Hello peeps!
I hope you guys had a wonderful time during the weekend just like I did!
One of my classmate, Framm has been nagging at us throughout the last 2 weeks of school to visit the Floating Market sometime soon before Shanna and Sonya return home. Alas, the stress of the exam was weighing too heavily on our minds, and we didn't managed to go together as a big group at that point of time.
Fortunately, due to an upcoming Public Holiday in Thailand, I had Monday and Tuesday off. Coupled with my Fridays being free anyway, we have ourselves a long 5 day weekend!
My uncles initially was on their way to surprise me and fetch me back to our hometown for a visit, but was turned away by the traffic blockage along the highways due to some protest. =(
Anyway! Doink, Mew, Framm and myself arranged to meet on Saturday to do some serious sight seeing!
We met at Victory Monument BTS Station, and from there, we took a mini van service (70baht/pax) about 1.5hr drive to Maeklong. Along the way, the van stopped occasionally to drop passengers off, but we reached our destination in no time!
It was by good fate that around the time we reached the station, it was about only 10 minutes more before the next train arrives; usually there will be many tourists crowding around and just waiting for hours!
There were some students on school excursions, but mainly tourists with their umbrellas and hats to shield themselves from the light drizzle and cameras on standby mode. The weather was really nice that day, windy and cooling after a nice rain shower.
The above picture, my friends, had me on tenterhooks! This picture was taken after the loud speaker boomed with announcements that the train will be approaching the platforms in another 3 minutes. Considering the fact that these people are standing right on the tracks, they don't seemed to feel the urgency or the need to move away and stand by the side!
Believe me, on the right side was the pole being lifted down to stop the traffics on both, so there's plenty of cars on both sides. If they were to last minute evacuate, I don't know if there will be enough space to duck or not.
As for me, I was safely in front of the goldsmith shop, by the sides.
Which will also mean that the following image of the train wasn't taken by me. Because I am a timid freak, duh! I took these photos from Framm.
"Oh, it's just another day at the market!".
I didn't know previously that there will be curious people onboard the train taking photos too! Now, I know.
After the train sighting, we took a bus down to our second destination; Amphawa to visit the Floating Market! The bus ride costs us 10 baht/pax and was slightly stuffy, and half of the time, an old man in his late 50-60s was chatting to Mew in Chinese and all after hearing us talked in Chinese.
After some 20 minutes or so, we reached our destination! This signboard is just right outside of a toilet, the bus alighted us along the road where we walked pass a waiting point for van services back to Bangkok (The BTS), cut across a carpark and past the toilet.
The below image isn't exactly the view you'll see after walking past the toilet. The route will lead you to the boardwalk in the heart of the Floating market. Shops after shops along the river.
See those yellow huge umbrellas? There are tables and small stools on the steps where people can take a seat, order their food and the hawkers will prepare the orders from the floating sampans!
That, my friends, was where we decided to have our late lunch.
We ordered quite a number of dishes, considering the fact that we just endured some 2-3hours of total journey time to get here!
Chicken Satay and freshly grilled scallops with the thai lime tangy dressing.
Pad Thai with the odd colouring (Not very good) with the freshly gripped soft and tender squid.
Vermicelli Prawn noodles with mushroom stock and a grilled sea bass.
Rice with baby shrimps omelet and Papaya salad with preserved fish stock; one of my favourite variation of papaya salad.
The lunch was definitely the highlight of my trip. We were seated just by the edge of the river. Yes, granted that the river is mud-colored and all, but the experience was worth it!
The four of us took a stroll from one end of the boardwalk to the other end, cross the numerous bridges, walked again on the other side of the boardwalk from one end to the other. Along the way, we couldn't help but buy snacks and drinks and oogle at what the retailers has to offer.
Framm was excited at the cotton candy one of the stall was selling and bought quite a few cups of it.
I was happy with the food choice obviously. There's chives steamed dumplings with sweet soy sauce on the left, and traditional sweets on the right, packed in clay ware.
