Floating Markets

It would seem that anything the Thai vendors can do on land they can adapt for these traditional markets. You've got you fruit stalls, the breakfast and lunch vendors, the floating tourist souvenir stand and the floating bar, all before 8am. I got up at 6am to wander down to the canals before the hoards of tourists swarmed in from Bangkok, and was rewarded with the time of morning when there are more Thai people than tourists.
Damnoen Sakuak is about 2 hours south west of Bangkok but I'd come back from Kanchanaburi the night before so that I could see what the locals actually get up to on a daily basis. Damnoen Saduak is a little like the Venice of South East Asia - there are 'grand canals' and there are the little tiny ones that might only squeeze 2 boats passing. They are not all that deep, so I'm not sure if they are man made or not, as they don't really twist and turn like a natural body of water would. The locals swim there, and when I say locals I mean both the Thai people and the monitor lizards that obviously inhabit them - I spotted 2 as I cruised the waterways. No, it wasn't hard spotting them, they are pretty big!
At the risk of sounding hypocritical - its a shame that tourism has hit this place, as its expensive, and now also full of the usual crap that you see being flogged at overinflated tourist prices all over Thailand. However on the other hand, its an amazing thing to see before it gets crazy busy and the vendors are pushing the stupidest looking hats that turn from fan (position a.) to hat with a swift flick of the wrist (position b.). The locals eat breakfast of noodles, bamboo shoots, tofu, spring onion and stock on their boats, holding on to the boat next to them (accommodating cookware for preparation of said dish), buy fruit at the local, uninflated prices and laugh with each other, probably about the ignorant tourists who will soon descend.
The faces on these ladies are beautiful. Lines full of character, and smiles so warm that when you hear 'Banana, nice - 20 baht' you wish just once they didn't see $$ before the face.
But its not all bad - I had some help from some lovely people in finding my hotel - just a quick ride on the back of a ladies moped, as opposed to the 1.5km walk in the heat!
I got back in Bangkok yesterday afternoon, and have been lazing in the pool, and now that you're all quite jealous I'll sign off. Until next time

Floating Markets: about 2 hours south west of Bangkok.

Tigers

Maybe not that sedated? Awesome pose champ!


Hugging Skyward and living the dream...the 1st cub born
at the Tiger Temple about 4 years ago.

The Usual

So...I had a tigers head on my lap yesterday - what did you do?
He hee - it was very commercial, but sooooo cool! I had been loitering around for most of the day waiting to get on the bus out to the Tiger Temple at 2.30 (no one told me they had the cubs out to play at 12.30!!!!! Grrr). I was proud of my composure in front of the other tourists, quite frankly - there was no literal bursting with excitement. So we not the 1st to get there, which is OK I guess, and well its a funny thing, they are all chained to the ground and mostly really sleepy (I won't rule out sedation at this point - although it was damn hot, I don't think I'd feel like eating people in that heat either) and you just hand your camera over to one of the handlers, and another handler holds your hand (perhaps they knew I'd run about excitedly if they didn't) and led you around to about 5 of the 7 or 8 tigers there and sat you down behind for a good pat! He Hee! So the fur was kinda course, but under their chin is soft, just like a puddy tat, then they'd flick their tale and could probably knock you over with a decent or deliberate contact... When that was done you went to the back of the queue and could line up to do it all again!! It was pretty amazing, I have to say. They are massive, and so awesome! There was no growling until we'd walked them back to the cages when one let rip and it was a frightening site, even with 3 sets of bars in between you and those teeth. Full on aggressive posture and was totally excellent. Dude. Sorry I don't have pics ready to go, hopefully when I get back to Bangers I can hook you up.
So This all happens about 45kms from Kanchanaburi where I am now. This is where the Bridge is spans the river Kwai, so a bit of history that I've forgotten due to obvious other distractions. It is hot - we're heading into the hottest time in the region so I have been required to leave small salty puddles of sweat on seats all over town. Nice. I have 2 showers a day, and am disappointed when the water comes out hot from sitting in the pipes for 3 seconds. But the food is awesome, of course. I'm heading back towards Bangkok today, but stopping off at the floating markets for a night to check out the idyllic Asian image of produce bargaining on water!
And I mentioned the tigers, right?

Bangkok, Thailand

Hooray for half empty flights! Not that I slept that well, but I did get to stretch out for a few Zzz's over the 9 hour flight. We landed at the new Bangkok aorport without hitting one of the cracks that streak across a few of the runways there, and I don't think I was even looked at on my way through customs which is always nice. I got into a sexy Hot Pink taxi to arrive here at Dave's appartment. It was great turning up to a freindly face - although he did have to rush off to work, he'd left me with Pi, a Bangkok local, to entertain me for the day. And boy did she have plans for me! We headed off to Chanuchuk (JJ?) Markets - the biggest in Bangkok. They have everything there, and it made me laugh as soon as I walked in - just being hit with the smell of asian markets - kind of like stagnant water with decomposing vegetable waste - mmm, mmm - but its great. You'll be pleased to know I resisted such great temptaation n my 1st day pretty well - I only bought 1 really cool tiger print. Then we had simple but tasty lunch while sitting next to a bucket of chicken feet. And then I kind of needed a nap, and a shower - its fairly warm and sticky, but looking forward to what's next!

End of Gravy Train

I've gotta say, thank the Lord you don't leave The Brand every Friday on the eve of St Paddy's day. I mean, great times, but a quiet night at the folks place is a welcome invitation. Well, maybe one wine with dinner...
So I have 5 sleeps before getting on that plane to Bangkok - well, technically 6, but lets face it, there's no way I'm going to sensible snooze Saturday at any point. In fact I doubt I'll even sleep Friday night! No, I have not packed, I can't believe I have lost the knack of deciding in a split second what will or will not be appropriate for multiple country conditions. Have I reverted to being that green all over again after 6 years of only traveling to Cairns or New Zealand? Not that there's anything wrong with Cairns or New Zealand - or even Kermit for that matter, but I digress - I'm sure it will come together...when I risk missing my flight.
There are still things to be done, people to see etc before I leave, so I'll sign off with the promise of more interesting blogs than my seemingly never ending preparations to come.