Ploveca pijaca Damnoen Saduak, Floating Market

Na oko stotinak kilometara zapadno od Bankoka ka granici sa Burmom nalazi se provincija Ratchaburi (u prevodu ¨Zemlja Kralja¨ ) puna kulturnog nasleđa i istorijskih mesta. Kroz nju protiče reka Mea Klong koju presecaju mnogobrojni kanali. Najpopularnije turističko mesto u ovoj oblasti je ploveća pijaca Damnoen Saduak.
About hundred kilometers west from Bangkok, towards Burma border there is Ratchaburi province ( The Land of the king), full of cultural heritage and historical sites. Mea Klong river runs through it crisscrossed by many canals - khlongs. The most popular tourist spot in this area is the floating market of Damnoen Saduak.

U spletu kanala odvija se život i trgovina lokalnog stanovništva.
In the net of canals local people live and trade.


Prodavci uz pomoć vesla na svojim plitkim drvenim čamcima guraju robu uz i niz kanale i trguju. Zbog jakog sunca nose šešire napravljene od bambusa i palminog lišća. Pijaca počinje jako rano i traje uglavnom do 11.00h. Sedite u neki od čamaca i provozajte se. Doživećete fascinirajući tradicionalni still života u Jugoistočnoj Aziji i shvatiti koliko je reka važna za život i trgovinu lokalnog stanovništva.Na uzanim kanalima je uvek velika gužva pa se možete naći ¨zarobljeni¨ u saobraćaju. Pošto iz Bankoka mora da se krene vrlo rano ploveća pijaca je odlično mesto za doručak. Tu će vam na susednom čamcu, dok lagano plovite, napraviti nešto za jelo i piće ili možete kupiti raznovrsno voće (pod uslovom da se ne plašite jela izvan skupih hotela i restorana).
Vendors paddle their shallow wooden boats up and down waterways and sell or barter their goods. Because of the strong sun radiation they wear hats made from bamboo and palm leaves. The markets start in very early morning and close about 11:00 a.m. Take a boat and take a ride up and down canals. You'll experience fascinating traditional life stile of South East Asia and understand the importance of the river as a mean of commerce and living. At narrow canals there is always traffic jam so you can get " stuck in traffic". Since you must start from Bangkok early in the morning, floating market is a good place to have breakfast. While you float up the stream you can order some food and drink from a passing by boat, or you can buy various fruits (if you are not afraid of eating and drinking other than in expensive hotels and restaurants).

Pored kanala napravljeni su pijačni štandovi sa gomilama raznovrsnih suvenira i robe za horde turista koje svakodnevno posećuju pijacu. Kupite nešto za uspomenu na ovaj sićušni kutak planete koji još uvek ne želi da se budi iz starog uspavanog sveta…I naravno obavezno se cenkajte! Ukoliko ste vešti možda ponesete kući dobar komad prave tajlandske svile po neverovatno niskoj ceni!
Along canals there are market stalls with lot of various souvenirs and goods prepared for bunch of tourists which visit this market everyday. Buy something to keep a memory about this tiny corner of the planet which still doesn't want to wake up from old sleepy world… And of course, bargain is obligatory! If you are skilful you might get home a fine piece of real Thai silk bought at incredibly low price!

Jednodnevni izlet na plutajuću pijacu može se naći u bilo kojoj turističkoj agenciji u Bankoku. Odlična je tura Damnoen Saduak - Most na reci Kvaj - Hram tigrova. Cena je oko 20 eura (+ vožnja čamcem, + ulaznica u hram).
You can book a one-day trip to a floating market at any travel agency in Bangkok. Excellent tour is Damnoen Saduak - Bridge over river Kwae - Tiger Temple. Price is about 20 Euro (+boat ride,+ temple entrance ticket).