It was quite interesting though to hear workers doing morning exercises at the construction sites nearby. There seemed to be very ongoing projects, and not sure if the view would be obstructed next time.
We visited a night market which was quite far from our hotel. About 30 mins taxi ride. It was a "Train Market" - a very huge complex behind Secon Shopping Centre. The complex was huge and there were exhibits - old vehicles on display. This night market was different from Chatuchak or the night markets that we visited. However, we didn't buy anything though we took some photos. Weather was hot in Aug, and probably why we didn't stay long enuff till dusk. I had wanted to buy a couple shirt but they dun have our sizes.
Have wanted to do the Mae Khlong Train Market route for many times. This time round, we decided to do so via tour agency. Didn't want to be bothered with the DIY journey, and not sure if the market was opened or not. We joined this Taiwanese-operated tour agency and it was quite fun mingling with the travellers. There were 4 taiwanese in the group, and my wife was de facto tour guide. She explained and talked more than the tour guide. I think she is a natural "tour guide". While she was entertaining the group, I was too tired and dozed off on the return leg. Focusing on the Train Market, it was very fun to see the train moving slowly into the market and the vendors steadily keeping their stuff. My dear was too excited and she accidentally stepped onto the "boundary" of one auntie and she slapped my wife's leg. Frankly, I was a bit pissed off by the action but my wife looked quite guilty and our focus was re-directed to the coming train. Till now, I could still remember the "loud slap on the leg" - actually I was quite angry. My wife was still videoing as the train crawled in and I have to keep telling her to come back behind the railings. Behind the backdrop was constant loud whistling by the train warden.
Part of the tour package included the famous touristy Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Unlike the previous round with my parents, my wife and I were sitting in a wooden boat going through fun corners of the river. A bit different. The stalls seem to be lacking in variety of stuff to sell - not as interesting as before. I tried to find the big fan hanging on the wall but couldn't find it. I remember my mum took a photo with it and it wasn't there anymore. Something similar no longer there.
We also tried thai cooking class this time. Haha, I used to be quite reluctant to do so but since we had a longer holiday, we decided to try. We got to learn to cook green curry, satay and tom yam soup during the lesson. It was quite interesting to start the class by visiting a local market and understanding how to select the ingredients. During the class, the first task was to chop a bunch of ingredients and my wife thought I would be quite slow to do so. However, when she saw me chopping like a "pro", she knew she was the slow one. Another surprise for her was the operation of the stove. I was able to on the gas without much difficulty, and I was grinning at her with my "achievement". However, I was labelled by our teacher to do "bungy jump"ing the ingredients. The oil looked pretty hot and so I "dropped" the stuff into the pot and it was "bungy jumping" to the teacher.
We got to know a mother and daughter team during the lesson. The mother was quite surprised to know that we purposely came to learn cooking as part of our trip. She had thought we were working in BKK. Her daughter however was actually working there. When we shared about the cost of ABC cooking, she mentioned that we could do "instalment". Didn't get the point that we wanted to put across for sharing.
It was quite fun doing things together and doing different things in familiar grounds. Truly enjoyed the good longer break and made new discoveries with new experiences:
* My wife bought a few local lady wear and she looked like a local Thai lady in it
* We also stayed at Chinatown and we got to see morning Chinatown and taste a new noodle shop
* Morning Chinatown market was where my wife got her local wear
* Stayed in cab for nearly 1 hour during evening peak and didn't realise the long duration when we were chatting
* First time doing haircut in BKK
* Coffee Bean-ing at Dao - very nice cake shop
* Volunteering work to play with babies - a very unique experience and we hope we had made a little joy in the short day with the babies
* 7-11 Banana cakes were very popular snacks
* A new vegetable that goes well with egg - a dish recommended by our Thai friend
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