Photo Shoot: Klong Toey Market

The Klong Toey Market is Bangkok's largest "wet" market. And this is where we, some aspiring photographers,  went for our latest field trip. After a civilised morning coffee at our meeting point, we were dropped off on Rama IV, near the Rajadapisek (Asoke) crossing, the "main" entrance of the market.

The first lane of stalls, located between a klong (canal) and the Rama IV road is the most smelly and gruesome area. It is were fresh fish and grilled fish is sold, and you can observe the handling in-between. Still alive ducks and gooses in cages next to grilled fellows. Frogs bundled in nets, and bloody skinned frogs - both kinds still alive and twitching.

I had to take one quick pic for documentation, but I am putting it at the very end of this post:

thinking of becoming a vegetarian ...

These ladies really enjoyed having their picture taken!

warm-up exercise :capture something blue (rice for sale)

a composition of  fresh fishes

a colourful market "scene"

production of thin pan cakes, and a girl in love?

refreshing drinks: syrup on ice in plastic bags

fruit and vegetable stalls with carrier

my favourite : reflections after the rain and smoking guy 

Gruesome: skinned frogs, twitching, and blood dripping on the floor

Well, if you don't want to see gruesome food chain and smell nasty odours, just leave out the first lane along the big road Rama 4. There is a reason why these markets are called "wet" markets. They sell fresh fish and meat and the floors underneath these stalls are wet from drippings of melting ice, leaking baskets and blood.

Our photo shoot took about 1 1/2 hours and we all enjoyed it. One thing I realised when visiting Klong Toey market is that it is a colourful sight worth seeing while in Bangkok. For all visitors, tourists and residents. But make sure you are able to take a shower after visiting, because splashing fishes might leave fishy smells on you ...

Happy Songkran ! - Happy New Year!

Happy Songkran Day! - Suksan Wan Songkran !

Songkran is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional Thai New Year festival from 13 -17 of April (every year same date). This festival is also known as "water festival", when people are throwing tons of water at each other to mark the end of the hot and dry season. Beside that, Thai people celebrating Songkran as a Buddhist festival may also go to a temple to pray and give food to monks. They may clean Buddha images at home or temples by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year.

11 Reasons We Love Chaophraya Express Boat Taxis

Chaophraya River Taxi Boat

Our favourite public transportation in Bangkok - beside the sky train - are the river taxis - or Chayophraya Express boats.

And the reasons why to take the water transportation - when visiting a friend who lives a long the river, the Grand Palace or Wat Pho, the Flower Market, River City Shopping Centre, Khao San Road, Suan Thip Restaurant near Nanthaburi Pier or Ko Kret - are:

1. River taxis are fun! It is exciting to jump on and off the "river bus" and sit in one of these 70ies plastic chairs near the water and get splashed (or not)
2. They are fast - the whistle is long and loud and means departure!
3. They offer authentic travel among locals, school kids, business men, monks
4. The rides are scenic as you travel on the best part of Bangkok, the Chaophraya river, river of kings, along  impressive bridges, luxury hotels, famous temples, and embassies and residences in charming villas.
5. You avoid being stucked in traffic jam, especially in Chinatown, and on Friday afternoons

Photo Shoot: Wat Pho Bangkok

Reclining Buddha at Wat Poh

A group of ladies, mainly British, interested in improving their photo taking skills, met up early one day at Sapan Taksin Pier. When the river taxi arrived, they all hoped on board, and with a loud and long whistle the river taxi continued its journey on the Chaophraya river up North.

When the sound of coins shaked in a box approached us, we purchased our taxi tickets (15 baht one way) from a lady dressed in orange.

The river taxi passed the Oriental Hotel and French Embassy on the right and the Peninsula Hotel on the left, and a few stops later the Memorial bridge (Flower market). When Wat Arun can be spotted on the left, then it's time to prepare for the hop off at Tha Tien, river taxi stop number 8.

Pass the smelly dried fish market stands and cross the small road ahead and you have reached Wat Pho. My favourite "Must See Spot" in Bangkok. This temple, also known as Wat Chetuphon, is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok.

Travelling back in Time: Wat Nivet Dhamma Prawat Compound

a bride and a groom posing for their wedding photo album

There is a small island in the Chao Phraya River near Bang Pa-in Summer Palace. It is a serene and tranquil realm on the river, and can only be reached by boat or an iron cage lift across the river. Reaching the island already seems like travelling back in time.

our expedition over the Chao Phraya river

The freshly yellow ocre painted monks quarters and houses make you feel like having entered a different country - located somewhere around the Mediterranean Sea.