Bangkok - Floating Market and Mangrove

We traveled west of Bangkok today to visit the area of Ratchaburi set on the banks of the Mae Klong River. Our first stop was to experience the Damnoen Saduak floating market riding in a paddle boat through the canals. The colorfully clad merchants at this lively market paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit and vegetables to sell to shoppers on the banks and in passing boats. There was lots of chatter and activity. We even had to squeeze through a couple of "traffic jams". It was fun bargaining with the vendors to get the price down.

There is an extensive canal system throughout the town. Sort of like Thailand's "Venice".

Things got a lot livelier once we turned into the main market canal.

The motorized boats would push through the crowded canal. It's a wonder people don't lose a finger or two with the boats rubbing along the side.

A Krathong for today's festival.

After a while we got out so we could walk among the booths on the bank.

You could find most anything you wanted.

Talked with this girl that was hand painting porcelain. Said the booth was her family's and that she had been painting for 12 years. I bought a small box from her.

Looking down from a bridge gives you a little better perspective as to how crowded the canal could be.

I had a coconut ice cream before leaving the market. It was served in a chilled coconut shell with fresh shaved coconut strips. Delicious!

On the way to the market we drove past these salt fields. They fill up the pond areas with ocean water and when the water evaporates they gather the sea salt to sell.

We then went to a palm sugar workshop and coconut farm. They demonstrated how they collect the syrup from the palm flowers and boil it down to make brown sugar.

We were served chilled coconut milk still in the shell.

For lunch we went to a Mangrove Conservation site. After our lunch we boarded boats to cruise out into the mangrove forest. Along the way we were greeted by some sea monkeys. We had some bananas to throw to them.

Ban Khlong Khlon hosts a the largest mangrove forest in Thailand. We were given the opportunity to plant some mangrove saplings. Guess who volunteered to jump into the mud?

A funny thing happened while I was busy planting, water started hitting the top of my hat. I soon realized that since it wasn't raining it must be a monkey peeing on me. Sure enough he was up in the tree right above my head. Guess I better bring more bananas the next time so I don't piss off the wildlife! It was funny! Glad I could entertain the group.

It was fun trying to get all the mud off my feet.

Apart from the mangrove forest, the sea and nature of the village are untainted. The life of the traditional fishermen and the villagers was very evident.

On our way out of the village we stopped and talked with a family that has a business making shrimp paste to sell to restaurants and local villagers.

Drying shrimp

That concludes another day in the Bangkok area. We leave early in the morning and fly to Laos.