From Seattle To Thailand, To Malaysia, And Back To Thailand, A Photo Journey Part 6

The flower market was not in my original plan, I mean, there’s so much to see, so why waste time on a flower market right?  My goal that day is to see the Grand Palace and its surrounding.  The problem?  I got up too early (blaming jetlag here) and realized they are not open yet when I was ready.  But I don’t want to sit around waiting for them to open, so I decide to use these extra time to visit the flower market.

As you can see, the flower market is right by the Chao Phraya River and the Grand Palace are just a bit up river.  This is when the whole day ticket of the river ferry work best, multi stop along the river, this will allow me to visit multiple places by the river, perfect!

By this time, I am seriously liking my choice to stay by the river, the ferry is just too convenient!  My goal this trip is to see the heart of Bangkok and I don’t have plans to wandered off too far anyway, so this has worked out way better than I can ever imagine.  I am a genius (Don’t worry, I self praise a lot, this is normal, don’t be alarm …).

To get to the flower market after getting off the ferry, you have to go through another market, the flowers market is behind it.  I was early, so the market (not the flower market) has not officially opened yet, but some vendors have started setting up and getting ready.  I took a glance at the limited storefront at the time, it was very, meh, mainly mass-produced tourist items.  It was so uninteresting that I did not take a single photo, which I should, for information purposes … But you get my point, I would walk straight through it and into the flower market.

Once you enter the flower market, you will know you are in the right place, because, uh, there are flowers everywhere, I mean, literally everywhere.  Every corner and every left and right you look, there are flowers, you are in a sea of flowers and you may get drown in!  The flowers market is indeed true to its name.

From red to blue, from pink to yellow, from white to purple, you can find flowers in any color imaginable. I saw some familiar flowers, but I can’t name the majority of it. It may take a lifetime just to learn the name of all the flowers here. 

I never thought I will see the same type of flowers in such quantity in my lifetime, but here in the market, it seems to be the norm.  A bunch of the same flower occupying a huge area, such as these purple orchid flowers here, it’s endless!

The flower market is vibrant, busy, and wet all the time. Wet from all the water needed to keep the flowers fresh and alive. At any given moment, you got distributors sending flower into the market, you got vendors who sell the flower, and you got customers who came to buy for personal use and those who buy in large quantity for resale or big events need.

A lot of these flowers, especially those in bindings, are meant for offering for the Gods and Buddha. You can also buy these to hang in your house, your car or on yourselves as well.  A lot of them smell really good, very aromatic.

So you can find flowers in its most simple and natural form, but you can also find them in all kind of binds such as leis, rings, crown and etc, whatever your needs, they got it here.

I walk through the flower market and came out the other end, it is like coming out to a new world, totally different area, different dynamic, different feel.  In a way, it’s like going through the closet in Narnia, I guess it must be how it kind of feels, to go in from a world and to come out of the other.

Regardless of where you are and how different the world is in Bangkok, one thing will never change – there will always be food.  A bakery shop got my attention so I took a closer look.

Thai cuisine is highly influenced by Chinese cuisine, their bakery is no different, these traditional biscuits, cookies, and pastries are just the same as those on the street of China, and they taste the same too.  I had a couple of it and I love it, so yummy, especially those with red bean paste inside, omg, so good, I can eat them whole day.

It seems wherever you go in the world, you can be sure to find fried chicken, no exception here in Bangkok, or I should say, especially in Bangkok.  Fried chicken is classic street food here, and these are top of the line, crunchy outside and moist inside, please, why is there so much good food here?!?  This is not good for my health at all!

You can’t just have food and no drinks, but don’t worry, coconut juice or coconut water is everywhere, even shops that sell nonfood items carry them.  I got one at a flower shop.  

After getting some food and drinks, I head back to the flower market from another street.  That’s the thing with Bangkok, every street is different, this street happens to be where vendors and distributors upload and unload their cargo and goods, mostly for the flower markets, it’s parked with trucks and vans.  The crates and cargo give the street colors and texture that make it vibrant and lively.

On the way back through the flower market, I encounter this unique bouquet in purple.  I have no idea what kind of flowers it is.  There are so many flowers here that I have never seen before, some look like they came from out of space.

There is also vegetables and fruits in the flower market as well, all kinds of it.  I was thinking this would be a perfect place on valentines day, you go to the flower sections to pick up some nice flower, then you go to the vegetable section to get some veggies.  For what you ask, for the romantic valentines dinner you will cook for your loved one of course!  See, flower and dinner all cover for, one stop shopping, perfect.

Walking through the market, I am still sipping from the coconut water I got earlier.  Ah, it is so refreshing and nice, make me cool to the core.

Remember, Bangkok is hot and humid, all the time.  I know you can’t tell from the photos, but it’s there, and sometimes it can get unbearable.  So keeping yourself hydrated is very very important, you should drink constantly, especially if you walk a lot.  Coconut water is one of the perfect hydro choices, and they are available everywhere.  Not only it can hydrate you, but it can also cool you down as well, at the same time replenishing some important vitamins and minerals for your body.

This is the ferry terminal outside the flower market, this is where I come from, and this is where I am leaving.  Enjoying the scenery along the river while waiting for the ferry is just relaxing, and giving me some much needed rest after a long walk.

I am still munching on my fried chicken purchased earlier while waiting for the ferry.  In fact, I don’t think I am without food at any given time while in Bangkok, you will find food either in my hand or in my bag.  Hey, leave me alone, the man needs his energy, especially on a long walking day like this, got to recharge for the next stop as well, The Grand Palace, see you there!

-Lumaca

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