One giant market-Bangkok part 2

By day and by night, floating or street side, Bangkok pulses with endless markets. It's dizzying alleyways packed with vendors and food stalls never ceases to disappoint. Day markets under covered, cramped alleys are a great way to escape from the scorching temperatures while the floating markets and night markets are breezier, cooler ways grab some cheap finds and delicious authentic Thai delicacies.

Phat Pong tourist night market. Shawn using his bartering skills.

As the sun goes down, the streets come to life. Night markets have become popular  as the temperatures drop just enough not to completely soak yourself. Thai's love to eat and socialize with one another and the night markets provide the perfect opportunity to do just that. One things for sure, you'll never go hungry! With hundreds on street food stalls to choose from, you can get everything from traditional Pad Thai to fried bugs. Bon appetite!

The bug cart. 

Fried cockroaches, grasshoppers, crickets, grubs and much more. 

The cockroaches seem to be the most popular as Shawn and a few friends tried a variety pack one night and the roaches were sold out:(  

Klong Lat Mayom floating market has to easily be one of our favourite visits yet. Grazing our way through the local (non-tourist) market meant trying new foods and authentic Thai cooking.

Fish cakes topped with cilantro, greens & sauce (top)

Traditional Pad Thai made to order in a large wok (middle)

Hot sticky rice served in banana leaf (below)

Many people cooking and selling food on the canal in small wooden boats

With our bellies full from too many choices, the best way to digest was on the water.   An hour slow boat ride through Bangkok's tiny canals the perfect fix. All for a mere 20 Baht each (.70c)

Wooden slow boat tour winding through the canals of the market

Our friends from France (Julie & Maxime)

Our very proud driver

A slow tour in our wooden, tippy boat (left)

Riding through the Lotus (top right, bottom right)

Canal lined with food stalls (middle)

Food for the fish? Hundreds of fish swim off the docks being feed 

Now totally relaxed, what better way to take it a step further than ducking into the canal side stand for a traditional Thai massage. So that's exactly what we did. Julie and I opted for the 1/2 neck&shoulder massage for 80 Baht ($3) while Shawn and Maxime took another slow stroll through the market. To end my idea of a perfect day, I treated myself to a halved young coconut, filled with coconut ice cream and completed with tasted toppings such as pumpkin, date and more young coconut. Delicious!