Firefly cruise

[Chromeman]

We were picked up at the hotel around 11:45. We then picked up more two groups, all Germans plus a German speaking extra guide.

About 2 hours after we were piked up driving toward north and Bangkok we were at the railway market in Amphawa.

It was a really nice market, that except for some souvenirs at the start of the market were more directed towards locals buying food. And there were all kinds of food available though local seafood were in majority.

And when we had reached the end of the market, the train come through so we did get to see the market stalls scrambling to get everything away from the aproaching train. And as soon as the train had passed, in only seconds, the displays were back where they were. Many had tables with metal wheels running on metal tracks that made it fast and easy to move the heavy tables that were heavily loaded with food.

After the railway market, we took a very short car ride to the Rama II park & museum. A really lovely place with lots of different kinds of plants, flowers and trees, and traditional buildings with tableaus of every day life during the kings reign. A very nice and calm oasis between the noise, smells and life in the previous and the forthcoming markets.

Then it was a short walk towards the floating market. After agreeing upon a common meeting point and time we all dispersed in various directions checking out the market.

After our shopping spree we took a short walk to the restaurant where we had a very nice Thai dinner.

Then after darkness arrived, our boat arrived to take us on the firefly cruise section of this trip. Unfortunately, the electric Firefly boat had a malfunction, so we had to use a boat with a regular engine instead. But it was not as loud as some of the other boats we did see and hear.
We headed up through the floating market and after a little while got to the darker reaches of the river. I guess I had given my self higher expectations about the fireflies since I had envisioned swarms of them, but the reality was from one to a few fireflies in each tree. And even trying with 2 different cameras, I did not manage to capture a single on of these 3 millimetre long glowing insects on camera. So if you want to see them, you have to take the trip your self.

After the nice boat ride, it was back in the car for the long drive south to Hua Hin. All in all a great trip that I don't regret taking!

I want to give anyone who consider taking this trip a couple of advices. First, pick up time is around lunch time, so either eat before they pick you up, or bring along some snacks so you don't end up very hungry before dinner. You do have the option to buy various kinds of food, snacks and drinks both at the railway and floating market though.

Also, if you like me, are loved by the local mosquito population, remember to bring along some repellent to slather your exposed extremities before dinner since they usually show up during dusk when you are having dinner.

Pictures from this trip is available in a Facebook album that is open also for those without a FB account: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... d9fd79d87f

[PeteC]

That's a lot of pics for one day ...but some really good ones. Did you detect any smoke or odor from the dump fire? It's not that far away from the area you were in. See thread: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=26391 Pete

[Frank La Rue]

We were picked up at the hotel around 11:45. We then picked up more two groups, all Germans plus a German speaking extra guide.

About 2 hours after we were piked up driving toward north and Bangkok we were at the railway market in Amphawa.

It was a really nice market, that except for some souvenirs at the start of the market were more directed towards locals buying food. And there were all kinds of food available though local seafood were in majority.

And when we had reached the end of the market, the train come through so we did get to see the market stalls scrambling to get everything away from the aproaching train. And as soon as the train had passed, in only seconds, the displays were back where they were. Many had tables with metal wheels running on metal tracks that made it fast and easy to move the heavy tables that were heavily loaded with food.

After the railway market, we took a very short car ride to the Rama II park & museum. A really lovely place with lots of different kinds of plants, flowers and trees, and traditional buildings with tableaus of every day life during the kings reign. A very nice and calm oasis between the noise, smells and life in the previous and the forthcoming markets.

Then it was a short walk towards the floating market. After agreeing upon a common meeting point and time we all dispersed in various directions checking out the market.

After our shopping spree we took a short walk to the restaurant where we had a very nice Thai dinner.

Then after darkness arrived, our boat arrived to take us on the firefly cruise section of this trip. Unfortunately, the electric Firefly boat had a malfunction, so we had to use a boat with a regular engine instead. But it was not as loud as some of the other boats we did see and hear.
We headed up through the floating market and after a little while got to the darker reaches of the river. I guess I had given my self higher expectations about the fireflies since I had envisioned swarms of them, but the reality was from one to a few fireflies in each tree. And even trying with 2 different cameras, I did not manage to capture a single on of these 3 millimetre long glowing insects on camera. So if you want to see them, you have to take the trip your self.

After the nice boat ride, it was back in the car for the long drive south to Hua Hin. All in all a great trip that I don't regret taking!

