New Normal 3D2N Family Road Trip to Amphawa

Just when I thought I wouldn't do a 3D2N family itinerary post about our first post-Covid 'new normal' road trip to Amphawa, my wife came up with a comprehensive video of our experience on TheKawayiis channel, so, voila~! Enjoy and do leave comments in the thread if you have any queries or suggestions and I am sure we will reply you promptly there.

Personally, I will drop some tips and tricks here, and hopefully they will help you make your trip a better one, should you decide to embark on one yourself.

1. Walk the market on Sunday, unless Monday is also a holiday

Amphawa Floating Market is a b*tch on Saturday. There are so many people, even if everyone is wearing a mask, it's impossible to get any semblance of distancing. Also, you get the rowdy feel but lose the spirit of a leisurely shopping trip.

So, walk Amphawa Floating Market on Sunday if you can afford the time. By mid-afternoon, Bangkokians will be hurrying back to start work on Monday, freeing up the market for you. Just note that shops start closing early on Sunday for the same reason, so don't leave it too late.

2. Be ON TIME for the Mae Klong Railway Market

This world-famous train market had been touted as purely a tourist activity. After visiting, I kinda disagree. True, when borders were open, it's filled to the brim with tourists everyday, but in truth, Mae Klong Railway Market is very local. Visiting in the morning allows you to see a full view of a bustling local wet market patronized by residents living in the vicinity, and you get to enjoy the unique feeling of shopping right in the centre of paved railway tracks.

Now, to my point. Check the latest train schedule and don't be late. Trains are PUNCTUAL. If you only want to see the train passing over market produce, and arrive on the dot, you could be out of there within 10 minutes.

3. Salt Pans

The provinces of Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram are famous for their high-quality salt, so take a stop to enjoy the salt pans, and maybe buy some Fleur de Sel back. They are even exported to Europe, but please don't ask me how to choose the right one, just taste and follow your tongue I guess.

4. Mackerel, Coconut, Pomelo, Nostalgic Drinks

What to eat? I have given you the key words. Amphawa and its surroundings is paradise for lovers of the mentioned. Restaurants cook mackerel in so many ways they can keep you interested for days, and coconuts are so sweet you will lose interest in coconuts back home. Desserts and drinks made from coconut/palm sugar are also the bomb.

So here you go, I hope a combination of my notes and the video would give you a better idea of how you should plan your next trip to Amphawa.

Till next time.

PS. And 1 last tip: FIREFLIES!