I squealed with joy when I saw this aunty and her cuttlefish cart. I remembered having these on the trips back with mum during my younger days. Ben and myself also had one when we were in Koh Samui for our honeymoon.
The aunty would take one of your preferred priced cuttlefish, BBQ it on that charcoal stove and then run it under the pasta machine twice to elongate the cuttlefish and sort of cut it and makes it easier for you to pull and consume, bit by bit. (Silly me, I forgot to take a photo before attacking).
Then, we went to one of the boat charters offering different packages for the sampan boat ride. There was a dessert stall next to them, selling warm traditional gooey desserts with coconut milk. I had yellow beans with coconut strips and coconut milk. Delicious!!!
We charted a sampan boat for 600 baht for a tour around (about an hour or so) for sightseeing and to watch the fireflies along the banks of the river. It was scheduled at 6.30pm, and at 4 plus, we still had time to spend, and we spend it walking around.
Along the river, you will find vendors like the one on the right peddling their goods.
A view from the bridge.
Mini shopping area - I overheard some Singaporeans commenting that " JB sells better stuff", and can't help but chuckle. Well, honey, I'm pretty sure that some of those stuff from JB comes from Thailand!
More sweets along the way... The yellow balls are made of egg yolks, sugar and nut/lotus/bean paste, if I am not wrong!
More boats along the river.
More FOOD along the river, duh! Mainly seafood though, I saw one table with crab shells all over and I wanted to have crabs for dinner! But we were pretty full from snacking along the way to have another proper meal.
So, we ended up back that the boat charter, had drinks at the cafe next to it while waiting for time to pass.
Usually, I don't drink beer. I prefer wines and champagne and cocktails over gassy beer anytime of the day, but the moment felt right, and having walked for a really long time, cooling off with a nice chilled glass of beer felt really good! I had less than a glass though, beer made me feel bloated and I blurb a lot.
Just a receipt for our boat ride!
Lo and behold! Check out our floating ride!
The uncle was waiting for us and we hop on in a jiffy, put on our super hot pink life vest and moved along.
There was a few floating debris here and there, nothing too serious, but people, please be considerate and not litter. I'm super irritated with litter bugs. I cannot stand anyone around me littering and not walking a few more steps or even try to look for a dustbin.
Casually cruising down the river to the mouth of where it all begins.
It was such a surreal moment, you're just one arm length away from the water, the sampan is vibrating and zapping on the water going fast, slow, fast, slow. People walking around on the boardwalk, the residents is still selling their goods, and as night falls, they started belting out songs from their DJ console as if they are some singer.
We past by some temples, and the tour boat also includes some sight seeing at the temple (they will drop you off and wait), but we decided to skip that.
Little kids in front of their houses, pleased to see us and excitedly waved at us. But I think it could also be because Mew was excitedly waving at every passing house, boat and all like she is Miss Thailand 2013. HAHAHAHA!
Passed by this resort which have not one, but 3 iron man suits!
Soon after, the sun begins to set and we were going at a slower pace.
I think that was one of the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen. It was pink, orange and blue at the same time. Pictures doesn't do it justice, you've got to see it with your own eyes to feel the magic. *glittery teary eyes*
Along the way, we saw this fishery, according to the uncle, they breed sea bass here and some of the other fishes, the water in this area is where the sea water and river water meets. It is also, according to Doink, where crocodile loves to be at. *gulps*
Then night really falls this time, it was pitch dark, we saw bats flying really low and close to the water surface, and we were really near to the trees near the banks of the river.
You know, those scenes from movies and drama serials on fireflies and how they fly around you and looked so glowing and green? It wasn't like that.
It was more like shimmering light bulbs wrapped around a Christmas tree. It was nonetheless beautiful, but I was like, okay, lets go home already after half an hour into it. No photos because when we tried taking any, all we get is darkness. It was really dark! But it was a experience worth experiencing, I would say.
Overall, I had such a great time with my friends, it was beautiful, a very enjoyable experience and even my mum has never been to the floating market was pretty excited at my story telling.
Just had to put up that last picture even though it was blurry; because it's full of hearts!
Okay, that's all I have for now!
Till then!
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