Bangkok Lotus Farm

While we were at the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market our guide Nina asked if we would like to take a boat ride along the canals.  Of course we did.  We eyed the line of people waiting to fill one of the colourful flat bottomed canal boats.  But Nina had other plans for us.  Smart girl.

Instead of directing us to get into the line, she handed us some bread to feed the huge fish swimming around in the canal.  A boat arrived, filled up and headed off down the canal.  I still wasn't sure what we were waiting for.  After a few more minutes our very own chariot arrived.  A smaller flat bottom boat piloted by a little old lady in a straw hat.  She welcomed the three of us on board and took us on our very own special canal tour.

As soon as we got away from the bustling market, everything quieted down.  The only sounds were birds singing and bugs buzzing.  And the gentle, rhythmic dip and swoosh of the oar as she pushed us along. 



We were looking onto the backs of homes, well-loved gardens bursting with flowers.  Each with a spirit house holding offerings.  We didn't see any other passenger boats, just local residents going about their business. 

After a few turns this way and that the canal opened up to a large pond.  But this wasn't just any pond.  It was a private lotus farm, complete with a water wheel.  We were the only ones there.  We were taken on a big loop of the garden right through the bright flowers and massive lilypads. .

This aquatic flower with the bright pink blooms is very important to the Thai people.  It is a sacred symbol associated with Buddha. Legend says that when Buddha was born and took his first steps Lotus blooms appeared beneath his feet.  The lotus represents purity of spirit.  We saw the Lotus symbol in every temple that we visited later that day.  

Floating quietly and slowly through this shallow water among the elegant yet sturdy flowers pushing up through the mud certainly felt like a sacred experience.  Few things in life are truly awe inspiring.  That's what makes them, when they do happen, so special. 

Floating through a lotus garden in Thailand truly took my breath away and made such an  impression on me.  Another of those travel moments that I go on about all of the time. 

I fell hard and fast for Thailand just like I knew that I would.  We hadn't even been there 24 hours yet and already it was exceeding expectations. 

What was the best part about your first 24 hours in Thailand?

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