Mission Accomplished
Bangkok, Thailand
March 08, 2009
Here were the Missions for today:
Go to the Floating Market
Mail home my Bangkok Starbucks mug
Mail our taxes
Pick up our clean laundry from the slum building on Khoa San
Buy a shot glass that has Bangkok on it for Heidi
Get a haircut for Bill
Let's just say that we were 95% complete. The one mission that was incomplete in Bill's opinion was his haircut! But his hair was nice and clean... LOL!
We had to get up at 5:30 to catch the 7:00 pick up for our tour to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. While waiting for the driver we met MP, one of the owners of the hotel, and chatted with him Bridge to Our Hotel. The hotel has only been open for 18 months, so we told him how we found the place and how pleased we were with the room and the facility.
Mr Max picked us up and dropped us off at the Guest House. We jumped into another van with another driver and guide. There were a dozen others who were taking the trip with us. Everyone was pretty tired and did not say too much. I was sitting with two Chinese girls, one slept most of the 1 1/2 ride and some of the time was leaning on me. I was not too thrilled about that.
We first climbed into a wooden motor boat (long-tail boat) which took us down to the main area. From there we were able to walk around on our own or purchase a ride in a wooden boat paddled by women for 150 bhat. We took a short ride down one of the three shopping canals with another couple. We were able to purchase fruit, vegetables, tiger balm and souvenirs from the boat Floating Market. We bought a bunch of bananas because I was starving! I also tried coconut juice from a coconut, but I did not really like the flavour.
After we departed from our cruise we were able to walk up and down both sides of the canal. We were able to purchase a hot meal and we shared a bowl of pork noodle soup. We could have purchased hats (that double as fans, very handy), fruit, vegetables, spices (saffron is very tempting, I am sure it was very cheap), clothes, puppets, masks, statues,... I ended up buying a sarong to wear to temples for 220 bhat (she had asked for 380 bhat).
We hopped back into the van over to the Crocodile/ farm. Some people were extending their tour to the farm or the rose gardens, but we headed back to Bangkok. So, some people left the van and others were added. Tom and Lee from Toronto hopped into our van. Lee had been a police officer and is now a fire fighter Mailing our Taxes. He was just starting his 5 week tour of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. He was heading to the Full Moon festival in next in Hat Rin (Southern Thailand). It was nice to talk someone from our native province!
The van dropped us off at Khoa San and headed back to our room. We packed up the mail and headed back to Khoa San. We picked up our laundry - so nice to have clean things. We also burned our first pictures onto a CD. We were able to mail my mug, the CD, and some small souvenirs. Yes, we also mailed our taxes!
We stopped to eat at a place that was a street-side cafe/street meat. It was local cooking with some tables and plastic chairs on the sidewalk. I am not too sure what you would call that. Street Meat Cafe? Bill decided that Talhin/t should make some of these chairs! We had some curry chicken with potatoes, BBQ pork, rice, beer and water Our Chef at the Floating Market. It was pretty good.
One our way back to our room we popped into a Wat. It had a beautiful gold chedi and some wonderful ceramic pieces on the buildings. There was a shrine with two large Buddhas; they were both seated and one was in front of the other. It was a lovely surprise, I am glad that we checked it out.
We crossed back to our hotel over the cement slabs that are a homemade bridge across the canal and saw a large creature in the water. Bill knew it was a Monitor Lizard. It was 3 or 4 feet long and a bit creepy! Good thing we are on the third floor!
I was forced to relax because the internet was down at our hotel, for the balance of the day. We decided to try one more time to find a shot glass. We headed to Siom Center, a big, modern mall that we had seen on our cab ride home one night. We went to the Thai souvenir shop and they had one!!! That will get sent home in our next package!
Bill had a DQ peanut buster parfait and we strolled around the mall. The regular prices for tops were around $32 - $36. Too bad I don't have the money or the room for some new clothes!
We headed to the street which also has many shops. I was surprised by the number of stores that were independent designers. There was some really nice, one-of-a-kind stuff. I looked at one jacket in one store and it was only $32. Again - what a shame!!
Bill's hair was driving him crazy, so he decided to get a cut while I waited in line at a restaurant. I was able to order right away and was escorted to a table upstairs. I asked the waiter to send Bill up when he arrived, but I don't think he understood me. So, I headed to the salon and told Bill where to find me. He looked like he was almost done, but did not arrive at the restaurant for a while. I waited for a while, but then started to eat. I was done eating by the time he showed up.
Bill was not pleased with his cut (understatement). His hair is only shorter over his ears and she washed his hair three times. He was pretty disgusted with the whole situation! LOL!
After dinner we headed back to the hotel, packed our bags and went to bed.
