Rise and Shine! Was up and awake at 6am+ (Thailand time so in Singapore time is about 7am+) in the morning without any alarm or distraction. I just wake up on my own. Quite amazing given the fact that back in Singapore, I usually need to get screamed at from my mum a couple of time before I dragged myself up from bed. Perhaps, the thought of having to get up early to visit the floating market excites me much much more than the thoughts of going to work.
We were lucky or should I say unlucky (and I said unlucky cause perhaps if it was a metered taxi, it might be cheaper going by the meter. It's about an hour and half drive out of Bangkok according to the driver) that we met a taxi driver who greets us warmly right at the moment we stepped out from our hotel (we seems to be targeted). He suggested that we go to the floating market and he would be kind enough to bring us there at a flat rate of 1,000 THB (SGD 42) and also to bring us back. Our plan was also to visit the floating market and have breakfast there so we thought why not?
Throughout the whole journey, we didn't really converse much with the driver. He claimed that he didn't know much English. The only time he started introducing a bit of Thailand to us was when we passed by this place. He suddenly mentioned to us that this is a big plot of land used to harvest salt.
The other occasion that he talked us was to ask us for money to pay for the fares for the expressway.
We arrived at the Damnern Saduak Floating Market about 9.30 am. Weather is great.
We were first greeted and given a complimentary coconut juice.
It didn't take us too long to find out why the coconut juice is served to us complimentary! Guess how much is the ticket to tour the floating market on this motorized boat? It's a whopping 3,000 THB! (I know some boat only charged a few hundred THB) but how could we say no when we were already there and have drank their coconut juice? So even though it's so pricey, we still smile and try to enjoy the boat ride. The guy who sold us the tickets is actually a Westerner. Should be under some organisation again.
The first part of the boat ride was quite a nice experience. We went inside the swampy area before our eyes got fascinated by the sight of the settlement in this area. They were really doing their daily household chores by the river. I witness the old lady washing bowls by the river and another young lady washing her hair by the river but she went inside the house the moment our boat passed by. I really wonder how they get on with their everyday life. Have they ever stepped out of this place? Have they visited Bangkok, the City Life? Too bad, we didn't know their language and can't communicate with the driver of the boat too. It was just a quiet ride.
Our boat stopped by this coconut sugar farm and we alight to tour the inside.
We got another complimentary drink. Made from fresh coconut sugar. Super sweet and refreshing.
The process of cooking the coconut sugar.
We crossed over to the place where they sell merchandise. We didn't even bother to ask the price since it would sure be much more expansive to buy here.
Found one nice hat which kinda suits me. After posting for this photo, we went back to the boat to continue our journey.
 |
As our boat speeds on, the quietness of the settlements area was soon replaced by the hustle and bustle of the floating market. I was really amazed by the colorful and beautiful items that was sold there. Every shop lined up by the side is selling souvenirs, clothing and even shoes and bags. It was so congested when we reached the heart of the floating market. Tourists were taking their cameras and snapping around. Noticed that few actually bought things here except food.
For food, it's usually sold on the movable boat. When we saw the food that we liked to buy, we would gesture to the driver to stop the boat. That's how we ordered our food on boat and eat our food on boat too.
Moving on to next stop.
A small temple that seems like it's still undergoing construction works.
The journey back is extremely fast and furious. Water keep splashing onto us but the driver don't care. He seems to be in a rush to go back.
When we reached the starting point, we were again given a free drink and also something new. Clever them have followed the Hong Kong's style of making even more money apart from the admission fee and that is printing out our photo and pasting it on a plate. It's hard to reject and say don't want it since they've already printed it so we bought it at 200 THB. Seriously we didn't even know when this photo was taken. That's why none of us even look into the camera. So this memorable plate marks the end of our Floating market experience. In my opinion, I felt that it's a place that one should visit but please do more research so that won't end up paying such a high price.
***************************************
The taxi driver wanted to bring us to another place of interest which is the elephant park. We didn't heed his suggestion as it's noon time and I wanted to shop. We told him to drive us back to Platinum Fashion Mall and we fall asleep on the cab, Halfway, woke up and we were stuck in a massive jam. Finally, we reached our first shopping destination - Platinum Fashion Mall! Guess what, the taxi driver is still thick skin enough to ask us for TIPS!! My goodness, he was the one who request that flat rate in the first place and thanks to him, we took a very expansive motor boat to tour around the floating market. Of course we didn't gave him any tips.
The weather is getting hot so we've decided to get something cold before we start our shopping journey. It's super nice and generous with the toppings. Yum Yum.
Platinum Fashion Mall is like Far East Plaza in Singapore except that it's probably 5 times bigger and 5 times cheaper! No joke. Every shops is particularly selling clothes at 100 THB each (SGD 4)! No wonder everyone is lugging those extra big reusable bag with wheels. Must be travelling here to buy and sell at for a high profit back home. Everything is so cheap that I got headache on what to buy actually. My friends are right, it's a lady's paradise but not so much for the guys. Big sized guys is even harder. We only spotted one shop selling clothes for the XXXL size at the basement.
Hello. สวัสดี Sawadee. Even Western Ronald McDonald adopt the Thai greetings.
This is our lunch. Only in Thailand do they sell Tuna Pie. It's so nice, I wish Singapore also have.
On our way to MBK.
Woohoo. We spotted this one and only make-shift stall selling FRIED INSECTS! I see tourists aiming the camera at the insects but none bought to eat. We didn't try too. I just can't imagine putting those detestable crawlies into my mouth. No, I can't.
We went by foot from Platinum Fashion Mall to MBK. What we planned to do at MBK is massage and hair cut and to buy phone casings.
Hot tea after Thai Massage at level 6 - Relaxation Massage and Spa. Walked pass the Fashion Zone but the clothes here are are all tees and cannot be compared to those at Platinum Mall. I didn't managed to buy any clothes here but bf bought one tee for himself and his guy friend.
Our dinner. Thai noodle. So many sauce to choose from. It's a buffet style but we are not very used to their sauce. I got one that is too spicy to my liking. At the other table are two Ang Mo ladies. They too found the sauce too spicy. The waitresses are so nice to them, keep giving them the ice water and helping them to choose the correct sauce.
Both bf and I went to get a haircut here at Neo Hair Stylist (level 3). I looked different (neater) as after they've trimmed my hair, they also did a change to my hair parting which requires lot of hair spray and styling. I know this look won't be permanent as my usual parting is in the middle and once the spray is washed off, the parting would went back to the center again.
We didn't stay to watch as it's drizzling again and was so tired after a whole day out.
What we've bought today. For myself, for my friends, for my colleagues, for my family. Normal iPhone casing are super cheap at around S$4 each at level 4 of MBK. Those special one would cost slightly expansive. I think next time I can buy in bulk and sell them back in Singapore. One Cath Kidston case would cost about S$6-10 depending where you bought it at.
2 comments:
great shots & commentary! ;)
Thanks :)
Post a Comment