Milford Sound, New Zealand

紐西蘭的米爾福德峽灣Discover the magic and majesty of this amazing waterway 一探這令人驚豔的水道的神奇魅力與宏偉氣勢by Pamela Osment

New Zealand's narrow, icy blue waterway known as Milford Sound is often photographed and painted. Some have called the sound "the most beautiful place in the world." Yet this fiord remained a mystery to most of the outside world until the 20the century.

Nineteen kilometers long, Milford Sound is situated on New Zealand's South Island. The sea helped create the waterway when it flooded a valley of glaciers. Today, rock walls rising straight up out of the water line the fiord.


Though narrow in some spots, the fiord widens to three kilometers. The entrance at Dale Point is only 548 meters wide. This narrow entrance actually kept the waterway a secret from the outside for many years. Early explorers feared getting their ships stuck in the narrow passage and sailed by. In 1812, Captain John Grono sailed into the fiord, proving it was safe for ship travel. The opening of the Homer Tunnel in 1954 made it possible to reach the fiord by car.

Weather and wildlife
Over one million tourists annually explore Milford Sound. Many go by boat or plane. And one winding road leads to it, so people can walk or drive in. No matter how they come, everyone wants a chance to see the wildlife and stunning scenery.

With more than 182 days of rain yearly, the sound is one of the world's wettest places. Yet the rain adds to the beauty by causing waterfalls to spring up throughout the fiord. Visitors can See seals sunning themselves everywhere along the sound. The fiord is home to the New Zealand Fur Seal. One of New Zealand's rarest penguins, the Fiordland crested penguin can also be spotted. Tourists also come to see famous Mitre Peak, with its steep cliffs rising 1,692 meters. One survey named Milford Sound the world's top travel destination. And author Rudyard Kipling once called it "the eighth wonder of the world." It's no surprise then that Milford Sound is a finalist in the New7Wonders of Nature contest.

More Information:
In 1812, when Captain John Grono ventured into Milford Sound's narrow entrance, he was greeted by a vision of matchless natural beauty, Soon after, European seal hunters and fishermen began arriving. It took another 100 years, though, before the flocks of tourists appeared. In 1954, the Homer Tunnel opened, making Milford Sound accessible by automobile. Before that, the sound was only accessible by boat, plane, or foot.

Grammar Tips：
The opening of the Homer Tunnel in 1954 made it possible to reach the fiord by car.
"to make something possible"-
The invention of scuba gear made it possible for people to stay under water for a very long time.
The charitable foundation's donations made it possible for poor children to attend school.

Vocabulary Tips:
remain-stay, keep.保持不變，依然是。。
*Sam remains humble even though he's quite successful now.
*A high crime rate remains this area's biggest problem.
situate-使位于，使座落在。（常用被動語態）where is placed, place locate.
*The city government situated a bus stop near the elementary school for the students' convenience.
*The company's headquarters are situated in Denver, Colorado.
rise up-出現，興起
*The first time I went to Manhattan, I was amazed by the skyscrapers rising up around me.摩天大樓
*As we were driving, we saw beautiful green hillsides rising up in front of us.
line the fiord-"line" is mean that form a line (water)
scenery- 風景，景色，scene-現場，場景。
*The scenery along the beach is breathtaking.
*Switzerland is famous for its beautiful scenery.
scene-現場，場景
*The crime scene is located on the 11th floor. 犯罪現場。
spring up- 迅速長出don't last long, come up quickly，spring-泉，冒出，長出。
*Weeds sprang up everywhere in our backyard when we were on vacation.
*Last spring, it seemed like gourmet restaurants were springing up everywhere in the area.
destination-目的地，終點。
*Napa Valley is one of the hottest vacation destinations in California. 非常熱門的。。
*We should be able to reach our destination by noon.
*The final destination of this bus is Chicago.
stunning- very pretty, most beautiful that taking your breath away.
winding road- 彎曲不直，彎延，曲折。road is not straight, curve and move around the mountain or river.
sunning themselves- enjoy the warm feeling under the sun. let their body under the sun.
crested- has feather or fur on the top of its head. some bird, dog....
cliff- 峭壁a tall stick edges usually made of rock.
passage-connecting way, 通道。

Chat Room:
magic-魔術，
magical (adj)-不是指魔術，而是“帶有神秘色彩的魅力。
Magical time of year.
magic tricks- 不是“ magical tricks.” 魔術把戲
magic show- 一般的魔術表演。不能說"magical show"
magical show- 是具有非常魅力的魔術show。
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winding road-崎嶇的路 （waind）
wind (n)-風 （wind)
wind (v)-上發條，彎曲，崎嶇。
unwind-解開，放鬆。
feel winded- 劇烈運動之後，感到上氣不接下氣，喘不過來氣。(wind)