Take the steep, rickety timber steps leading from the main walkways down to the water’s edge to sellers floating in their wooden sampans waiting to serve up their speciality. Whole steamed crabs, fried mackerel (a local speciality), and my favourites - grilled prawns, and som tam (Green Papaya salad) await. Unless you ask otherwise, it’s served on disposable plates ready to be eaten on the spot! Dining by the water, the sun going down, on delicious fresh cooked seafood for just 100 baht…it doesn’t get much better than that!
One of the market’s many draws is its endless spread of khanom or Thai sweets/snacks, which the town is known for. There's even a "Thai dessert museum" nearby. We wandered the banks frequently stopping to check-out what was on offer. The sweet sticky rice stuffed into 20-30 cm long pieces of bamboo and grilled (steamed) over coals was delicious. Also on offer - all manner of colourful treats made from rice flour, coconut, mung bean and more – many a little too bright and wobbly for my liking! The narrow walkways along the edge of the canal do seem to magnify the sense of crowds, yet it's easy to pop into a little coffee shop or eatery with comfortable seating for respite if feeling overwhelmed.
We discovered a tranquil garden just off the walkway – tables set under frangipani trees laden with sweet smelling flowers. An ideal spot to enjoy a late afternoon Iced Coffee. At the back of this peaceful garden, we also spotted a line of armchairs with footstools in front – Thai massage! Precisely what our weary feet and legs wanted. One hour of expert manipulation takes away all manner of pain, reviving us for more market wandering! If experiencing Amphawa from on the canals is your thing then for around 100 baht you can join a 45-minute tour on one of many long-tail sampans. Long timber flat bottom boats with a sharp bow and a more full stern where the motor and skipper are placed. Rows of timber planks across the slender sampan act as seating, often only fitting 2 or 3 people per row. A very traditional ‘on water’ experience taking you into the nearby canals and along a stretch of the Mae Khlong.
Our visit to Amphawa was fantastic and reinforced how lucky we are with so many new opportunities just waiting for us to get out and experience in this adventure and discovery-filled “Land of Smiles”!
About the Author Michael and Vivien Cullen moved to Hua Hin Thailand 2.5 years ago from Brisbane Australia and find delight in exploring the delights Thailand offers.
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