Bangkok, Khlong Mon
Scene 5
In order to ease the atmosphere a bit, Maille suggested taking a ride in a longtail boat. Jansson agreed. From Maenam Chao Phraya (Maenam = river)the wooden boat with its dangerously rattling diesel engine swung towards a Khlong (Khlong = channel), on the banks of which stood low-roofed houses directly at the water. Maille was reminded of the settlements in Marais der Sentores in Santa Lemusa, where everything immediate likewise took place at or on the water. The air smelled of burned diesel and of cloves - as if the engine oil was perfumed.
They glided past a floating market, past temples, schools, shipyards and dockyards. As they started to skim past more and more of a rural area, the boat picked up speed and the shores became greener and greener.