Up The Mighty River Flow

Outboard riding anyone ?

Bangkok as seen along its water ways .

That was what we did when we reached Bangkok . We deposited our bags at the hotel ; rested for a while ; and Nancy our tour guide was waiting for us by the time we got back downstairs . We were all rearing to go .

A first time for Amir and Uzair sitting in long boat .

The Chaopraya River .......a name which I used to hear when I was studying geography years ago at school. I can't believe I was there at the sides of its bank and about to scale a part of its length .

The few vegetation that broke away from shore .

The river is relatively clean and not of that muddy color . No other rubbish were seen strewn in the river . Though we spotted some kind of vegetation floating ......those that broke away from the river bank .

Grim faces ??

As for my children , it was their first experience in a long boat . I never did ask how they felt . Were they scared ? Taking into account all of us were not strong swimmers .......I bet I was the only one asking as to when they would pass us the life vests . We never did use any .......which hardly surprised me .

A boat ride that brought memories for mum in law.

The river is hugh ..and the water was choppy .....made worst when we encountered other vessels plying the water way too .

Here comes the waves ..hang on tight !!

Our long boat would slow down each time it encountered another vessel until the waves created by that vessel subsided . How the boat rocked ......plus its passengers . If there was more space in it , I would have rolled too .

What a feeling .......!!

How the boat bobbed up and down ...swaying on its side too .....and how the boatman tried his best to ensure the boat stayed upright and did not capsize . My God ...how these people took safety for granted .





I could only say my prayers ......and hope GOD would take care of us . I did not say anything to hubby but told him so when we reached the river bank . He said the life vests were there ...tucked way under the bow of the boat . Man!!!!!




From afar we could see modern high rise buidings dotting along the river front .

See how hugh the river is . Along this river lies other tributaries . We entered into one and had a close up view of Bangkok's dwellings and a peek into their life as well .




Most houses faces the river tributaries . As such almost all houses has their own little berthing area for small sampans and boats to berth along side ; for loading and unloading of things as well as its household members .




Some business transactions were conducted from boats . Very enterprising ......these Thais .



So who says business needs only to be conducted on dry land ? We saw this lady cooking food; could see the smoke billowing from her sampan . She cooked away and did not pause to look at the other vessels along the route ; nor was she bothered when her boat was not that steady on the water ..while the lady in the house was waiting patiently for the food she had ordered .


When we reached land ..I was a bit dizzy headed ; I recovered and was able to njoy the rest of the tour .