Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: Thailand



After stopping at the Maeklong Railway Market, we continued on our day tour with our local guide to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This floating market is situated about 100km southwest of Bangkok in Ratchaburi province.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is flocked with tourists, making it a chaotic yet colourful attraction. Market vendors are on stalled or moving boats, selling a huge range of goods from fruits to soup noodles to handbags and an endless assortment of souvenirs. We take a boat ride along the canals, stopping an amazing noodle boat, spice stalls, as well as witnessing the lifestyle of local villagers living in homes over the waters.

My noodles at the floating market were seriously one of the highlights of the trip!  I am still dreaming about them.....











Our boat would pull up to vendors and we could make purchases.  We were only persuaded to take our money out by the spice man!  Amazing prices and great spices.....


Waterways to local houses




 


Only in Asia.... all manner of weird animal experiences






And these would be the origin of the most amazing noodles in Thailand


They would give you a bowl and you would leave it in the boat for the boat man to take back to the stall....






 


Young coconut.... Yum!



Our boat man....










Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Maeklong Rail Market : Thailand


The first stop on our weekend trip was perhaps one of my favorite.  The Maeklong Rail Market is about 70km out side of Bangkok.  The unique thing about the market is the train still runs on the tracks through the market 8 times a day.  The food was beautiful and my only regret was that I didn't have reason to purchase any of it.


Narrow walkway between the railroad track




I think the Thai characters are so beautiful



















When the train comes through they wheel the produce back.  Anything that is close to the ground like the vegetables in the background simply gets driven over.... ewww.  Dirty food :)


Meat in the open air... a little different.


Not the best lighting but I loved this woman... so happy.