Monday, October 16. Redeye flight was okay. Haneda Airport has the best high tech process for exiting. Thailand’s airport is also very nice. Customs and immigration was practically a non-event. I was early to the meeting place, but my day’s guide was a little late. We had a good conversation on the long morning drive out of the city. He thought we’d miss the Train Market event and have to wait for the second one, but fortunately the train was late.
The Train Market sits along both sides of a railroad track, where customers must walk on the tracks. Not only people, but merchandise and restaurant tables are set on the tracks. Each time the train goes by everything and everyone has to squeeze out to let the train by. As soon as the train inches by, out comes the canopies, chairs, etc. Happens four times a day. It’s fascinating.
Though I’ve seen plenty of markets in my travels, this one was special, besides the train aspect. There were more kinds of seafood than I’d ever seen. The souvenirs were just typical. I had a slushy made with durian fruit. The fruit itself smelled just horrible, but the slushy was only bad. (The hotel had guidance for wifi, meal times, etc. One special note was “Durian Fruit not allowed.” Made total sense.)
Next was a coconut sugar farm. The sugar comes from the palms. Each day a section of palm is sliced off and sap is collected. This is boiled for hours. The product has a consistency of maple syrup. Very good.
Last was the floating market. We rented a paddle boat ride rather than a motorboat. One observation is that the motorboats should be banned. Loud, smelly and obtrusive. The canals are more extensive than needed, hinting that the market was once much larger. Paddling around the abandoned areas was depressing. I wondered about plumbing. But the market was remarkable. Totally different than Venice, Amsterdam and Jinghang, China. Not only did the waterside merchants grab our boat to sell their merchandise (souvenirs or food), but there were roving boats paddling around also selling things, and not being subtle about it. Bought some excellent pork sausages filled with seasoned rice. Taste was identical to gyoza.
Walking along the shoreline was definitely less fun, but still interesting. Merchants touched me to get attention though. Don’t like that.
It was a long drive in the morning and a long one getting back. Traffic is less exciting than I expected though. Compared to other countries it was downright calm. Many, many buddha statues. Duh.
Checked into the hotel and just about crashed. I did stop at the lobby bar for a complementary mocktail that was a pure joy to drink. I had planned to go on a walkabout but it was raining. Needed to keep my shoes dry for tomorrow, when I play golf at a 5-star country club. Embarrassment awaits!
