体验新西兰的自然与原始之美

Escaping in New Zealand Volcanoes, Sheep Shearing and Maori Culture Await Adventurous Travelers In New Zealand, escaping means the chance to see nature as it was designed.

At Taupo, for instance; a lake the size of Singapore, surrounded by mountains, and the Huka Falls. There are few places better to enjoy this than Huka Lodge. Queen Elizabeth has recharged her batteries here.

It's one of the world's famous places to stay. Expensive? To be sure. But a lifestyle to behold. In the end, there is only one way to see Taupo. My ride has arrived.

The North Island of New Zealand has the highest concentration of volcanoes in the world. Wow! Up here the only connection you make is with nature. For the traditional people， the Maori, this land holds the greatest significance. Stan is my guide.

He belongs to the Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe. A traditional greeting, a hongi. We press our noses twice, and we usually close our eyes as a symbol of respect.

This pressing of noses symbolizes the coming together of minds, that we share the breath of life. I always think of these holy rituals as being ceremonial, but you're saying it's not, it's more than that?

No, it's a part of our everyday existence. We-I can go downtown, meet a family member, who might be buying a bottle of milk or a loaf of bread, and I'll go over and greet them. And it's usually with a hongi.

Maoris living a traditional life in a modern world. They bring the two together beautifully, for instance, when they cook. This is my lunch being cooked, heated by geothermal power.

Our food should be cooked. Yeah, we have a mixture there-sweet corn, potatoes, kumara or sweet potato, pumpkin, cabbage and marinated chicken. With the underground water at 75 degrees, these steam boxes are like ovens.

I don't know what I was expecting when I was told about geothermal cooking. But this is really quite something extraordinary-a meal, cooked right out of the ground.