I was unwilling to pass up the chance to see a floating market in Bangkok, and it was really nice to visit Talingchan Floating Market. As we weren't able to speak the local language, it would be troublesome to use the public transportation system. I was deeply thankful for my friend's company car. By the way, our next destination was Wat Arun. To tell the truth, we didn't have any sightseeing plan apart from the floating market.
On arriving at Wat Arun and getting out of the car, I involuntarily let out some Japanese words, meaning "magnificent". I wasn't immediately able to find a word to express its beauty and solemnity. The reflection of the sunlight was beyond description. The sun-reflecting tower rang a bell with the brightness. "The temple must be the subject of the novel 'Temple of the Dawn' by Yukio Mishima." It was long ago that I read the novel and I hardly remembered the story. I should have read it before the trip. Regrettable. Excuse me for repeating, but the temple was really beautiful. A part of the tower was under renovation. I hope that it will be preserved eternally for our descendants.
I climbed up to the what you call terrace, and viewed the Chao Phraya river. Lots of small boats were running on the river. I wanted to get on one of them, and asked my friend. He was already going to take us to the opposite side of the river. Wow!
(Vocabulary)
Chao Phraya チャオプラヤ川
水上マーケットは見逃せないと思っていたのでタリンチャン水上マーケットへ寄れたのは良かった。マーケットへの移動に公共交通機関を使うと面倒だったと思うので、これも現地の友人に助けられた。次に向かったのはワット・アルン。実は水上マーケット以外、どこを見て回るのか全て友人任せで何も考えていなかった。ミニバンが止まったところで上を見上げて驚いた。何と美しい寺院なのかと。そして思い出した。この寺院は三島由紀夫の小説『暁の寺』ではないのかと。読んだのは随分前のことであらすじをかすかに覚えている程度。こんなことなら読み直してから来るべきだった。実に美しい寺院で一部修理中だった。いつまでも大切に保存して欲しい。テラス部分とでも呼べば良いのか、登ることを許されている最高点まで登ると川が見えた。チャオプラヤ川だ。多くの船が行き来してる。あれにも乗ってみたいな～と思いながら降りると、ここからはミニバンを帰して船で移動するとのこと。やった～
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