Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Short night as we are adjusting to time change. We got up at 4 AM and Greg went for a walk while Beth started on the blog.  Greg reported that street vendors were already beginning to set up and guards, taxi drivers and others beginning to mill around.  Greg came back and watched Premier League Darts on TV!  We get a few English channels.

We met the others here in the hotel for their breakfast buffet – quite extensive with both Thai and Western foods.  Omelets, pastries, rice soup, lots of fresh fruit and much more.

Our driver, “Lek", met us at 7 AM and we headed to Ratchaburi Province to a Floating Market.  About a 50 mile drive. Traffic already heavy as we pass uniformed school children, vendors, etc.  This is a city of 7 million!  

There are policemen posted occasionally to help keep traffic moving, most of whom are wearing face masks to protect from the pollution.

Many of the businesses and shops do not open till 9AM or so but there are lots of people out.

We pass by some large flooded fields and learn that these are salt farms.  They bring the water from the oceans in and dry it to get salt.  Many people selling huge bags of the finished product along the road.   We stop by an area where they are making sugar from coconut palm nuts and selling many products made from it as well as the husks.

We arrive at the Floating Market and board a boat, similar to the longtail we rode yesterday – long and narrow to travel the canals.  At first there is just an occasional shop, then many more and many more boats as well.  Some vendors have shops along the canal and the boats (shoppers) pull up and you can shop from the boat.  Other vendors are in their own boats, selling everything from hats, purses, carvings, paintings and clothing, to Pad Thai, roasted meats, drinks and fresh fruit.  Some smile and hawk their things quietly while others are  more aggressive. There are many women amongst the boaters and sellers and some are wearing white faces which Mam says is sunblock.

At some points there are 4 or five boats abreast across the canal and much bumping and thumping as people jockey for position.  Away from the busiest parts, there are some lovely teak houses and personal residences.  Many mango, coconut palm, banana and other trees with abundant fruits. Lots of flowers as well, including bouganvilla, hibiscus, bird of paradise, and lots unidentified others. Tom buys a hat, Beth a scarf, and Mam buys some little coconut treats made from thick coconut milk which is steamed.

From here, we head back to the city and The King’s Palace, which is a huge and beautiful complex bustling with tourists and school groups.  There is some sort of military event going on in one area also, so many people in uniform.

The complex is huge and buildings are a mix of gold, intricate tile work, and statuary.  Beautiful and amazing workmanship, some of which dates back to the 1700’s.   The temple of the Emerald Buddah is here also where we remove our shoes and wonder through.  The actual Buddah is from the 1400’s and is rather small but is ensconced in an elaborate structure.  This Buddah, as well as many others, is dressed in orange robes.  The king changes the outfits of the Buddah four times a year.  There are many characters from Hindu religion as well, as the two religions of Hinduism and Buddhism are related and intertwined through the history of Thailand.  There are other buildings housing weaponry, artwork, two throne rooms and more, as well as a Government Building with offices and such.  There are Thai military guards posted periodically and their stoic expressions do not change as tourists stand beside them for photos, etc.

We return through the bustling city, including Chinatown which is lined with shops and food carts, to the hotel.  Traffic is just unbelievable with vehicles changing lanes often and driving wherever there is space.  Buses, motorbikes, scooters, tuk-tuks , cars and vans as well as an occasional bicycle jockey their way forward.  We reach the hotel in time for nice shower and rest.  It has been a very hot day, so this is welcome!

We meet again for dinner at 6PM and walk to a Thai restaurant called Taling Pling, passing by Indian, Lebanese and other restaurants en route.  Again, we order a variety of dishes and share red curries, Tom Yum Soup, asparagus and prawns, kale, pad thai, shrimp and fish cakes… some with a little spice but none very hot if you avoid those little chili peppers! Yum!