Gabe's Post - Bangkok, the final day.

Bangkok, well not really. We left Bangkok on a bus and about 100km later we arrive in a small village which seems to survive only to run a floating market. Our tour guide is a long haired thai man who made sure we knew everything that was going to happen and when to everyone in our group at any point in time at every time he could tell us. But that is besides the point. The point is, we arrived at this river and got in one of those long boats with car engines attached to sticks propelling them and shot down a little canal. It was an intense ride, lots of splashing and bumping, but no water actually got on us.

The canal brought us through a few houses, mostly wooden shacks on stilts by the side of the river. Eventually, after about 20 minutes of navigating a few canals, we were brought to what looked like a big floating market. Turns out this was the floating market. It used to used mostly to sell fruit and food, but has since then been converted to sell souvenirs and some of the stuff you find on the streets of Bangkok. We payed 150 baht to ride in a small boat, which took along a canal, across several stalls containing goods. This made bargaining difficult, because if you showed any interest at all, the paddle man took you to the stand and waited there until the transaction was complete, or the shop owner waved him on. I bought a pyramid hat thing for Michelle, and she made a few purchases herself, but mostly we just enjoyed the ride and the shade the stands gave us. The ride was about 25-30 minutes, and brought as back to the walking market right next to the floating market. Here me and Michelle wandered until our pick up time. We made a few more purchases, one of which was some sort of flat dried fruit which has yet to be identified (though it tasted just like dates).

Then our guide whisked us away and we made a stop at a furniture store, which had lots of really cool wood works and some people making more. 20 minutes here, then we made our way back to Bangkok. It was a nice ride, we saw a bunch of temples on the way, a few royal things here and there. We came to a stop in another gem shop, it was a quick stop and soon we were on our way back to the hotel. There we  checked out and put our luggage in storage, and made a quick walk on the street. I bought some fried locusts, which tasted like popcorn, a beer, and a red bull (not in that order). Michelle got some more chicken sticks and some orange soda. I then bought some more thai tea and accidentally some chicken livers, thinking it was chicken hearts. Basically we spent the extra 100 baht I had in my wallet (that was all 3 dollars). This took place for about an2 hours, until our airport transfer arrived and we loaded up and started to exit Bangkok. I am told (i fell asleep instantly) the ride was uneventful. The airport was cool and had lots of nice stuff and we even got these free little bracelet things.

Hour flight left 10 minutes late, which turned out to be important because when we landed we missed the last train by 7 minutes and had to take a taxi all the way back. We then immediately showered and fell into a very long sleep, until almost 12.

Goodnight-lah <3