Cross-country Road Trips – B2 English Listening Exercise

9 national park 10 camera 11 wet seaweed 12 sharp pain

13 rescue helicopter 14 passport 15 x-ray

16 special boot 17 museum 18 travel insurance

Mark: Hi everyone. My name is Mark, and I’m here to share a travel story with you that didn’t quite go according to plan. Last year, my best friend and I flew over to New Zealand for a month-long holiday. We had rented a campervan and were driving around the spectacular South Island, taking in the scenery. About midway through the trip, we decided to spend the afternoon exploring a rather famous national park on the coast. I’d actually wanted to visit a wildlife reserve that day, but we didn’t have enough time before sunset.

The coastline there is stunning, but rugged. We were clambering over some massive boulders near the water to get a better view of the ocean. I was trying to get a good shot of a seal we’d spotted. I was so focused on holding my camera steady that I wasn’t really looking at where I was putting my feet. I should have been using my walking stick to check my balance, but it was still in my backpack!

The rocks were quite treacherous in places because of the changing tides. I managed to avoid a patch of loose stones which looked dangerous, but then I stepped right onto some wet seaweed and my foot just slipped right out from under me.

I fell awkwardly down the side of the rock and instantly felt this incredible, sharp pain in my left foot. My friend rushed over and thought I had just suffered a minor sprain, but I knew straight away it was worse than that. I simply couldn’t put any weight on it at all.

Because we were quite far from the road and down a steep bank, getting back to the campervan was a nightmare. A passer-by kindly offered to call for an ambulance, but due to the difficult terrain, the emergency services actually had to send a rescue helicopter to winch me out and get me to safety. It was quite an embarrassing experience, to be honest!

I was flown directly to the emergency department at a hospital in Christchurch, which is the largest city on the South Island. I was worried they’d ask for my travel insurance documents right away before treating me, but the receptionist only needed to see my passport to register me in the medical system as a tourist.

The medical staff there were absolutely brilliant. The doctor initially suspected a torn ligament, which sounded awful and takes months to heal. However, after sending me for an x-ray, she confirmed that I had actually fractured two small bones in my foot.

I was quite upset, as I assumed I’d end up with a heavy plaster cast on my leg, which I really wasn’t looking forward to lugging around. Fortunately, the treatment for this kind of injury has evolved, and instead I was fitted with a special boot that I could even take off when I went to bed. It was surprisingly comfortable.

Of course, this completely ruined our plans for mountain hiking. We had to completely rethink our itinerary for the final week. We skipped the hiking trails and spent the next few days in a local museum instead, which turned out to be unexpectedly fascinating, despite my initial disappointment.

Looking back, I learned a valuable lesson from the whole ordeal. I used to think a comprehensive first aid kit was the most important thing to pack for an adventure trip like this. Now I realise that having decent travel insurance is absolutely the most vital thing you can have. Without it, that helicopter ride and hospital visit would have cost me a fortune!

9 ferry 10 art galleries 11 campsite 12 botanical gardens

13 live music 14 wooden mask 15 spicy noodles

16 glass-blowing studio 17 heavy rain 18 photography course

Oliver: Hi everyone. My name is Oliver, and I’m going to talk to you today about a recent trip I made to Nelson, a beautiful coastal city on the South Island of New Zealand.

Getting there was an adventure in itself. I was coming from the North Island, and I initially planned to fly down from Wellington to save time. But after chatting with some fellow backpackers, I eventually opted for the ferry, which offered some absolutely breathtaking views of the Marlborough Sounds along the way. I’m so glad I made that choice.

Once I arrived in Nelson, I took a walk around. Everyone always talks about the golden beaches in this region, and they truly are stunning, but what really struck me was the sheer number of art galleries scattered around the centre. It clearly has a thriving creative community that you can feel as soon as you arrive.

Finding a place to stay was the next task. I’d originally booked a bed in a busy youth hostel right in the middle of town. However, a friend I met on the crossing recommended a brilliant campsite just outside town. So, I cancelled my reservation and pitched my tent there instead, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful surroundings.

I’d planned my visit to coincide with the famous Nelson Saturday Market. Before hitting the stalls, though, I thought about checking out the local museum to learn some regional history. Instead, I spent a peaceful hour wandering through the botanical gardens, which were absolutely lovely in the early morning light.

Then it was time for the market. As I approached Montgomery Square where it’s held every week, I expected to be hit by the smell of street food, as there are always food trucks there. Actually, it was the sound of live music that first grabbed my attention, with a fantastic local folk band playing right at the main entrance.

The market itself was a treasure trove. There were so many souvenirs to choose from. I was very close to buying a beautiful woollen sweater, and I also really liked a delicate silver ring. In the end, though, after browsing for ages, I selected a fascinating wooden mask to take home, beautifully carved by a local craftsman. It felt truly unique and represented the culture perfectly.

All that shopping made me incredibly hungry. By lunchtime, I was starving. I saw loads of people queuing up for organic pancakes, which looked very tempting. But I really wanted something savoury, so I ended up grabbing a bowl of spicy noodles which really hit the spot and warmed me up.

With the market winding down in the afternoon, I wondered what to do next. Someone at the market had suggested visiting a local pottery workshop. However, I’d read about a glass-blowing studio nearby, and watching the artisans work with the molten glass there was absolutely mesmerizing. I stayed for over an hour just observing them.

Nelson is famous throughout New Zealand for its sunshine, so I really wasn’t prepared for the weather to turn. The forecast had warned us about potential gales, but we didn’t get the strong winds that were predicted. We did, however, get caught in some heavy rain later that evening, which forced me to retreat to my tent early!

Despite the wet end to the day, the whole trip was incredibly visually inspiring. I thought about booking a challenging hiking trip for my next adventure, but honestly, looking back at the vibrant colours and landscapes, I think I’m going to enrol in a photography course to capture these memories better next time.