It was getting dark, but I headed for the city center. As I got close to the city center, the number of police and military vehicles increased and traffic control was also getting tight. I knew that it was the preparation for the Independence Day ceremony, but the operation was not good for sightseers. I decided to approach the site of the ceremony as close as possible.
When I passed an intersection near Independence Square, young soldiers were chatting. They might have just finished their task today. I knew that the next day was their Independence Day, but to be clear I asked them about the strict traffic regulations. Naturally they replied "They are for the Independence Day's Ceremony!". To hear that, I promptly said, "Congratulations!" Then I continued to say "I'm a sightseer from Japan. I'm sorry not to be able to step in the square today." To my surprise, one of the soldiers showed the way to sneak into the square. I was able to walk around the square! I'll show you pictures with few staff members. I was jumpy all the way in the square.
By the way, we had dinner at a Japanese style restaurant in our hotel. I wanted to visit Alor Street again, but my wife didn't want to go out. The restaurant was apparently run by Chinese and the dishes were far from Japanese.
マレーシア旅行記： 立ち入り禁止の独立広場へ侵入できた件
徐々に薄暗くなってきたが、更に中心部へ向かうと警察や軍の車両が増え、規制されている箇所が多くなった。独立記念日祝賀式典の準備であることはわかったが、独立広場などを見学できないのは観光客にとっては辛いなあと思いつつ、行けるところまで行ってみようと独立広場へ向かった。
広場横の交差点にさしかかると、若い軍人が数名、仕事を終えたのか、雑談していた。わかってはいたのだが、念のため、交通規制の訳を尋ねてみたらやはり独立記念日祝賀式典の準備だった。『おめでとうございます！！！』と即座に返答した。『ありがとう。』との返事に続けて、『初めてマレーシアに来たが、独立広場を歩けないのが残念だ』と話すと、広場内への狭い通路を教えてくれて、歩くことが出来た。良かったのだろうか？端から端まで足早に通り抜けた。緊張した。
この夜はカミさんが疲れたというのでホテル内の日本料理店で食事。よくあることだが、シナ人経営で、日本料理とは呼べないものだった。アロー街で食事をしたかったのだが、、、。最後の写真はホテル前から撮ったＫＬタワー。
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