Sunday, 4 January 2015

Day 2 - Bangkok ~ Amphawa Weekend Floating Market

Day 2 - Bangkok ~ Amphawa Floating Market (weekend market)

2D1N trip to Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram starts! *^^*
We walked to Phaya Thai BTS train station (15baht) to Victory Monument Station where we can take a mini van to amphawa (80baht).

Upon reaching Victory Monument Station, facing victory plaza's main entrance on the left is the van to Amphawa Weekend Floating Market (80baht). There are many counters selling tickets to other destinations; and it seems to leave whenever the vehicle is full. You can purchase a return ticket to Bangkok as soon as you arrive in Amphawa to make sure you don't get stuck there without a lift back to the city.

    


Our ticket to Amphawa Floating Market


Our mini van


Our front view in the back seats


One of the street sellers who sells mini ice-creams...  


After 1.5 hrs of bus journey & 10mins of walking!



One of the boat trip operators to nearby temples; 50baht to 5 temples; off-shore viewing / onshore quite praying temples




Our 2DN1 accommodation @ Amphawa Floating Market; Fri-Sun (it is better to pre-book online as the room rate on that day itself is much higher and might be full)
FYI: 3 - 4 hours at the market should be sufficient but if you wish to spend the night there, there is a number of homestays and small hotels to choose from. We decided to stay one night as we wanted to see the fireflies; 60baht per person  and the last timing for the mini van back to BKK is at 6 in e evening. Seeing the fireflies in the night is the best timing to admire them...





Located @ 1st level room; nearest to the main corridor; expect to see insects as it is really a natural place; saw a cockroach on my bed when we first entered the room




GIGANTIC PRAWNS AND FISHES!


Our pro chef displaying her skills on board the sampan!


Our lunch! We were starving as we reached there about 2 in the afternoon


OMG, Our favourites!! Cheap & big!


My favourite!!!


Phad Thai!

You will be surprised as majority of the visitors are Thai locals with European tourists as the minority. There are not many Singaporeans; Asians who have explored this place as this is the Thai local domestic market after-all. Nevertheless, I feel like one of them as I walked down the walkways exploring the beauty of the place and the pacing is rather slow and relaxed, unlike in BKK.



Thai pancakes (coconut)
There are more locals than foreigners as this is a more localised floating market as compared to Chatuchak which is more touristy. I enjoy the natural, relaxing scenery and the mingling among the locals. As the saying goes; when in Thailand,  do as the Thais do. ^^