Our second day in Bangkok began with a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River and the canals that wind through the outskirts of the city. The water is murky and choppy with all the boat activity but despite that, it is teeming with large carp-like fish.
(A view from the boat of Wat Arun, Temple of The Dawn)
The boat itself was long and decorated with garlands of synthetic flowers. Like everything else in Bangkok, it was loud and colourful and the chipped paint and torn tarps only added to the charm. These long boats for hire are all of the same style and they appear to charge a flat rate per person which doesn't make much financial sense if a boat is prepared to take as many or as few people that come along. But as the guidebook suggests and as we seem to be learning, many Thai people seem to be more interested in the fun and banter of a job rather than it's financial rewards.
(A passing long boat with garlands hanging from the nose)
We were taken to the Amphawa floating markets, which are popular with locals and less touristy than some of the other floating markets. As with the city markets we'd experienced so far, it was a mish mash of goods and food and full of interesting sights, sounds and smells. There were many times where we wished we knew a local who could explain what was in front of us but maybe it's nice to keep some things a mystery.
(A heavily stocked boat with large bags of shredded coconut)
(This woman was making beautiful floral arrangements which appear to be used as offerings at temples and shrines around the city)
(Fish and fish products featured heavily at the market)
(More fish... this time being cooked on a boat)
(Limes and other tropical fruits for sale from this man's boat)
After leaving the market, we hopped back in the boat and returned to the ferry terminal. We ate lunch at a bustling restaurant by the river where we had to rest our feet on an elevated bar under the table so that the lapping river water that covered the floor wouldn't get us too wet. Following lunch, we walked to Wat Traimit to see the Golden Buddha, a 700 year old statue made of pure gold. The statue used to be covered in plaster and it was only in the 1950s, when they were relocating it and it was accidentally dropped, that the plaster cracked and revealed the gold surface within.
(Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit. The statue weighs 5.5 tonnes and is made of pure gold)
From the Golden Buddha, we wound our way back to the hotel via Chinatown. We made our way through 'Walking Street' where we saw all manner of gems, beads, fabrics, bags and shoes. It was brimming with people, haggling with vendors, trying to get the best deal. It is hard not to get swept along on the wave of bodies moving in one direction or another.
After washing off the day's sunscreen and soot back at the hotel, we headed out for dinner, hoping to catch a glimpse of Wat Arun lit up at night. We had a happy accident of finding a beautiful restaurant overlooking the river and Wat Arun. The food was excellent and we finished the night with a drink at the rooftop bar above the restaurant. Seeing the magnificent temple lit up in pinks and purples and greens and blues, it really seemed to sum up the melting pot that is Bangkok.
(A beautiful Thai meal overlooking the river)
(The view from the restaurant - Wat Arun, which means Temple of The Dawn)
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