vantage point

2012年が終わろうとしています。
Australiaの年越しについてのnewsです。

Sydney gears up for NYE spectacular

Thousands of people have gathered at the top vantage points around Sydney Harbour to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks.
More than 1.5 million people were expected to pour into the city's CBD tonight to bring in 2013.
The gates opened at Mrs Macquarie's Point at 10am and some revellers arrived around 24 hours in advance to stake out a spot.
The City of Sydney said the Opera House viewing area was full and closed as of 1pm (AEDT).
Revellers have been advised to use public transport with a number of roads closed ahead of the fireworks.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the fireworks will be watched on TV by two million Australians, and by another one billion people around the world.
The Mayor says the scene is set for eight hours of entertainment.
"We have Imagination Australia and our team, and Kylie (Minogue), putting the final touches on the effects for the bridge," she said.
Five Aboriginal primary school students have been working throughout 2012 for their New Year's tickets.
They were granted spots in the VIP tent for having the best marks and the best school attendance.
Macenzee Blakeney, 9, says she is looking forward to the fireworks.
Thousands of extra police will also be patrolling the streets of Sydney for tonight's festivities.
Authorities say they will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.
Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas says alcohol will again be a major concern, particularly enforcing alcohol-free zones around Sydney Harbour.
"We have over 3,000 police officers who are going to be deployed in relation to New Year's Eve across the state," he said.
"One thing that people need to be aware of is the number of alcohol-free zones is going to be increased significantly.
"People need to be aware if they are going into one of the zones that are going to be designated alcohol free, they should not take alcohol. It will be confiscated."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-31/sydney-gears-up-for-nye-spectacular/4448340?section=nsw

vantageは「（競争などでの）有利（な点）、強み、優越、優勢」という意味がありますが、ここでは明らかにこの意味では通じません。中期フランス語のavantage（有利、優越＝advantage）の頭音が消失して生まれた言葉だそうです。（『ジーニアス英和大辞典』）

そこでvantage pointを調べてみると、英辞朗 on the Webでは「見晴らしの利く地点、有利な地点」とあり、LDOCEではa good position from which you can see somethingとありました。

つまりthe top vantage pointsは「（Sydney Harbourで打ちあがるNew Year's Eve fireworksを見るための)絶好の観覧場所」と訳せると思います。

５年ほど前に、Sydneyに住む親戚の家のベランダからNew Year's Eve fireworksを見たことがあり、思っていたよりも壮大な花火に驚いた覚えがあります。花火を見るためにSydney Harbourではこのような騒ぎが起きていたのですね。新年を迎えるためにお酒を飲んで騒ぎたい気持ちもわかりますが、人に迷惑をかけるのはよくないですよね。マナーは守らなければいけません。
わたしはやはり日本の静かな年越しが好きです。もう少しで除夜の鐘が鳴り響きますね。新しい年を迎えるのは、いつでもわくわくしてしまします。皆様、来年もどうぞよろしくお願い致します。(Nat)