The Coconut

The versatile tree and its fruits have brought many benefits to the country. The fruit may be small but everything about it is usable whether for export or local use. When you need a drink, it quenches your thirst.

 The coconut drink is famous for its healing traits and keeps the body cool; do you believe it?

 The husk is good material for the broom.

Sometimes the husk is used to keep new growth under shade.

 Ake was kind enough to bring us here before heading for the floating market. He is very proud of his country and sings praises about it all the time; a good ambassador indeed. He says for playing football in his younger days; he is now given a pension of 50000 baht monthly and is taxable if he is not yet 60. So this year his revenue is not taxable because of his seniority. Tax is low in the country and the poorer rural folks are given a lot of help to start small businesses mostly related to the agricultural sector.

 The coconut milk in its fresh state is essential for Thai dishes and adds taste potently. You feel the difference in taste without it. When boiled and processed, it is used as sugar; more commonly called the 'gula melaka' ; also a popular product among local use.

 Crystallization; I believe. So you see, in whatever state it is still versatile.

If there is a tree one should keep, it is the coconut tree.

Yes, the santan and its milk is strong food flavoring !

 Look at the great variety of products for sale ; all from the coconut.

 Coconut oil is medicinal and has provided relief to many aches and pains including insect bites.

 When not used as food and medicine, it can be turned into handbags and even cigarette trays.

 Coconut shells used as decorative items.

 Other by products at the tourist center.

 Handbags of crocodile, cow and other hides.

 Besides hats, dad eyes paintings. He tries to get some on tours.

 The floating market depicted on the sketch caught his eye. Not very expensive as the starting price was 3000 baht. Guess the price I got it for. At such places, do not be ashamed to haggle. You get what you want if only you are bold enough to ask.

 Pinocchios for sale; made out of coconut shells... 

 Ake says Thailand is home to the orchid; weather and the like suitable for growth here.

 These are wild versions; I remember seeing them in the backyard garden of grandpa Lau in Muar. They grew freely and wildly on bigger trees. Today it becomes endangered as it grows into extinction. I also remember seeing it on the Lux soap wrappers in my younger days and so they rekindled a lot of memories.

The coconut is not a fussy tree; grows easily and freely especially on sandy soil besides the seas and provides hope to the local folks. With the products of the tree, it has enhanced tourism and increases revenue. 

What an awesome tree.

The Floating Market

 This is not exactly the best solution to booking a trip but when you choose to be truly free and easy, then you may have to dig your pocket for comfort and avoid the crowd.

Dad said no worries; book through the hotel.

So when I received a mail from Groupon for a rate which was a fraction of what we paid,  I wondered who had the last laugh.

 It is indeed hassle-free when you just ask the receptionist to book a destination.

 So they book a tour guide as well and a van fit for 5.

I asked dad about the extravagance and he casually brushed  me off.

Ake, the tour guide is an entertainer. 

He spoke non-stop throughout the one and half journey out of Bangkok to the renown tourist spot.

Not much English is spoken in Bangkok and the tour agency must have tried hard.

When we told him we were Malaysians, he associated the country with football. He was a national player and remembered veterans like Soh Chin Aun and Arumugam; the national goal keeper of the 70s.He confided that Thailand never had a chance to beat the Malaysian Contingent in all the games played in Merdeka Stadium but managed to do otherwise in the then SEAP games outside Malaysia !

He paid a price for his passion as he has a knee injury and now walks with a limp.

So we hear stories after stories.

 A small fee was paid for the ride on the canal; more commonly known as the klong here.

 The sampan ride was smooth and easy and very soon in sight was the much talked about market. Apparently Thailand, blessed with rivers and canals capitalizes on them and make good the facility through tourism.

 We looked with awe and excitement as this was the first time we enjoy a boat ride along a man-made canal.

 The mango and durian rice combination is popular among the locals and tourists. 

Too much of it though can cause indigestion.

 Thailand's natural drink; the coconut.

A coconut or two in a week keeps all fevers away.

 The rambutans and other local fruits are sold widely and I was thrilled by the sight of them.

 Along the banks of the canals are also shopping lots selling all forms of clothes, footwear and souvenirs.

 Tourists are lured to the way trade is transacted and do not mind the cost .

 Talk about varieties; the vendor is all out to attract buyers.

 The catapult; a long-lost item found during my childhood times is still found here.

I can imagine the boys getting hold of them in schools!

 Great advertisement.

 They really had a wide display of spices, beverages and the like.

 Trading afloat the boat; it's refreshing to us and livelihood here is surely dependent on the sales.

 You can get plenty of souvenirs too.

 They sell fish noodles too.

 Fried banana fritters too.

The lady on the boat was angry at us for getting into her way; Ake tried pacifying her.

 The lady with the hat sells hats. See how she maneuvers her vessel. She uses a long pole to pull our boat closer to hers so that we could choose what we liked. Ake warned us of the escalated price here. Ake need not worry. He doesn't know what a haggler I can be. Nobody can take away this gift from me.

 Dad has a penchant for hats. He collects them since his younger days and every time he sees something different from his collection, he will pick them.He liked the shape of the hat worn by the vendor.

See he has chosen one similar to hers.

 Then Ake chipped in his opinion and babbled non-stop about the choices.

 Yes, he said. That's the one !

What about it?

 Ha. Dad picked one that was close to Ake's heart. He said he wore that; in fact all school boys wore that to school when he was in school. Now the students do not wear straw hats anymore. They put on PVC ones. He kept ranting that the hat really evoked old memories.

He sure had customers who also appreciate old things.

So dad bought two.

Guess the price?

The vendor started with 700 baht.

Make a good guess of how much I haggled for.

 When back home, dad quickly hanged them up. See his collection; some of which are already 30 years of age kept from the days of young. Can you spot the 2 hats bought at the floating market?

 We were told that the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is not the ultimate; that there are busier ones some of which only open during the weekends. But this is absolutely fine with us. We had a new experience and gave us an insight to the livelihood of the locals.