This time in Bangkok, I landed with minimum planning. I even joined a long-tail boat package tour. We sailed through the divine temples, the grand hotels, then entered the locals’ area, into the floating market.
My Lonely Planet says: “In olden times, central Thai farmers would deliver their goods to market abroad the only transport they owned: the family boat.” Though this tradition is now more a attraction than reality, I still think this is one of the most romantic ways of trading.
Our tour guide ushered us onto the dry land, and that’s when I realized how drastically the floating market has been scaled down. “You know, because of the flood last year and pollution, not many floating markets in Bangkok anymore.” Our tour guide said. I didn’t know, it’s a shame, but I completely understand why.
After enjoying the grilled plantain dipped in coconut syrup, beating the Bangkok heat with unbelievably refreshing lemon grass water sans sugar and being chased away by the King of Fruit Durian, our tour guide was ushering us out. Then that’s when I finally saw the romantic.
A smiley Thai lady doing made to order papaya salad! Fresh ingredients in clay jars, color all too vibrant.
Hopping back to our long-tail boat, papaya salad in hand…. the aroma of freshly crushed chill.
This time in Bangkok, I landed with minimum planning. I even joined a long-tail boat package tour. But it was a pleasant surprise.
LOW TEMP HALF CORK 