Day 315/316: Bangkok Boat Tour

Can’t believe we’ve entered our last country in Asia (minus a planned two day layover in Singapore)! We bit off more than we could chew, originally planning to stop in India, Indonesia, and Laos. Learning from mistakes in South America, we cut those countries and sprinkled those days between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand to enjoy these countries more thoroughly!

The bus between Siem Reap and Bangkok was 8 hours so Wednesday was shot. It was fun crossing the border between Cambodia and Thailand because there are long lines and no air conditioning 🥵 we lost a passenger along the way because he didn’t have enough information to cross.

The drive into Bangkok was beautiful at night; so many tall and colorful skyscrapers. We also got to see an incredible sunset from a bridge. After arriving, we grabbed some noodles and dim sum for dinner and crashed.

For Thursday, Kieran planned for us to visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple; however, we messed up on the dress code. Even men need long pants. Changed plans and toured the Tha Suphan Alley road along the canal. We stopped in the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market which had tons of flower stalls and vegetable stalls; these flowers are used to adorn shrines, boats, celebrate weddings, and photographs of the king. So many markets sold golden marigolds and purple flowers.

Kieran started to feel the “big sad” and stressed about remaining activities to be planned in Thailand. We stopped in a cafe, got him a beer, and just relaxed in the air conditioning, talking about skiing and videos games (distractions).

Around 2 pm, we joined a boat tour of the city in the Chao Phraya River canal. Based off London’s Camden lock system, we experienced the magic of boats lining up to enter the smaller canals. The locks operate at certain times and boat drivers weave in and out in order of arrival to claim their spot. Our boat was the last boat in a group of 9 for the lock chamber. The gate closed behind us and the front one opened, sinking us deeper as the water poured out.

These lock systems are in place to protect the local communities living on smaller canals against the changing sea and river conditions on the main canal. Along the smaller canal, we witnessed locals living on the water with their clothes drying and grandpas sitting outside drinking coffee. There were Buddhist temples and schools along these canal systems.

Beyond families, the canals are also home to catfish and Asian Water Monitor lizards that eat dead catfish. Our tour guide told us to shout “money money money” at the lizards for good luck 🤣

We got to see the famous, large Buddha from the water but he is under renovation at the moment. Other highlights included feeding Cheetos to the catfish and accidentally walking through a university to get back home.

Ended the evening walking through backpacker haven Khao San Road for street food and people watching. Got Kieran pad thai, dumplings, and a big beer to drown out those final “bad feelings”

Hotel: Pilairat Bangkok

Food:
Pad thai
Drunken noodles

Spots:
Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market
Wat Arun
Chao Phraya River
Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen
Khao San RoadRead more