Longtailing it down the khlongs

This week, we have Eric and Cody in town visiting from NYC. They've had an action-packed first couple of days. On Sunday, on the suggestion from Bibi and Poppy during their trip out in December, we and a bunch of friends rented a longtail boat and headed to the khlongs (canals). Our one stop was going to be Taling Chan floating market and, for the rest of the time, we just wanted to ride through the khlongs.

Bangkok used to be (maybe still is?) called the "Venice of the East" due to all of its canals. Many have since been filled in but there is still a healthy network of canals that continue to operate in Bangkok. The back canals that we went on give an interesting glimpse into another side of life in Bangkok, much like heading down side streets somewhere else. For instance, you travel by people's homes:

 This guy rode up to our boat and sold us and our driver a couple cans of beer.

We also saw some great statues and temples along the way.

Even some cool plantlife.

Other longtails zipped by.

 

Took in some local color.

 

We were held up at some locks, which was fine and interesting except there was a dead dog in the water (literally right behind where Cody is sitting), which was simultaneously sad and quite smelly.

We finally made it to the floating market, which consisted of a floating portion and a walking portion. There, we found some good eats (grilled crab, chicken satay, papaya, mu yang, etc.) and unique sights.

 (the two E's feeding the fish)

 (snails, eels and baby turtles)

 

Then, back in the longtail for some more cruising around.

The kids loved it.

 

Once back on the big river, the water got really choppy...

...and we jostled past the big temples like Wat Arun...

...getting sprayed in the face as we made our way back to the pier.