We got up on the friday morning at 4.15am (Not much time for lie ins this week.)
We were picked up at 4.45am and were on our way to the World famous floating markets just north of Bangkok.( www.thailandguidebook.com/floatingmarket )
We arrived about 8.30am and paid for our boat.
There was the 4 of us plus the 3 sisters who my Mum worked with plus Mr Nui (Our driver). The boat cost 200bhat each (less then 3 quid).
We were all really looking forward to this, and it didn't fail to deliver.
We boarded our boat (which seated 8 plus the skipper), and we were on the canal. Of course the surrounding area and water is probably not as good as that of Venice, but it was the same thing all the same.
We travelled past small run down houses on stilts where all the locals lived. The safety officer must not have been here in a while as the electric wires were virtually touching the water.
As we floated through the canals we passed we huts at the side on the waters edge selling everything wooden, Hats, a variety of stuff made from Coconut shells etc.
We stopped for breakfast at a boat floating past us, and we had a wonderful pork and noodle soup type thing with Thai Sauces. Absolutely gorgeous but difficult to eat on a boat with chopsticks. An experience none the less. We continued down the canal whilst still eating our breakfast.
Next we stopped off at a shop and got to see them making Sugar... Which of course Ciara gave a hand with.
This was such a surreal experience that we had, we hit traffic on the canals, we were pulled into the side by allsorts wanting to sell us stuff. Ciara was virtually dragged off the boat because she showed interest in a Sarong. Nearly every second boat we passed was trying to sell us all sort of fruit.... Guava's, Star Fruit, Long Kams, Sweet Tamarinds, pomelo, Custard Apples etc....
Towards the end of the boat trip we stopped off to see a traditional thai dance, followed by another stop to feed the millions (and i mean millions) of fish that were in the canal.
On the way back to Pattaya, we stopped off at a traditional Thai Market that only locals shop at and had lunch, followed by walking the length of the market (about 1km) in the heat, whilst the sisters bartered at all the stands to get a wide range of Thai Delicacies for themselves and the street kids.
It was an absolutely amazing day and we arrived back in Pattaya about 5pm
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