The second stop on our cruise was Bangkok. Or, to be precise the Bangkok container port at Laem Chabang which is 2.5 hours from the city by bus or taxi. We had one and a half days in port and while many voyagers chose to take a long day or even an overnight trip into Bangkok, we decided to spend most of the first day on the boat. Eric went for a walk ashore which only demonstrated that the container port extends for quite a few kilometres.
However at breakfast on our second morning in Laem Chabang we made the snap decision to accompany Barb, Bruce, Ro and Russell to Pattaya floating markets. Ro had seen a lovely dress the day before and wanted to return to purchase it.
Russell negotiated a taxi to take us to and from the markets at a reasonable price. A couple from South Africa joined in and off we drove for the 40 or so minutes to the markets. These markets are a kind of replica of the authentic Bangkok floating markets which are on the west side of Bangkok and completely out of our reach to get to.
The markets were good fun. We wandered the decks alongside the canals, watched boats paddling along and looked at the wares. Rosemary made her transaction and she and Barb found many wonderful crafty things to look at. Samuel loved the paintings of animals, particularly elephants which were done with fluorescent colours on black canvasses. We watched Mauy Thai boxers fighting on a pole above the water, the winner sits victorious when the opponent falls into the water. I suspect this style of fighting is not anywhere as authentic as the version done in a ring.
The highlight of our visit was a cultural section where we saw a demonstration of the silk making process. First we saw weaving in action by a Kayan lady with the traditional rings round her neck. Several purchases were made by our group. Next we looked at the process for making silk thread. From the worms eating mulberry leaves, to the silk sacks and a dead fly to the process of boiling the cocoons and catching the threads of silk on a contraption which required slow spinning. Samuel and Barb both had a go.
After a bit more browsing buying a few more small trinkets, it was time to head back to the ship. The day was very pleasant and we were pleased we had made a last minute decision to go.
However at breakfast on our second morning in Laem Chabang we made the snap decision to accompany Barb, Bruce, Ro and Russell to Pattaya floating markets. Ro had seen a lovely dress the day before and wanted to return to purchase it.
Russell negotiated a taxi to take us to and from the markets at a reasonable price. A couple from South Africa joined in and off we drove for the 40 or so minutes to the markets. These markets are a kind of replica of the authentic Bangkok floating markets which are on the west side of Bangkok and completely out of our reach to get to.
The markets were good fun. We wandered the decks alongside the canals, watched boats paddling along and looked at the wares. Rosemary made her transaction and she and Barb found many wonderful crafty things to look at. Samuel loved the paintings of animals, particularly elephants which were done with fluorescent colours on black canvasses. We watched Mauy Thai boxers fighting on a pole above the water, the winner sits victorious when the opponent falls into the water. I suspect this style of fighting is not anywhere as authentic as the version done in a ring.
The highlight of our visit was a cultural section where we saw a demonstration of the silk making process. First we saw weaving in action by a Kayan lady with the traditional rings round her neck. Several purchases were made by our group. Next we looked at the process for making silk thread. From the worms eating mulberry leaves, to the silk sacks and a dead fly to the process of boiling the cocoons and catching the threads of silk on a contraption which required slow spinning. Samuel and Barb both had a go.
After a bit more browsing buying a few more small trinkets, it was time to head back to the ship. The day was very pleasant and we were pleased we had made a last minute decision to go.
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