The Floating Market

On Sunday morning, we got up and went to the floating market.  The boats we were taking were right across the street from our hotel, so it was easy as can be to get there.

There is a large system of canals, many of which back up to people's homes and yards.

When you get into the actual shopping section, it gets much more crowded.
The driver would pull up to the store fronts and the shop owner would try to talk you into things she thinks you may like to buy.
Unfortunately for them, we had already been to Chatuchak, the weekend market in Bangkok, which covers 35 acres and has so many vendors that if you want something, you have to buy it the first time you see it as the chances of you ever finding it again are very slim!  We went to the floating market mostly just for the experience.  And a progressive breakfast!
Right after this picture was taken, we righted a very serious error...each family had been in their own boat with the Beaven portion of the equation being completely unable to communicate with either their driver OR the shop keepers.  We pulled up next to the Ashlock boat and Abby and I switched over while Ryan and Madeline hopped into our boat.

And what a breakfast it was!  We just stopped at different boats and ordered what we wanted.  We had lots of yummy fruit.  This lady had those little bananas that are so much sweeter than their larger counterparts.

We bought a pomelo from this woman.  You can see her cutting it up for us here.

In certain parts of the canal, there were so many people and boats that you would have to shout to the shopkeeper what you wanted and she would lift them over to you using a pole with a hook.  Your money would just be handed to the people in the boat next to you who would pass it next to them and so forth until it made it to it's intended recipient.

There is shopping from the ground if you prefer.  We really liked taking the boats!

Super yummy coconut pancakes!
We also found a stand that had vegetarian spring rolls.
Jeremy and Ryan had grilled bananas.

The housing along the river varied greatly.  Some of the homes were very nice, others...well, like Marshall would say, they are very resourceful.  

A water version of a plant nursery!

When we first hopped in our boat and started moving, I immediately told my kids to watch their mouths and to not leave them hanging open so the water could splash in.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this lady is brushing her teeth and washing her face in the water.

Another resident of the canal performing his morning routine outside.

We parted ways for a bit, but near the end, we found the other boat!

Funny Lia and a mini banana!

One of my favorite Thai foods...mangoes and sticky rice!
The little plastic bag on the inside is full of sweet coconut milk.

The lady Amelia bought her souvenir from tried to give her this fruit.  It is called a rambutan.
She wanted nothing to do with it and refused to take it from the woman.  Marshall was brave enough to though!

Can't really blame her for not wanting to reach out and grab it.  Looks a lot like a sea urchin, doesn't it?

Once the spiky exterior was removed, the inside had the smooth, cool, slippery texture of a grape that has had it's peel removed.  I think it kind of tasted like a grape that isn't very sweet.  If you've eaten a lychee, I think it's close to that.

I don't think Marshall is a fan of the taste.

Or Amelia.
Oh well!  We'll all just stick to the mangoes and sticky rice!