We met Vanna in the lobby at 7.15 for our 1.5 hour drive westward to the Floating Markets.

 

This gave us a chance to view the countryside. About 70 km from Bangkok we drove past salt farms – fascinating! The salt is sold in 2kg bags. We asked what it is was used for and many Thai people salt their fish so they can keep it unrefrigerated for up to a month.

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At Mae Klong (120 km from Bangkok) we stopped to visit the Train Market. We had time to walk through the stalls – and yes there was lots of salted fish – (not a smell we would get used to easily). The stall holders have their wares right at the edge of the train tracks and you walk along the track – very narrow pathway.

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Then, 8 times a day, a train passes though.  At 9.10 am we had to move into a safe area between the stalls and wait. Suddenly the stall holders move their baskets etc back and the train comes. Paul was trying to video and stall holders were calling to him to move back. The train is obviously much wider than the tracks and the train passes you within inches. Then the stalls are back in business as if nothing has happened. What a way to run a business!!!

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAYVJ41BpFQ&feature=youtu.be[/tube]

 

 

We tried mangosteen (queen of Thai fruits)  It was very sweet and our guide gave us a bag of them. The king of fruits (durian) is out of season, but we are told it is so smelly it cant be served in hotels, But it has an amazing flavour apparently, but must be eaten in moderation, and preferably with the mangosteen.

 

Next stop was a coconut farm/factory where they make coconut sugar and many other products. The sugar was beautiful. There were also handbags, serving bowls, soap etc all made from coconuts. They waste nothing. They also had bottles of coconut oil for drinking. I remember using this to sunbake years ago.

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Another product for sale was jars of saffron. We buy it by the strand, and they sell it by the jar for a few THB. Our guide gave us a bag to take and suggested we use it on our cruise to drink like tea to keep us healthy. We will try it and let you know.

 Next stop was the Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak. There are stalls on the land at the sides of the canal and also on long boats tied to the edge of the canals. Others actually move along the canals selling food and beer (not cooled). We boarded our long boat and set off. Our driver took us to the stall owned by his family so I bought a handbag as I did not want to offend them. We were told to barter, so the original price was 800 THB and I bought it for 380 THB. The next day I saw the same bag in a shop for 280THB!!! They are clever sales people.

 [tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz5PfDOhtu8&feature=youtu.be[/tube]

I also bought some scarves and magnets which our guide purchased as she got Thai prices rather than tourist prices.

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Then we had a relaxing drive back to Bangkok in the air conditioned 4WD. This was a much easier day then yesterday – less walking in the heat and less stairs.

 

On the way back we stopped to take photos of the salt farms as we still wanted to know more about the process. Obviously the land cannot be used for any other agricultural purpose due the high salt content.

 

When we returned we took our washing to a laundry across the road and then went to the large shopping centre called MKB about 3 blocks from our hotel. We had to dodge water pistols and people trying to put white flour/paste on our faces. Everyone puts their cameras and phones etc in plastic bags as buckets of water are also thrown as well as the water pistols, We didn’t seem to get targeted and mostly got wet in cross fire.

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Again, back for another foot massage – we are really going to miss this when we leave Bangkok.

 

For dinner we went to the Hotel restaurant for a traditional Songkran Buffet.  This was a good choice as the streets were full of water fights and road were closed around out hotel for the concerts which were VERY loud.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rub78gQkk5s&feature=youtu.be[/tube]