2017-11 Canals of Bangkok (Thailand)

My friend heard that Bangkok is like Venice. Canals and boats certainly play a large function in transportation, especially in the areas around the river that runs through Bangkok. There were so many boats that we rode in Thailand overall. In Bangkok, we rode in two types: a wooden longboat with a motor through a canal tour and the ferry boats to travel up and down or cross the river.

View along the canals of Bangkok

Every adventure was distinctly unique. Usually, it started with trying to get in the boat in the first place. On the wooden boat, we stepped, or sat down on the dock and slid into the boat. It was a tricky maneuvering. Plus, once the motor got going along the river, we were being splashed as the it bounced along the waves made by more powerful speedboats. Even our guide used his umbrella as a shield against the spraying water.

Ferry boat

On our first ferry ride as an Intrepid group, we had to skip our first entrance to the dock, which was flooded, and walk down to the second entrance. We weren't the only tourists there. First, though, we all had to wait for those who were getting off the ferry. Then, it was our rush to all get on the ferry. "Go, go, go!" Our guide made sure that all twelve of us made it. Since it was morning, most of us were evfen able to get a seat as we rode our multiple stops to Arun Wat.

Flooded dock is still in service. Ferry riders walk on the planks balanced on the sandbags

At Arun Wat, we switched to a different ferry. While we were waiting on the dock, it rolled up and down with the waves coming in. Finally, we were on the ferry, making the short trip across the river, where we were shooed to quickly get off the boat. This dock was so flooded that there was a couple wooden planks laid out for us to walk across. The shops at the end of the dock were flooded with a couple of feet of water.

Shops flooded in the morning

And dry in the afternoon

In the afternoon, when we braved the ferry to get home (it is still better/faster than bus 53!), the shops previously flooded were now dry and open and for business. The walkway to the dock had also dried out. Now, it was just a matter of somehow cramming in with the masses without accidentally touching a monk. Monks have reserved standing area at the back of the boat. Plus, women should not touch or even talk to monks.

Looking back at Arun Wat and the dock from the ferry

"Inside, inside!" directed the lady collecting tickets. Then, at our stop, we were squeezing through the people lining the hall and stairs up to the exit. "Out, out, out!" yelled the guy on the boat with the whistle. He'd sound the whistle as we approached a dock and would then tie us to the dock with one rope while we all disembarked and boarded the ferry. A must experience for Bangkok!

Quick notes:
- tickets are generally purchased from a ticket seller before getting on the boat. You'll need to have this ticket handy in case there is another ticket seller on the boat.
- fares range. We paid between 4.5 - 15 baht for each ride