Floating market

 We took the 6:30 AM airport shuttle and soon we were on the train into the city. Once at the transfer station to the metro we made our way to the appropriate location to catch the metro to the nearest station closest to where we needed to meet our tour. A short tuk-tuk ride later we were there and all for a cost for the two of us of $C8.

After a light breakfast at a nearby coffee shop we started the tour.

First stop was the train market. Somewhat similar to the train market in Hanoi this one was PACKED with people and as we SLOWLY navigated our way along the tracks we passed by a very lively market selling all sorts of things including small snakes, fish of many types and vegetables.

We ended up walking the length of the market and then went out to the street to return (just too many people crammed onto the railway tracks trying to navigate the like-minded hoards of tourists).

A signal from the nearby train station prompted all the vendors to roll up their overhead sun screens and remove any merchandise that was too close to the tracks. All the tourists hastily got off the tracks and went into either a shop or a restaurant. The train came by and we were even closer to it than in Hanoi. The train went slowly (unlike Hanoi) and we “high fived” the passengers watching us as we waved to back at them.

Next we went about one-half hour down the road to the “Floating Market” which is a town built on canals and is the last remaining market like this in Thailand. Our guide explained that these markets used to be very common but when the train system came they slowly vanished.

Our tour included a boat ride on the canals. Vendors would come along side us to sell us things. Caro bought a coconut. It was chaotic at times but everything went well. We purchased our lunch there alongside the canal after our ride (awesome as always).

It was 1 PM by now and we started the two hour trip back to Bangkok. We were let off at a big mall where Caro purchased an item she had been looking for.

This building was one we saw before being dropped off. It is now the tallest building in Thailand at 314 meters. They call it the “Lego” building

After a while we made our way to the metro station; rode it two stops; then got the airport link railway to BKK airport and then waited 20 minutes for our hotel shuttle to come get us.,

At the hotel Caro went for a swim while I had a shower.

Time to pack!