…Sunday Mornings Only.

The fact the market is Sunday mornings only, plus the current hot weather, would explain why I was on the road before 7:30 this morning. I’m not complaining, but it’s hot. 30°C when I left home. So it’s a good idea to get everything done by midday, at which point you start to melt.

The market is only a few kilometers north of the city – which seems to stop as you cross the Tapi River. It can take 20 – 30 minutes to crawl into the city from the ringroad, and then suddenly there’s nothing but plantations, jungles and tributaries of the main river. And of course the market. It’s hidden behind a wat which is under construction or renovation…

It was so early that Buddha was still asleep, but at least he’d remembered to tie a string to his thumb to remind him to do whatever Buddhas do when they eventually wake up…

And as you can see, there were cars. Hundreds of them. This is obviously a popular place, which I took as a good sign.

Walking to the back of the wat compound you come to the river, where it’s obvious that if you do this properly you arrive by boat…

Conical hats are provided. Unless you’re the boat lady…

The best thing to do first is to cross the bridge. Then you are faced with a whole variety of sights and sounds.

What sounds? People playing loud music, someone shouting some kind of running commentary … “Look out, there’s a farang on the bridge” … probably not, but it all seemed a touch chaotic until the brain adjusted and it became normal.

Someone called me in the middle of this mayhem, and I had to apologize as there was no way I was going to hear anything.

But there are peaceful parts. Interesting buildings…

…an orchid or two…

…and of course food … lots and lots and lots of food…

…but what the heck is it? Beats me. I’ve already made plans to visit again with a Thai friend, and hopefully she can answer these important questions. Stay tuned.

I also want to try the creative seating arrangements…