River Kwai and Floating markets

This day started at the nice early time of 5am which is when we had to get up so we would be ready for our pick up at 6:15, of course we pressed the snooze button at least once. Ran up stairs to have another massive breakfast. Made it for our pick up, which was an 8 seater van which was full after we got in. As I sat there (not next to kieran) i was thinking i hope this isn't the van we will be in the next 9 hours. Luckly as it turns out it was only the transporter van as the bus cannot travel the crazy streets of bangkok that easy.

Made it to the meeting point to get on our bus and was hearded into one. This was where we met our Mother Pearl who was to be our tour guide. We got under way and was heading out to the first stop whcih was the floating marktes, on the way Pearl was telling us the history of Thailand and the floating marktes the war and even sang us a lovely song in Thai about something, she liked to talk and I decded not to listen. Kieran said it was something about floating candles who knows it was in Thai.

On the way to the floating markets we stoped at a coconut farm and showed us how they make all the coconut products Thailand exports. After that we drove onto the floating markets. Where kieran and i had a nap. I think we missed some people driving crazy with no helmets on a highway more dodgy riving by the buss driver and some farms, there might have been some other stuff.

Got to our floating markets and hoped in a long boat which had and old nissan straght 4 cylinder as a motor with the drive shaft turned into a propeller, very interesting. One bad thing about getting in the boat is that the people didnt really look at who was sitting on which side and we ended up being a bit side heavy. Kieran and i spent most of the trip leaning to the right so we didnt tip. Seriously like our head weight made a difference.

We went up and down these narrow canals (made by King Rama 5th king rama the 4th son, I did listen to Pearl) that were lined with Thai houses some small shacks some big pretty ones. We passed people washing there dishes or clothes in the canals (even though the water was the colour of cofee) and going about there normal life. After a fairly interesting trip through the canal burbs we go to the floating markets: colourful, noisy and busy.
Just like in the pictures people with lampshade hats were selling fruits of different shapes and colours, food, souvenirs and stuff. We got out of our boats went through a land (non floating) market and then had to go thru a corridor filled with stalls selling the samething on either side of us with just enough room to walk through the middle. I got stopped by one who wanted to put tiger balm on my head, lucky for me my height hindered here and i could restrain her arms long enough to make my escape.

The only words they yell at you in the markets are hello or Hello Maddaaamm which you hear every where, Luky for me i am a boy but kieran had enough of the Hello Maddaaammm....STOP It with the MADDDDAAAAMM would you, hello works fine. Can you believe it we went to a market and bought nothing, YES Kieran went shopping and didnt get a thing. well apart from an iceblock a whole 10 bath worth (30 cents).

Once we had finished the floating markets got back on the bus and headed out for the River Kwai. Before we reached the rivr we visited the war cemetary to see those who died building it over 3000 P.O.W. After the cemetary we had lunch. It was really nice it was on a river barge resturant. We sat with a older couple from Brisbane they dont live to far from my Kieran's cousin Nicky. We then went down the road to the JEATH war museum and then got another speedy long boat down to the bridge over the river kwai.

We walked along the bridge (Kieran thinks its a bit of an OH & S issue) when we go to the other side Kieran laid on the tracks and I took a photo it looked cool so i did the same for Kieran to take a photo. As I was lying down we heard the whistle of a train. Need less to say I quickly got up and we got off the tracks just as the train was coming around the corner (the train only comes once a day, Pearl said). At the same time we saw a man riding an Elephant in the bush near the track (so much happened at the same time. Oh my God a train... Oh my God an Elephant). A 'train track offical' is what we called him. Came to ours and everyones rescue as he flagged the train to stop and the then proceeded slowly, while people got off the track to their safety platforms on the side. If only i stayed on the track for 10 secods longer that would have been a cool photo.

Now we had completed the tour and almost certain death we head for home. a 3 hr bus ride. we slept and Pearl was quiet.

A good day was had by all.


Glen