Category: Thailand
The Floating Market
Once we indulged our appetites, we got a little bit of sleep. I knew that we wanted to be at the tour desk when it first opened so that we might have a chance to book a tour to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, something neither Nicki nor I had done on our previous trips.
As tired as I was, my internal clock must have coaxed me awake, because at 7:00 am, my eyes opened wide.
I quickly dressed and went downstairs. Since we had not booked twenty four hours in advance, we were unable to book the official Floating Market “Tour”, but we were informed that we could book a private car, longtail boat and tour to the market. Much better!
Quickly we dressed and returned downstairs to meet our driver, whom we had been informed, was to leave by 9:00 am.
Because it was a national holiday, Chulalongkom Day (the king’s birthday), traffic was horrendous. A trip that would have taken one and a half hours, took three and a half.
Finally, we arrived at the floating market and were escorted onto our boat. 
Driving through the canals, we had a taste of local life. Many houses were built on stilts and some were connected by pier walkways. As usual, the friendly locals met our passing with beautiful smiles and enthusiastic waves.
A stop at the Coconut Sugar Farm gave us insight into how…actually, I am not going to make this up. I have no idea what they do here, besides sell souvenirs and give out free samples of a coconut drink.
On we drove, stopping locals in their boats for various food items, and stopping at market stalls along the way. Nicki and Angie snagged some clothing items and carvings…since I have been craving Thai food, I had more Pad Thai and then, coconut ice cream! It was more delicious than the last time I had it!
Because we had arrived so late, some stalls were closed and there were not as many boat vendors in the canals. Still, it was an amazing experience!
After leaving the main area of the floating market, we then went for a visit to Wat Prok Charoen buddhist temple and returned to the dock for our drive back to Bangkok.
Settling In
After clearing customs, getting SIM cards for our phones and taking a taxi over to our hotel, you would think that we would have just been ready to collapse.
No…we were hungry. At 12:30 in the morning…those small gnawing hunger pains that you know will not go away in the middle of the night, unless you take care of the situation. Now mind you, we had just eaten on the plane not very long before. But, of course, it was 1:30 in the afternoon, back home and no one had informed our stomachs that we were 13 time zones away!
After settling into our rooms at the Ibis Nana and freshening up a bit, we headed out to get some food…pad Thai, for me…and good ole Chang beer!
Now that’s what I am talking about…delicious Thai food! It’s what I had been dreaming about ever since I returned last year.
You don’t need a fancy restaurant…just a little family run place!
Good food, good beer, and good friends!
Bangkok, Here We Come
After traveling 24 hours, 5 in-flight movies, 4 beers, 5 People magazines, swollen feet and entertaining a drunk Japanese man next to me…we finally made it to Bangkok!
Somehow, my body wasn’t cooperating and just did not deem sleep necessary while in flight, getting just about 2 or 3 hours. Let me tell you, being a flight attendant who always has the option to walk through the cabin and never keeping still, it’s very hard to sit in a seat and not have much movement for that long of a period of time. So, from now on, when my passengers come to my galley to have their little yoga sessions, maybe I won’t be as judgmental or chase them out!
Before our journey started…in Atlanta Hartsfield a International Airport. With Nicole Kinion and Angie Perry.
Two-thirds of the way…in Narita. Still looking pretty good after a 14 hour flight!
Finally! In Bangkok…after an additional six and a half hours of flying. Looking tired!
Let’s get this party started! Off to the hotel!