I want to give anyone who consider taking this trip a couple of advices. First, pick up time is around lunch time, so either eat before they pick you up, or bring along some snacks so you don't end up very hungry before dinner. You do have the option to buy various kinds of food, snacks and drinks both at the railway and floating market though.

Also, if you like me, are loved by the local mosquito population, remember to bring along some repellent to slather your exposed extremities before dinner since they usually show up during dusk when you are having dinner.

Pictures from this trip is available in a Facebook album that is open also for those without a FB account: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... d9fd79d87f

Amphawa is great great to visit and very poplar with the Thais on weekends. There is a few fish restaurants down by the oceanside - not sure but it may be where the pictures show you boarded your boat. There is a massive floating market which is also worth a visit. A great collection of pictures!

[Chromeman]

DSC_0338.JPG (137.33 KiB) Viewed 1787 times

This picture is from the entrance to the restaurant we had dinner. It was just a few meters from the floating market itself.
Did a "check in" in FB, this was the name according to my gf: แพเจ้าสำราญ@อัมพวา

No, I did not notice the smoke from Bangkok.

[Frank La Rue]

DSC_0338.JPG

This picture is from the entrance to the restaurant we had dinner. It was just a few meters from the floating market itself.
Did a "check in" in FB, this was the name according to my gf: แพเจ้าสำราญ@อัมพวา

No, I did not notice the smoke from Bangkok.

Showing it to wifey as we speak, she says it means "At Amphawa"

[Gérard]

DSC_0338.JPG

This picture is from the entrance to the restaurant we had dinner. It was just a few meters from the floating market itself.
Did a "check in" in FB, this was the name according to my gf: แพเจ้าสำราญ@อัมพวา

No, I did not notice the smoke from Bangkok.

Showing it to wifey as we speak, she says it means "At Amphawa"

แพเจ้าสำราญ@อัมพวา = Chao Samran Raft@Amphawa
เจ้าสำราญ = Chao Samran, the name of the restaurant, meaning "happy guy"
แพ = raft

[Frank La Rue]

DSC_0338.JPG

This picture is from the entrance to the restaurant we had dinner. It was just a few meters from the floating market itself.
Did a "check in" in FB, this was the name according to my gf: แพเจ้าสำราญ@อัมพวา

No, I did not notice the smoke from Bangkok.

Showing it to wifey as we speak, she says it means "At Amphawa"

แพเจ้าสำราญ@อัมพวา = Chao Samran Raft@Amphawa
เจ้าสำราญ = Chao Samran, the name of the restaurant, meaning "happy guy"
แพ = raft

Thanks for the clarification. Just for the record I showed my wife the thai wording in the text, not the writing on the sign

[Chromeman]

This "@อัมพวา" means "At Amphawa". She ignored the part before the @.

[Big Boy]

Thanks for the report Chromeman. I will come back to you with a more comprehensive response later (not much time at the moment). I have mixed feelings at the moment - it's not the day I was expecting, but interesting all the same, and includes some additional things I'd like to see. I'll be seeking a few bits of clarification.

[Khundon1975]

Thanks for the report and pics Chromeman.

We did that area several years ago and I really enjoyed the hustle and bustle that all the Thai markets have.
You would have to be a real train spotter to live so close to the railway tracks but they seem to enjoy it.

Unfortunately, we did not get to do the evening firefly trip, as we had to catch a plane to Japan the next day, so it was early to bed instead. Maybe next time.

[Vital Spark]

Nice report, Chromeman, thanks for that. We haven't been on that particular trip, but it looks like a goodie for when we have friends over.

VS

[Chromeman]

Shure BB, ask whenever you want. Also, there are people from Mermaid Cruises active here and I am sure they would like to clarify anything if needed.

Tomorrow morning at 08:30 they are picking us up for the sea cruise with 'The Peacock', their big and yellow boat to Monkey Island and Sam Roi Yod National Park and with an optional trip to Phraya Nakhon Cave that I will take. Really want to see that cave and that royal pavilion inside, and maybe even get a few nice pictures of it too...

[Chromeman]

Nice report, Chromeman, thanks for that. We haven't been on that particular trip, but it looks like a goodie for when we have friends over.

VS

Yes, should be good to visualize some very unique Thai culture and life in a fairly short timespan, both historical and contemporary.

[joelle]

could you please tell us at roughly what time the train goes by as I have taken friends there many times but unfortunately never saw the train

[Gérard]

could you please tell us at roughly what time the train goes by as I have taken friends there many times but unfortunately never saw the train

You have to be patient because the train is never on time, the track is very bad...