The main purpose of the day was to visit one of Thailand's famous floating markets but as we travelled to the south west of Bangkok I managed to take a few shots of Thailand's annual sea salt production. According to this CNN report in 2012 .... The largest source of Thailand's salt industry can be viewed along side Thai Road 35, better known as Thon Buri-Pak Tho Highway. Taking the highway southwest of Bangkok from Samut Sakhon to Samut Songkhram, you will see rectangular ponds with windmills and workers hand moving brine pumped in from the Gulf of Thailand. The brine is pumped into the shallow ponds allowing the water to evaporate. The salt is raked up with wooden implements into piles for draining. The piles are raked into small hills and then bagged for transportation. Some of the retail bags are sold directly in front of the drying ponds. Large bags of freshly bagged Thai sea salt can be purchased at the "factory" for 30-60 Tbht ($1-2 USD).... never let it be said that this blog isn't educational!
Some half an hour later we pulled up in a car park at Damnoen Saduak where I parted with my 3000 baht and was given number 16 and a free bottle of water to consume whilst I waited for my boat to come in. Not too long before we were heading down the canal where I managed to take some photographs of the surrounds, including coconuts which we would partake of later, before we began to encounter other boats. Rounding a corner we came to the market proper. The canals twist and turn with many boats heading in both directions some at considerable speed whilst the locals go about there business using the power of the oar for this is not just a tourist attraction, locals lead their daily lives here too.
The banks of the canal are lined with open fronted stalls selling all manner of things whilst vendors also ply their trade from boats amongst the crowd too. There is a rich aroma of freshly cooking food mingled with the perfume of flowers and the rich aroma of spices all for sale at a suitable price. Pull up at a stall which takes your fancy and barter to your hearts content. A suitable price will be reached which suits both parties and sometimes you will get more than you bargained for!
The boatmen reminded me of the car and bike 'fests' in the UK with lovingly polished engines, skilfully decorated boats and competition. Here too they love to show off their skill as they weave their way around the crowded canals with never a scratch to their boat or their pride. The ticket price had seemed expensive at first but the tour takes as long as you want it too. Linger at the stalls, taste the wares, enjoy a snack here and there and even go ashore. I found the whole thing fascinating especially as the canals provide a lifestyle for the residence similar to the canal people of England. Here too several 'des res' developments can be seen dotted around too. As I tried to capture the nature of the place I hope that you will enjoy looking around too....
The day would continue with a visit to another famous market this time in keeping with 'Thailand by Train', see you later!
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