【精英翻譯】的部落格

Enjoy the Ride with Unique Modes of Transportation   奇特交通工具大集合

—Molly Leonard

精英翻譯社轉自http://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0058/310550/web/

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. One such necessity that has been a constant throughout human history is a means of getting from place to place. Here are a few vehicles that represent some very clever solutions to local transportation needs.

據說需要乃發明之母。人類歷史上這樣一個永恆不變的需要就是從此地到彼地的工具。這裡有幾種交通工具，展現一些聰明解決當地運輸需求非常聰明的方法。

Operating since 1875, the underground funicular Tünel in Istanbul, Turkey spans a half-kilometer between two stations—one at the top and the other at the bottom of a hill. Two cars share a single track which briefly divides in the middle of the tunnel, where the cars narrowly pass each other on each trip.

土耳其伊斯坦堡的地下纜車「杜乃爾」自一八七五年開始營運，兩站橫跨半公里，一站在山頂，另一站則在山腳下。兩列車共用在隧道中間短暫分開的單一軌道，在每趟行程中列車都在那裡擦身而過。

Part jeep, part bus, the Philippines' jeepneys are famous for their distinct, colorful decoration. Riders crowd onto two long benches inside the vehicle. Once passengers reach their stop, they simply knock on the ceiling, and the driver slows down, allowing them to hop off.

菲律賓的吉普尼一半是吉普車、一半是巴士，以其顯眼、五彩繽紛的裝飾聞名。乘客擠上車裡的兩排長椅。乘客一到站，只要敲敲車頂，司機就會減速，讓他們可以快速跳下車。

Bangkok, Thailand is sometimes called the Venice of the East, as locals make excellent use of the city's many waterways. To avoid Bangkok's notoriously dense traffic jams, try a canal taxi for a fast, economical ride. You can also check out one of the city's floating markets, where boats are used as mobile shops. Be prepared to bargain!

泰國曼谷有時被稱為「東方的威尼斯」，因為當地人善用這座城市的許多水路。要避開曼谷惡名昭彰的大塞車，試試快速又經濟實惠的計程船。你也可以逛逛這座城市的其中一個水上市場，這裡的船作行動商店使用。準備好討價還價吧！