Travel: Sweet and Spicy guide of Bangkok and it’s neighborhood – part II

In Sundays I write about my adventures and travel experience and also today is not an exception. As the name of the post already indicates – this will be continue my Bangkok’s story.

Actually it is not so much about Bangkok, but about places around. On 3rd day we went to explore the Floating market which is 1h outside the city so we headed there really early to not find tourist crowds.

As a typical tourist we started with Damnoen Saduak, the biggest and most popular of all floating markets, caters mainly to foreign visitors and is still a must-see. Even if we tried to arrive there early it was already packed with tourists that where hopping on the boat rids and bumping against each other to try to pass by. (Kind a funny way of traffic jam, but just on the water).

As I had a serious jet lag and where completely destroyed I decided to hide behind the sunglasses (in order not scare little kids with a zombie look) till I get some color and get rid of my lines under eyes.

To best enjoy these floating markets I have come up with 6 suggestions you must include in your floating market trip.

The first suggestion to enjoy the market as a real prof is to arrive there real early and get a touristic boat. Suggest to be there around 7am.

 

2nd –  Do shopping – especially fruits that are fresh and delicious there and floating by constantly and costs real little. 40 bhat is 1 eur. Where else you can buy so much fruit for so little money?

3rd – make sure you have a hat and a sunscreen and comfy shoes. The sun is really strong and will burn your skin. For first days I was putting 50+ sunscreen, which I suggest to buy at your home country or airport and carry with you. I always have a small one in my bag – just in case of a need. Also I got a big hat that I bought previous day at local shopping mall. But you can easily get one at the market too, however it will cost slightly more.

After having our way around the touristic floating market – Damnoen Saduak we headed to another floating market- Ampawa that offers more local flavors and are mostly for locals. Notably also prices were a lot cheaper comparing to the main tourist attraction place. However I found this market a lot more charming and enchanting than previous one with all it’s little streets and bridges and local smells and tastes.

4th – Must visit less touristic market at Ampawa to enjoy the local way of life of a bygone era and the atmosphere.

5th – Street food – take away – must try it. It is cooked in front of you and are absolutely delicious and costs nothing. As my friend Sju explained me – eating out – street food as a takeaway for dinner, for example, costs a lot cheaper than cooking at home. You might eat for 1-2 Eur for dinner. Rich dinner, let me add.

Our lunch was a delicious sea dishes and sweet and spicy chicken. For my surprise – Thai people prefer not only spicy food but get it sweet. (You will often see them adding a pack of sugar to their noodles or rice to sweeten-it-up).

 

 

6th – must try a yellow watermelon – it is sweet and really similar to the typical one I was used to have here in Italy. However the typical red one has a lot less sweet taste than it’s bright brother.

I must admit – I have a weak spot for a big figures and sculptures and especially for the the ones where you can stick your head out. So when saw a Mr.Mango Tango couldn’t pass by without having my picture taken with him, because, c’mon – whenever you see a big mango with a hat?

After a long day of floating market visiting we finally headed back to Bangkok to visit the down town, see famous show of Cabaret and see the finals of a Muay Thai championship which was held in open air.

 

 

At this point the jet lag and fatigue was affecting me so much that I was becoming silly and childish making faces and messing around while waiting for the show to begin.

 

And when the sun was going down it was also time to start the King of Muay Thai finals. (You can see here).

To finish another great day of exploring we went for a panorama ride to see Bangkok from above at dark. Something like London Eye, but slightly smaller and with a chance to have your own VIP cabin. (Thai has thought about everything).

This is where my Bangkok review concludes but not the Thailand adventure. Next stop – Phuket – the real destination of the vacation coming up next weekend.