Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour
This was a six hour tour. We rode a bus for an hour and a half to get to this special market in a fishing village. It was interesting to be able to get away from a city and see how people live inland. Passed a huge area where people were making salt from ocean water by evaporation. They salt a lot of the fish they catch and export. Saw what must have been the world’s largest IKEA. This is a Buddhist nation and there were little shrines outside most driveways leading to businesses. We got to the market and got in a flat boat with a motor. The fishing villagers live in teak houses on stilts on the canals. Sort of a tiny Venice. We quickly got to the market. The vendors were in both sides and also in boats like ours. No prices. Had to bargain. We got out of the boat and were allowed to ….guess what! Wander around the market on shore. A parade came by with dragon dancers, fireworks, and several trucks with holy men who who blessed us with holy water. The vendors came out to see what was going on and got blessed too. A police car followed to show the parade was official. I think it was about trying to get people to vote for someone, or a show coming to town and drumming up business. So, long drive back. Rested up and back in busses for an amazing evening. We were taken to a Thai event center that sits on 200 acres. This place has exact replicas of ancient shrines, grand palaces, and traditional palaces. The place was opened for our event. We were treated to Thai drinks and snacks and a great show of traditional Thai dances. Costumes were beautiful and dancers were so were the dances we saw. We finished the evening lighting candles and making a wish then setting the candles into a pond. A lovely site. So then back by bus home. Same IKEA. Very long day.
Where in the world is Dalna 