Back on a tour today out to witness the infamous railway and floating markets.
Our first port of call was Mae Klong where we discovered local fresh goods being sold along the tracks of a functioning railway track. It was truly amazing to watch as the public train comes through the market and the vendors pull aside their tents, umbrellas, stalls and fresh foods to allow for room for the train to pass in between the stalls and the tracks.
The train market made for some great photos and videos that shows the craziness of a train only inches from the watching crowds on each side of the track. Truly a memory that will stay with us for a long while.
We then went to visit the fresh local wet market, famed because the floors are forever wet! We walked through the narrow walkways between the stalls selling a host of fresh fruits, vegetables, dried shrimps, fresh fish and meats and many prepared takeaway meals sold daily to the locals and tourists alike.
The night market opens to the restaurant and wholesalers at midnight with the locals arriving at 5am each day to buy food and prepare it before the heat of the day takes hold.
After the market we drove for 30mins to the Damnoen Saduak floating market. It’s been an active place to trade for the locals over the last 150 years. We took a typical paddle boat to discover the market and sail along the various canals that stretch for over 40 miles all the way back to Bangkok.
We got to see how the locals buy and sell from the boat to boat. You name it, they sell it, although the majority now target the tourist spend selling gifts and trinkets, as well as food and beer.
The vendors on the banks of the river were cleverly using sticks to draw our paddle boat in to try and sell us their wares and battering was happening in seconds as we passed on by. So atmospheric and welcoming.
After 40mins on the paddle boat, we then explored spent some time back on land walking the narrow streets, tasting local products and observing the locals in their daily life.
Before we left for our 2hr drive back to Bangkok city centre it was time for a quick comfort break and Andy came across this sign. Something definitely got lost in translation.
After a little snooze in the coach, we eventually returned to the city around 4pm and decided to walk the 2.5 miles back to the hotel across the Chaophraya River taking in the sights and sounds of the local suburbs.
Before we started we briefly popped into the ICONSIAM, another huge themed Thai food hall and giftware store.
The walk across the river gave us great views over the city and within a hour we were back at Asai Hotel in Chinatown.
As this is our last night staying in Chinatown we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at a restaurant called Naam 1608 which looks out over the river and has a fantastic reputation for great Thai cuisine.
When the food arrived it looked and tasted so very good and with the backdrop of the river and sunset it made for a great way to finish our stay in this part of Bangkok.
As we walked back after dinner, we both agreed that Bangkok has grown on us over the last few days and it has definitely got an appeal that will draw us back to the city in the future.
Tomorrow is a big day, as our daughter Amelia is heading out for a 2 week stay now that she’s finished her first year at University. We are meeting her at the airport and after two nights at the Night Hotel in a trendy part of Bangkok we will be flying down to Krabi and Koh Samui for some much needed catching up time and relaxation. So looking forward to it.
@travellingwiththeateam 