Guiding commentary is an activity to give information a lot of things. A guide gives comment on the attractions at the sides of the roads, the landmarks, the condition of the road, previewing the attractions or places of interest to visit. A guide is also ready to give historical, political or other (background) information, jokes to the tourists.
Study the following expressions
- It will take … minutes to go to …
- Now we are approaching …
- We are now directing south
- We are now directing north to …
- We are heading west.
- On our left is … and our right side is …
- On your right, we can see …
- If you look over to the right, you can see …
- Alright, now we are on ….
- We are now entering Jl. …
- We have here on your left …
- Ladies and gentlemen, in front of you is …
- On the same side we also have …
- We are approaching a very attractive …
- We will be here for … hours.
- Welcome to …
- Now ladies and gentlemen, we are arriving at …
- It is time to get off the bus.
- Watch your step.
- Mind your head.
- Be careful with your steps.
- Before we start, I’d like to tell you about the route.
- Thank you for your attention ladies and gentlemen.
Study each of these dialogs.
Guide : Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of Java Tour and travel, I welcome you to Malang. My name is Raditya and I will be your city tour guide today. Mr. Budi will be our bus driver. Now let me start by distributing your name tag. Please raise your hand as I call you.
(Distributing name tag)
Tourist : I still don’t get the name tag.
Guide : Oh… here you are, Sir. Thanks
Tourist : You’re welcome. Does everyone get the name taq?
Tourist : Yes.
Guide : ok… ladies and gentlemen. Let’s start our city tour from Malang city hall as you see on your left side. It is located on Jalan Tugu which is an old Ducth building and the charming ‘aloon-aloon bunder’ is staying in front of the building as you can see on your right side. The city hall was built in 1929. Now we are heading to Majapahit Street. There is one of oldest hotel called splendid in hotel located on you right side. On the left side is Malang Recreation Park. A lot of kids visit that place to spend time for swimming. They only pay about Rp. 2000 as entrace fee. It’s quit cheap.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are now on the center of the city. In few seconds, we will stop at Toko Oen restaurant for lunch. Then we will continue the city tour and go around the Ijen Boulevard. Ladies and gentlemen, now we are arriving at Toko Oen Restaurant. Please mind your step when you get off the bus.
Tourist : Ok. Thank you.
Study the guiding commentary on destination. Practice the dialogue below with your partner.
Guide : Good Morning. Now we are at Tugu Monument as landmark of Malang. As you see, the monument is surrounded by beautiful garden that grows any kinds of flowers and a pond in the middle. Please, take a look some lotus in the pond. They are beautiful, aren’t they?
Tourist : Yes, they are. Do you know when Tugu Monument was built?
Guide : Yes, I do. Tugu Monument was builton August, 17th 1946 by Tugu Independence committee lead by A.G Soeroto. First stone was laying down by East Java’s deputy governor Mr. Doel Arnowo, on July, 21th 1947. The construction of Tugu monument was disturbed because the Dutch colonial came to the town and collapsed on December, 23th 1948. When it was authority restitution era from the colonial to the Indonesia’s government, Tugu construction committee develops this monument again, it was on June, 9th 1950. On May, 20th 1953 or in National Resurrection day the Tugu Monument was inaugurated by president Soekarno.
Tourist : Was he the first president of Indonesia?
Guide : Yes, he was. Don’t you know that every side of Tugu Monument has ameaning.
Tourist : Oh!! Tell me about them.
Guide : They are:
- This bamboo delineate weapon used by Indonesian to fight against Dutch and sacrificed their life to gain independence.
- The chain is the symbol of Indonesia united in one spirit to gain independence that can’t be separated.
- The stairs feature 4 and 5 corners delineate year when Indonesia gained independence.
- Star with 4 levels and 17 bases delineate date and month of Indonesia Independence.
- The monument is located in the mid of pond that is decorated with lotus flowers of white and red color, symbolize courage and purity of the heroes.
- On the bamboo length, there is Indonesian map and face of Bung Karno and Bung Hatta reading proclamation text.
Tourist : Well… nice story to tell. What is the building in front of Tugu Monument?
Guide :That is Malang city hall. Then next to it is Provincial Council & Municipal Council.
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