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TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
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“Wedding and more sight seeing and more shopping (of course!)” |
The Wedding
We came back to Bangkok for a wedding and a few more days of hanging out in Bangkok.
Camm’s wedding was the first traditional Thai wedding that I’ve been to. The wedding was held at Camm’s parents’ house. The house was a very large house on the block and relative to all other houses I saw in Bangkok. When I walked in and saw the bride and groom chanting with the Budhist monks, I realized that the wedding was going to be a grand affair. Camm was in a beautiful cream color Bangkok traditional wedding outfit. Camm’s new husband was in a Thai military formal outfit as he is in the military.
The wedding continued with the groom giving the bride various cash bundles and jewelry to symbolize the sharing of his assets to her. The wedding included the bride and groom performing a ceremony where they ask for forgiveness of all bad deeds that they may have done and for good fortune from elder family members. The elders then in return gave them gifts. Also, the guests took turns pouring water on the guests’ hands to wish them luck on their marriage. The bride and groom then posed with each set of families and friends that attended.
The wedding included breakfast and lunch. Thai lunch was catered Chinese food, but with a little bit of a Thai flair to it. I was told that it is tradition that Chinese food is served instead of Thai food.
The wedding ended for the day but was to continue on Sunday evening.
On Sunday, we got prepared for attending the Sunday evening party. We went to Siam Square where the local high school/college students hung out. It’s a great place to find “cool” clothes and a little bit of off-beat style but it is pricey there.
At the party, Camm was in beautiful white modern (American type) wedding dress. It was a quick 1.5 hour party where hor douerves were served. The bride and groom got on stage and spoke a few words. A Thai general, who is the uncle of the groom, also spoke. This was a high society wedding with plenty of important people to speak. There was no dancing and no singing, thus it was a quick ceremony. The bride did throw her bouquet to the un-wed females standing by (a very western tradition).
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
On the Monday after, Kann’s friend, Ahn, took us to the Floating Market. The Floating Market was 1.15 hours outside of Bangkok and costs 300 bauts but well worth it. It wasn’t as vibrant as all the postcard pictures had shown but there were still plenty of boats full of beautiful fruits, vegetables, and things to eat. We bought many snacks during our ride. Many merchants were selling the same craft items that street vendors sold. I got to eat star fruit and mangosteen (finally!) so I am happy. Unfortunately there were no refrigerator magnets to buy.
Hoi Lod
After the floating market, Ahn took us to the Hoi Lod (or Laud). This was not in any travel books that I had but it was a great little place at the bay about 30 minutes south of the Floating Market.
This place is famous for seafood, the shells that wash onto the shore in the evenings, and fireflies. We visited during the days, so we didn’t see the shells on the shore or the fireflies but we sure had a great lunch at the local restaurant that overlooked the Bay. I don’t remember the name of the restaurant but it had the best baby soft-shell crab I ever had. Thai beer and Thai seafood is sure good together!
Chao Praya Canal Ride
We also did the Chao Praya canal ride. It was cheaper to just get a taxi and go then finding a tour. Kinn seem to be able to find yet another friend to take us to Chao Praya river where the piers for the canal rides were available.
The boats are fast boats and you get your own driver. Even at the river, you can see Buddist temples, a few new buildings and also some run down homes.
The coolest thing we did was to buying bread from someone in a little boat and then feeding the bread to the fish in front of a temple along the river. That water area in front of the temple is considered sacred and therefore nobody fishes there. Thus, the fish getting the bread was huge and abundant.
After the boat ride, I headed to Wot Arun where the lying goddess was. I put the coins into the ~ 25 bowls.
previous travel blog entry
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