タイといえば「水上マーケット」を思いおこす人も少なくないかもしれません。私は1975年に始めてバンコクに行きましたが、この時の印 象は、バンコクは運河の町、というものでした。案内してくれた人が気を使って、バンコクをスピードボートで回ってくれ、運河を舟で走ると、そこには運河を 道路のように使う生活がありました。水上マーケットはあちこちにあったように思います。
Some people may think of a floating market as a typical Thai scenery. Indeed, when I first went to Bangkok in 1975, the life in Bangkok was very close to the canal system. I was guided through the canal on a speed boat, where the people were living alongside the canal as if the waterway were a road. Floating markets were here and there in various locations, I think.
最近は水質の汚染や、人々が運河からすこし遠ざかったせいか、水上マーケットは少なくなっています。それでも観光ルートに組み込まれることの多い、代表的 な水上マーケットがあります。バンコクから南西の方に2時間ほど行ったところに、ダムヌン・サドゥアックという水上マーケットがそれです。
ある週末の日曜日、この水上マーケットへ行くことにしました。水上マーケットは朝が勝負ですから、バンコクを早朝に出発しなくてはいけません。途中、特 産の塩田で塩を買ったりしながら、9時過ぎに水上マーケットに到着。舟をチャーターして運河を巡る。色とりどりの果物を眺めながら、おばさんの手漕ぎの ボートで風に吹かれる。なんともゆったり、のんびりの休日でした。
Lately, floating markets are getting few, due partly to water pollution and the life moving away from the canals in the metropolitan area. Nonetheless, there is a floating market famous for tourists, too. Damnoen Saduak is such a floating market located about 2 hours car ride southwest of Bangkok.
On one weekend, I set out for the market. As the floating market is busy in the morning only, we set out Bangkok early in the morning. On the way, we stopped at salt shops along the road, selling the local produce, and arrived in Damnoen Saduak at 9 o'clock. Chartering a small boat, the trip on the water was relaxing. Colorful fruits sending out smell and the breeze carry the fragrance. The boat without an engine strolls soundlessly on the water surface at the old lady's oar. What a slow and refreshing holiday!
写真をクリックすると大きな画像がみられます−
Please click on the photo to view a larger image.
Data <All images are degitized by Kodak Image Pack service.>
72-1 Samut Sakhon, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-2 Samut Sakhon, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-3 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, November 2004/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-4 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-5 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-6 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, June 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-7 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-8 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-9 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-10 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-11 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, June 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX
72-12 Damnoen Saduak, Thailand, February 2005/ Bessa R Snapshot Scopar 25mm Kodak EBX