Field Trip #2

Another fieldtrip with the kids. We left Saturday to go to the floating market in Amphawa and to some museum supposedly a wax museum…but we'll see. Their translation wasn't all that great when I asked what kind of museum… But I'm so glad I went with the school. The market is no where near Bangkok, so getting a bus ride directly there was really just perfect. I didn't have to ask around while taking multiple buses. And surprisingly, I've gotten used to their crazy music. Although I was quite surprised I got to listen to Thai alternative music for a good portion. yah for the bus helper being less mainstream!  

On the way to the market we stopped at the “Siam Cultural Park."

                              

Not a wax museum, but a really pretty park with lots of trees that had several exhibits. The park showed several Buddha statues from various time periods, as well as a few old Thai style houses that you could walk through (similar to the ones I saw at the Jim Thompson Farm).

 

Can you tell the difference??

At one point however, we did enter what could be a wax museum. There were these wax statues depicting the life of a man who was important to the history of Thailand. When Jenny and I asked one of our coordinator's, Jeab, to translate what the tour guide was saying it went something like this:

“This man had many wife even though he was very poor"
“He asked Buddha for help”
“Buddha give him his last children (Buddha had children before he became Buddha)”
“He eat too much”
“Stomach blow up”

So…to say in the least… I have no idea who this man was, why he was famous, or why his stomach blew up, or more importantly why he was important in Thai history. Typical…

The floating market itself was pretty cool but not what I was expecting. Most pictures will show tons of colorful items being sold on the boats. Lots of fruits and vegetables. I only saw food vendors on the boats with one or two individuals selling the season's fruit - some weird kiwi look a like thing and pomelo.  So the vendors we saw actually cook the food on the boat and you sit on the steps at the edge of the water to eat. Although this was not as I imagined, it was nice to see something different, but at the same time, it wasn't all that different. Confused?  It was "Same same but different" - It was different because of the scenery, but same in that it was just as crowded and touristy as most places. Anyway, they had some pretty unique souvenirs (I got over the fact I wouldn't be buying things from boats) that I picked up that I haven't seen else where. So all in all I had a sweet day. I'm glad I went.

Seafood

Pomelos

Famous Amphawa Market Lady

Our River Tea Lady

Mad Crazy Food Vendors in Boats