We made a pit stop along the way at a coconut farm. The rest stop area with a bathroom and gift shop had a huge orchid nursery. We only had about 45 minutes for our stop here, but I could have walked through these rows for hours.
The coconut farm also had people making sugar from the coconuts. They used a large vat that got to a very hot temperature and pushed the liquid around with a special long handled tool. The result was a patty that almost looked like brown sugar, but it was sweeter and a flavor I've never experienced. I was expecting it would taste like coconuts, but it didn't at all! I love coconut water, so I had to get an actual coconut here! This coconut was unbelievably delicious! What a great experience. Valerie isn't as much of a coconut as I am so she skipped out on the drink.
After the coconut farm we headed off to the docks where our long-tailed boats awaited to whisk us through the canals leading to the Damnern Saduak Floating Market. The boats take about 8 passengers each and are very sensitive to weight distribution.
Valerie and I snagged the front seat of our boat! This is what our view looked like for the whole boat ride.
There are no life jackets, no safety briefing, and really no talking from your driver at all. Don't expect them to tell you puns as you sail along like the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland. Other countries just assume you aren't stupid enough to stand up or do something endangering while having an experience, so they don't feel the need to give you a speech about what is allowed and what isn't. If you're common sense escapes you, well then that is your fault.
The scenery through the canals is breath taking. It was part nature and part "back yards".
The boats are extremely agile and can pass each other within a few inches with no problem. Steering boats is very much like how they steer cars here! I should have told the lady behind me that she needs to just roll with it and that her screaming doesn't help the situation. Their job is to drive so I'm guessing they are decent at it since they don't have tons of scratches and holes on their vehicle.
When we approached the market, we were greeted with tons of shops, people, and a big welcome banner. This floating market is very geared toward tourists. The plus side of that is that they have a huge variety of the stuff we would want to buy. They know exactly what we want to take home to our friends and families. The down side is that the prices are raised like crazy. Tourist prices! The key is to haggle. This floating market actually reminded me a lot of Tijuana, Mexico. Lots of fun, lots of things to buy, pushy salespeople, and aggressive haggling. Once you get the groove of it, you have a good time.
I had the best Thai iced tea in my entire life from a tiny little coffee shop pop up on the street outside of the market. We bought lots of stuff, some things probably a little overpriced, but I was proud of our haggling skills.
After our jungle cruise, we headed to lunch by way of the War Cemetery. This is a place that any WWII history buff would appreciate. This cemetery is a resting place for the allied prisoners of war who died working on the Japanese "Death Railway" that stretched from Burma to Thailand.
For lunch, we ate at a floating restaurant with view of the Bridge over River Kwai that was part of this railway system. They let people walk on it and take pictures, but there are signs that say to move aside if a train comes and that it is your fault if you get hurt!
After a long day we retired to our gorgeous resort for the night.
We enjoyed some fruity drinks by the pool and had lovely and relaxing afternoon!
I'm so amazed at how many people are reading my little blog! I started it as a way to journal and always remember our adventures, but it makes me so happy you all are enjoying it, too!
Lots of Love,
Val & Chelle
K so I have to ask, what was the woman in the seat behind you screaming at?
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