Jennifer Nixon is the founder of Scarlet
Wonderland, a colourful lifestyle blog following her cultural,
hilarious and down-right ridiculous travel tales from all corners
of the globe… here she tells us about one of her most memorable
travel experiences - on the floating markets of Bangkok
"I thought we were going on a speed boat?"I hissed at my friend
as I tentatively clambered into the bright red canoe."...like James
Bond; that's what she said didn't she?! This is just a
shell... with an engine."
"Shush", she hissed back, the boat rocking dangerously as she
climbed in,
I'd been looking forward to this experience all day; after
months of reading guide books and far too many detours, I was
finally about to see the famous floating markets of
Bangkok!
Ning; our self-proclaimed guide, had spent the day describing
how we would reach our destination in style:"We're taking a speed
boat"she said,"Just like James Bond"she said... being completely
dense on the ins and outs of the films, it goes without saying
that the rickety looking canoe wasn't quite what I'd envisaged
when "speed boats" and "James Bond" were thrown together in a
sentence.
I grasped hold of the edge and peered over the side at the muddy
water, wondering what on earth I was thinking by entrusting my life
to
But there was no time to reconsider as, with a sudden jerk that
nearly saw my camera hurtling into the water, we were on our way;
blasting down the river with the wind in our hair...
...and it was amazing!
I can categorically say that the trip to the
markets was one of the most unique and downright fabulous
experiences I've had. Whizzing past the residents homes was the
perfect way to catch a glimpse of the Bangkok culture in it's true
glory whilst basking in the beautiful scenery that you
would believe existed just miles from the big city.
The markets themselves were a hive of activity; the sound of
people haggling for goods echoed off the water, the rich colours
blended together to create a masterpiece and the smells of
unrecognisable foods filled the air. It was like nowhere I'd
ever been before,and I couldn't get enough.
Drunk on the atmosphere, I began my haggling frenzy - all the
time thinking how I was going to convince my friend to give me some
of her luggage allowance.
The floating markets are so far removed from anywhere I've ever
been before, and having the chance to view the Thai culture at its
rawest is something I think everyone should experience.
Read more about Jen's experiences in Thailand at www.scarletwonderland.com follow her on twitter
@scarletWLand on
keep up on facebook.com/scarletwonderland
If you're as enchanted by the bustling rivers that run through
Asia as Jen, why not think about a river cruise, whether it's
Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia you're sure to have the experience of
a lifetime.