We arrived next at Mexico's largest island, Cozumel. Historically, the area was an important center of worship for the Maya. The region later fell into decline and remained that way until underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau discovered it in the early 1960s. Once again, the island came to life as tourists visited what Cousteau called, "one of the greatest diving destinations in the world!"
An undersea garden
To view the underwater wonders, we boarded a much smaller boat and motored an hour out to sea to reach the world-famous Palanca Reef . With snorkels on, we jumped into the warm water and began drifting above the world's second largest barrier reef system. Sea turtles and brightly colored reef fish immediately became visible.Even more impressive than the sea creatures, though, was the reef itself! The giant coral mountain looked like an undersea garden, boasting sea fans and sponges in brilliant shades of purples, oranges and other amazing colors. As tempting as it was to bring back a piece of coral as a souvenir, the reef is protected. Instead, I took lots of underwater pictures to go along with my memories of Cousteau's beloved Palancar Reef.
Did you know
How much food do people eat on a cruise ship? One ship, the Mariner of the Seas, consumes 9,000 kg of beef. 28,000 eggs and 30,000 liters of ice cream-in just one week! Of course, with thousands of passengers to feed (not to mention entertain, and make comfortable) the number of hospitality staff on a cruise ship is huge and sometimes can even exceed the number of guests.
Grammar
Cruise ships pride themselves on their abundance of good food....
to pride oneself on- "to take pride in" or "to find satisfaction in"-can use on people too Sandra prides herself on always being early at every company meeting.
Tony prides himself on always being the first to turn in his homework.
cruise (v)-going along or moving along, slow and unhurried. car cruising，巡航，周游，漫游
During our vacation, we'll cruise from Mexico to Belize and then ride a bus to the ruins.
The boat will be cruising around the Greek islands this weekend. 希腊群岛漫游
cruise (n)- a cruise take you from place to place..
Miami Florida, is a popular port of call and numerous cruise ships can be seen there every day.
*A cruise to the Caribbean has always been my dream. 加勒比海
accommodate (v)-容纳，提供膳宿
The hotel suite can accommodate five people, so you can bring a friend along on the trip.
*This hotel can accommodate over 1000 guests.
*The school dorm can only accommodate an additional one hundred students this year.
culinary (adj)-have to do with cooking or something have been done in kitchen.
Each time I return to Taiwan, I enjoy the culinary treats that I can't find in my city in America.
pamper (v)-treated with very kind and nice. 无微不至的照顾，骄宠
On her birthday, Jessica's children pampered her by serving her breakfast in bed!
*My grandparents pampered us when we were little.
*After a hard day at work, Rita pampered herself with a bubble bath.
port of call- a place the boat go in and leave
Broadway-type-classic show.
cruise ship-豪华游轮。
exotic
butler-male servant 男管家
disembark (v) -离开登岸,下船, 下飞机. dis 有离开的意思.
After disembarking in Oahu, Hawaii, we took a plane to one of the smaller islands.
*The passengers will be disembarking from deck 5. 第五甲板
*When we arrive at the gate, we'll start to disembark.
disembark+ation-disembarkation (n)-The disembarkation will start at 8:30 a.m. 从早上八点半开始离开登岸 。
thrive (v)- grow healthy and strong, very well and advance.
The thriving puppy was sick only one month ago.
indigenous (adj)- 在地的，当地的，土生土长的。土生土长那个地方用 "to"
The clothing of the indigenous people in this area is bright and colorful. 当地人的服装。。
*Kiwi is a fruit that is indigenous to New Zealand.
*The local government is trying hard to preserve the indigenous cultures in the area.保存当地的文化.
excavate (v)-挖掘，挖出。ex有向外的意思
Broken pottery from an ancient civilization was found at the excavated site.
*Tons of soil was excavated from the building site. 在建筑工地挖出好几吨的泥土
*The excavated tomb of the Chinese emperor is not open to the public.挖出的中国皇帝的陵寢
stairway to heaven-is to close to heaven, to God. Heaven is where God lives.
come to life (idiom)-苏醒过来，活躍起来, 泼起来.
The sleepy Mexican town comes to life each day after the sun goes down.
* Kate is quiet at home, but when she's with her friends, she comes to life.
* The dull party finally came to life when the band arrived.
snorkel (n)- a kind of mask you wear to help you under the water.
You need to wear a mask and snorkel when you go swimming so you can see all the fish.
coral (n)- 珊瑚，coral (adj)-珊瑚色的， a coral necklace-珊瑚项链.
The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is the largest coral reef system in the world.
* You'll find many kinds of fish around coral reefs.
* Terry wore a coral necktie with a grey shirt
tempting (adj)- create a desire.吸引人的，令人雀雀欲试的。 temp -诱惑，引诱。
It's tempting to have dessert every day, but you will gain weight if you eat too many sweets.
* The chocolate mousse looks so tempting.
* Your invitation is very tempting, but I have to pass this time.
Chat Room 1
expectation
live up to (idiom)- 符合某件事 live up to some expectation不辜负别人的期望。符合。。
live it up (idiom)-have enjoy one's life 盡情享受狂欢.
live down-将它忘掉(丢人出丑的事）.she never live her failure down.
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cruise ship-stateroom
hotel-hotel room
train-compartment
countryside/country 乡下，乡村
countryside -比较指乡下的环境。I love the countryside. The countryside is beautiful.
country- I live in the country. 我住在乡下。大都常用country
jungle- 丛林。湿地满了高树,小树丛.
concrete jungle-水泥丛林, 高楼林立,乌烟瘴气,常有暴力事件的现代城市.
corporate jungle-系列丛林,弱肉强食,形容兢争激烈的环境.
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drift off- fell asleep, doze off. If you drift off=If you fall asleep. 打盹，快要睡着了。
drift-漂流，漂泊
drift away/ drift apart=在水中缓慢漂流，越漂越远，指朋友间越来越疏远。
catch my drift -了解某人，听得懂某人所说的话。
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