We’re up early on our last day in Bangkok. I start packing my backpack and organized my souvenirs, shower, and dress before heading out to our partially-filled minivan to drive to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. We head southwest of Bangkok for an hour and a half drive before arriving at the Damnoen Saduak Canal. This market, Lad Plee, is the most famous floating market in the region and a tourist destination for many. The floating markets were a way of life from the late 1860s until the mid-20th century when road construction eventually replaced water transportation. Today, the markets are for tourists to experience a former way of life. It’s a fascinating and exciting place to be visiting.
This being our last day in Bangkok should be no different than the other day; hot, humid, sticky, and did I say, “Hot?” Fortunately, I packed my umbrella for the sun. The umbrella shields the sun beating down on my head. We buy our tickets for 150 Baht ($4.50) for a boat ride on the canal to float among the boat dealers. This is a typical way for people living on the canal to buy produce and food, while this is also a place for the tourists to get in on the experience of living on the canals. Our boat maneuvers around other tourist boats and sellers to take us to the piers lined with shelves and shelves of trinkets, scarves, and tchotchkes. Our boatman calls out to us, “Do you want this?” or “Do you want that?” I bought an elephant key chain for 150 Baht, ($4.50) and we bought a refreshing coconut drink for 20 Baht (60 cents). It really was fascinating to be in the hub-bub of the busyness and weaving around the other boats of hopeful sellers. We were on the water for forty minutes and then walked the piers for another thirty. I just got tired of saying, “No, thank you”. I started out nice and polite about it but by the end, I’m grumpy, not polite and everyone seems so pushy. It’s time to get on a longtail.
Longtail boats are like canoes but much longer, sleeker and have an engine in the stern. They can glide on the water and maneuver easily on the waterways. We left the large canal to ride on smaller streams lined with residential homes. That’s where we saw four large lizards and crocodiles in the water, creepy and scary, along with humble dwellings and beautiful vegetation. Our time at the floating market is coming to an end but before we leave, we decide to have lunch of; veggies, rice with egg for me, chicken curry with fried egg and rice for Andy.
Our ninety-minute drive back to Bangkok was just long enough for a short nap. I have to say I hate to sleep and miss the landscape but you got to do what you have to do.
We get dropped off in the center of Bangkok. Find our location, start walking, and arrive at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. To go into the Grand Palace grounds, we each pay 300 Baht ($9). Andy can rent for free, long pants to enter this revered place. This sanctuary area of the palace is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Its official name is Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. It is exquisite. Beautiful glimmering mosaic tiles of all colors and dazzling gold tiles on most outside surface walls. Astounding, delicate architecture everywhere you look. Inside the temple, the Emerald Buddha was a bit hard to find but only because I thought it was going to be much larger. It’s a lovely 25” x 19” carved jade, sitting buddha adorned with solid gold detailing.
Outside we take pictures, enjoy the beautiful temple and surrounding palace grounds. We could have spent more time there but we need to head back to our guesthouse. We take a river boat back to our part of town, get lost but fortunately Andy’s keen sense of direction gets us back on track.
We have enough time for a delicious, refreshing fruit drink in-a-bag. Let’s face it, when I get back to the States, I’m not going to be able to buy these yummy bag drinks. I’m relaxing and journaling while Andy has an hour-long Thai massage. I don’t think I regret having one, maybe a little. I know next time it won’t be 200 Baht ($6). When Andy came out of his session, he said it was the right decision not to have the massage. It was good but rough. Not what I need for a 23-hour trip back home. Or is it?
Our last meal was street food of Phad Thai. So wonderful. Not only is it delicious but this time of night, 7 pm is the best part of the day. The warm evening, people, all around, out and about, hanging with Andy. It really is perfect. I’m going to miss this. We tried another street vendor making “pancakes”. The dough is almost like pizza dough. She has pre-made balls of dough set aside and she pulls the golf ball size of dough into a very large thin circle. Similar to the size of a large pizza. She places it on her hot griddle, unpeels a banana, slices it onto the dough, pours some evaporated milk on top of the bananas, and folds it into a square. Then she puts some oil and ”butter” around it to cook. She knows just when it’s brown to flip it, cut into pieces, serve on a waxed paper plate with two wooden skewers. Unbelievably scrumptious.
We quickly walk to Riverside Guest House to pack our backpacks and souvenirs. As we head back to the market to catch the bus to the airport, we have time for another banana pancake to share and Andy enjoys a final smoothie. This is a very bittersweet time. Looking forward to home, family, and friends. Clean water to drink and clean bathrooms will be welcomed. What I’ll really miss is; being here, here in SE Asia, people watching, new adventures, and being with Andy to name a few.
We’re at the airport with Andy at his gate and I’m at mine. It’s the longest I’ve been away and yet, too short of a trip at the same time. That’s what wanderlust is all about.
