Staying afloat! Thailands floating markets. Elsie Gabriel.

Staying afloat!

Thailands floating markets.

Elsie Gabriel.

Lots of chatter and bargaining, fruits, vegetables and fresh produce everywhere, no we are not at a supermarket, we are in the middle of a canal! Water water every where and we are in a canoe kind of boat floating, meandering our way between  many other such boats, shopping in the middle of a waterway! More than a dozen boats passing each other with loads of fascinating indigenous stuff for sale,all on one narrow canal. The whole atmosphere is intoxicating and contagious, I got into the chaotic shopping mood at once bargaining for some incense and coconut carved show pieces. Some shoppers were held captive by vendor boats selling fresh flowers, coconut candy and lots of  tropical fruits. The simple raw Mango’s sliced up in a plastic bag made the most sales....

The most famous of the floating markets is Damnoen Saduak, about 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. Check out the floating markets very early in the morning to get fresh stuff as well as avoid the huge crowds later on along with the heat of the day.

 These canal markets are slowly vanishing they say, only to the land adjoining the banks being developed or being replaced by shoppers who frequent the malls. Thailand's remaining floating markets are an enduring symbol of an ancient Thai culture and traditional life,it has to be a must on your Thailand trip. Ask for the floating market trip at any hotel travel counter or even at the airport once you land at Thailand and take the one most convenient to you.

 Every one taking pictures, click click click, its infectious, you just simply want to capture every colour, every hue and every vendors floating local shop filled to the brim.

Don’t look down at the canal water under the boat, its obviously not freshwater and of course do not touch it.But its a country canal alright, they say there are many such canal floating markets in Thailand,some even connecting each other.

You'll experience rural Thai and the countryside all in this very cruise by a long-tailed boat to the markets. See the vendors selling local produce and get an up-close glimpse of everyday rural life in Thailand.

We got off at many points of interval, to take notes on the Coconut Sugar candy factory and another break for some good Thai chop chop. Sweet coconut water and some covered uncut fruit is advisable for the chaste traveler.

Simply any and everything on sale! You can expect to bargain but not more than a couple of bahts.

Coconut sugar candy factory.

Of course for some of you,who want to indulge and surely want to loosen your purse strings for even a little more than just curios , if you are okay with buying remakes of Gucci,Prada, Fendi and more of the international designer bags along side Thai Lichees, Thai mangoes and Thai balms, Thai Oils,all in that order literally, a true mixed jamboree sale afloat! Go ahead. Enjoy shopping sitting on the boat  and exchanging goods for cash over the water, for once away from the plastic malls!