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Day 2: Floating Market
2008.09.14
The FLOATING MARKET is almost two hours from Bangkok. So, instead of going there by bus, I decided to take the tour which my hostel is recommending fro Baht 550---which makes sense and a fair price to me.
Anyway, we arrived there around 9:30 in the morning and after checking out the toilet in the bus terminal, our guide hurriedly settled us in a boat ride to the Floating Market.
And to get a better view or the first view, I sat on the front seat of the boat.
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The FLOATING MARKET is almost two hours from Bangkok. So, instead of going there by bus, I decided to take the tour which my hostel is recommending fro Baht 550---which makes sense and a fair price to me.
Anyway, we arrived there around 9:30 in the morning and after checking out the toilet in the bus terminal, our guide hurriedly settled us in a boat ride to the Floating Market.
And to get a better view or the first view, I sat on the front seat of the boat.
1
Houses on the river side are just few inches from the water. I can't imagine how they manage during this rainy season.
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Houses on the river side are just few inches from the water. I can't imagine how they manage during this rainy season.
2
And ah, who would not love this view?
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And ah, who would not love this view?
3
It's like Venice in Italy--only that the houses are made up of wood and there a lot of long, winding wood bridges on the side.
P.S.
I've never been to Venice. ;)
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It's like Venice in Italy--only that the houses are made up of wood and there a lot of long, winding wood bridges on the side.
P.S.
I've never been to Venice. ;)
4
The first woman-paddler we saw as we approached the market. Nope, they're not vegetables but potted flowers for sale.
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The first woman-paddler we saw as we approached the market. Nope, they're not vegetables but potted flowers for sale.
5
We took the boat ride for 20 minutes for Baht 150. For better pictures, walk around the canals instead of taking the boat ride.
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We took the boat ride for 20 minutes for Baht 150. For better pictures, walk around the canals instead of taking the boat ride.
6
For a lot of us tourists, this floating market is just another tourist attraction in Thailand.
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For a lot of us tourists, this floating market is just another tourist attraction in Thailand.
7
But, when I saw these old women paddling hard, there's nothing to be attracted about it---only thoughts of how hard this job must be for them.
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But, when I saw these old women paddling hard, there's nothing to be attracted about it---only thoughts of how hard this job must be for them.
8
For them, it's about survival. Hard labour---as the river waves dance to and fro.
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For them, it's about survival. Hard labour---as the river waves dance to and fro.
9
Tourist go there to see how and what's it like there. Only very, very, very few would bother to buy stuff sold by these women in floating boats.
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Tourist go there to see how and what's it like there. Only very, very, very few would bother to buy stuff sold by these women in floating boats.
10
They sell everything---from food to souvenirs to fruits and vegetables.
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They sell everything---from food to souvenirs to fruits and vegetables.
11
I want to help them in my little way---to buy something but, the prices of the stuff they sell just turned me off. It's like 3-4 times more expensive than the ones in Bangkok.
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I want to help them in my little way---to buy something but, the prices of the stuff they sell just turned me off. It's like 3-4 times more expensive than the ones in Bangkok.
12
The river traffic is dead serious. It was bumper to bumper. It was amazing how they smoothly passed by each other without any damage at all.
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The river traffic is dead serious. It was bumper to bumper. It was amazing how they smoothly passed by each other without any damage at all.
13
She's tired of barking her stuff.
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She's tired of barking her stuff.
14
Happy tourists on the boat.
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Happy tourists on the boat.
15
One the very few men I saw on the river boats.
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One the very few men I saw on the river boats.
16
She's taking a break by self-massaging her foot.
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She's taking a break by self-massaging her foot.
17
The boat ride was great.
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The boat ride was great.
18
He's cooking some kind of breakfast food made of flour.
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He's cooking some kind of breakfast food made of flour.
19
Fresh fruits, anyone?
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Fresh fruits, anyone?
20
Traffic. Traffic. Traffic.
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Traffic. Traffic. Traffic.
21
his is where the boat ride ends. All boats take a u-turn here.
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his is where the boat ride ends. All boats take a u-turn here.
22
Bananas, bananas, bananas....
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Bananas, bananas, bananas....
23
....and more bananas. :))
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....and more bananas. :))
24
Congested.
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Congested.
25
A tourist asked what's she selling and how much.
And oh yes, she speaks business English, too!
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A tourist asked what's she selling and how much.
And oh yes, she speaks business English, too!
26
I like this shot. Look at the positions of the two women.
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I like this shot. Look at the positions of the two women.
27
The river, I think is just 8-10 meters wide.
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The river, I think is just 8-10 meters wide.
28
She's taking a lunch break.
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She's taking a lunch break.
29
Flowers, anyone?
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Flowers, anyone?
30
See you in Cambodia tomorrow!
16
Comments
oh! glad to see that you are already posting!
i am amazed that you are getting this out here to share so soon.
This post is really interesting, so different from our local market! They must have such good balance not to wobble the boats and tip their produce into the water.
great!great set! i love all yours pics and add 17 in my favs...you report so well the atmosphere, and i appreciate your comments under each pic. good thoughts about tourists...they look like a bit ridiculous...but necessary somewhere...thanks to share it!
I never knew this existed. It's amazing. What a wonderful experience you're gaining there and sharing, so fabulously, with us. This is a great post! Have a safe trip! :)
