Tao Lai Ka? Floating Markets

We first began at 6 A.M. where a tour bus came to pick six of us up at our uni-tec. We were on our way to the floating markets which was about an hour and a half away. I was so excited cause ever since I got to Thailand I really wanted to experience the floating markets and to see what all it was all about. To beat the crowds we first stopped at the elephant farm where we got to pet and feed the elephants. It was really awesome to be up close and personal with these marvelous creatures but it was sad to see the scars from their trainers all over their bodies. At one point the little baby elephant began to sway and dance to the music playing! But we were informed by Ashley that they do that because they are tied up so much. After that we made our way to the boats at the market.

As I got into the boat the surroundings really let me catch a glimpse of the real Thailand and how some people live. We took a short ride in the boat as we made our way to the marketplace. The water was dark brown and cloudy from all the mud and probable pollution. It was sad to see some of the make shift homes along the river and know that we are so fortunate to have clean water and a sturdy homes. I saw many people using the merky water to bathe themselves, wash their clothes and most likely use the water to cook and drink. This was the Thailand I was expecting to see...It was sad.

We made our way slowly down the river not really knowing whether or not our boat will tip?! It was a little rocky, but our driver knew what he was doing. We saw a few random animals on the way. The first was a few monkeys that someone had tied up in their yard and then as we kept moving forward we saw this huge head pop up out of the water and then began crawling out of the water?! It was a Monitor Lizard. It was the biggest/wierdest creature I have ever seen, but very awesome to see in the wild.

We finallly got to the markets! It was incredible! Boats are scrambling to fit down the small strip of river full of people and colorful fruits and vegetables. Vendors are yelling out their prices and food choices and everywhere you look there is someone right behind you trying to hand you something to buy from them. I have learned not to even look at goods if I am not going to buy them! They will chase you down until you finally bargain a price that both of you are happy with. They will hand you a calculator with their price then you have to respond back with a price that you will pay. Its quite a gambling game and I definately got ripped off today... But you do feel a sense of accomplishment that you worked for that purchase!

The smells are overwhelming! You have a million different smells coming from the river, the people, and all the various foods that are being cooked. Your nostrils get swarmed and all the smells hit you at one point with greasy stagnant unpleasant air. At that point you just need to get some fresh air and fast!

After the markets we got back into our bus to go to the hand crafts fair. I have never seen such art taken place before. Each design piece is so tedious and looks as if it would take years to finish! most of the designs are of elephants and the jungle scene. The artists hand carve on hard wood for art pieces, chairs, tables ou name it! It was beautiful to see the intricacy and dedication that was put into each piece.

After all of the hustle and bustle of the markets we filled the rest of our day with a cobra farm, crocodile farm and then to Rose Gardens. I got to see shows at the crocodile farm displaying the sad lives that the elephants are raised to live and near death hand tricks with the crocodiles. Then lastly we experienced some of the old culture of Thailand. The Rose Gardens has shows to watch the dances of the different parts and Thailand and to experience a marriage and their rituals.

It was a great, but tiring day.