Damnoen Saduak (Floating Market) - May 16th

The highlight of this town was the local floating market. We followed the signs down a long road as we walked toward the big market on the water. 2km later we still hadn’t found our way there yet, but luckily we were picked up by two locals that dropped us off at the entrance. Such a big help, thank you!

Within seconds of arriving we could feel the energy of the market around us. Buyers, sellers, and those there simply for the experience were all around. The main canal that plays host to this market is at most 40 feet wide. With both edges of the water and platforms on either side covered with vendors, this little market packs a big punch. We wandered one section to get a feel for what was available and the prices being offered. We took a relaxing break to the tune of freshly peeled pomelo (similar to grapefruit) and a big coconut with straw and all. We watched in amazement how business on the floating market carries out. Boats are filled with big pots full of soup or piles of fresh fruit Lunch was a delight as we had a great bowl of guey theu right next to the water. The women that prepared ours and all the other customers dishes sat in her boat on the water and worked as efficiently as anyone in a state of the art kitchen. Half way into lunch, rush hour began on the water - a total traffic jam. Ben mentioned a few times how happy he was to be on solid ground eating a great bowl of noodle soup and not stuck in the middle of the canal not moving. 15 minutes or so later and the applause began as boats started moving.
We bought plenty of fresh fruit to enjoy for the rest of the day, and Ben couldn't help himself and bought one of his favorite Thai treats off a boat - fried bananas covered in coconut meat. We left the floating market a little before noon to check out of our hotel and head back to Bangkok to spend time with Liya’s family for the rest of the weekend.

We took bus #78 back to Bangkok from Damnoen Saduak. We passed through Nakhon Pathom on our 2-hour drive. When we arrived in Bangkok, we changed buses at the Southern Bus Terminal and took #511 local bus all the way back to the family’s home. Even though we were already in the city of Bangkok, it took us a good 1.5 hours to drive through the massive concrete city to the house. We didn’t mind because we got to ride like locals and enjoyed watching city life from our seats.

That evening, we enjoyed a feast at home with the family. We were spoiled with tom yum soup, grilled pork, papaya salad, spicy chicken ka pow, sticky rice and of course, fresh durian for dessert. The rest of the night was spent catching up with Liya’s 2nd cousin, Oh, and watching the movie “Knocked Up.”