Bangkok: Floating Markets and Cobra Snake Show

On Sunday May 29th Kate, Sydne and I set off to see the Damnoen Saduak Floating Markets, about 1.5 hours outside of Bangkok. These markets were an incredible sight! We took a small motor boat to the main market area, and then hired a paddle boat to take us through the markets. There are tons of vendors in boats, and stands along the side of the river selling souvenirs, fresh exotic fruit, and even food cooked from floating kitchens in the small boats!

I hopped out of the boat quickly to meet a very terrifying (but friendly) snake!

Back in the boat we got into a little traffic jam!

We purchased fresh coconuts and the coconut juice was delicious! Actually all of the fresh fruit was amazing! I wish we had this variety of fruit in Canada!

Next to the floating markets, while walking in the streets we ran into an adorable elephant! We became instant friends:

I’ve never seen such an adorable little elephant in my whole life!! And he was just hanging out in the street! Incredible! I love Thailand!

After the Floating Markets, we went to see a Cobra Snake Show… which was absolutely terrifying!! These snake men are crazy! The show consisted of a number of different acts. One act had a man fighting with a cobra snake (which is one of the deadliest snakes in the world!), and another act where a man caught three different snakes – one in each hand, and the 3rd one in his mouth!

We were seated in the front row, and where we were seated there was no protection between the stage area and the seating area. It didn’t seam like a big issue… until the jumping snake came out!! It literally jumped about a meter from our seats and we all jumped up screaming and running for cover! Absolutely terrifying! We kept a safe distance from the stage area for the rest of the show!

Here is the man fighting with the Cobra snake. He was stuck in a deep concentration the entire time.. one wrong move and he could have been bitten… and die within the hour.

This guy was crazy enough to give the cobra a kiss!!

After his impressive fight with the Cobra, he held on to it very tightly and brought it into the audience… me and the cobra became friends:

I may have been smiling… but I was TERRIFIED!! I was comforted by his very strong grip of the cobra’s head. I had faith he wouldn’t let go!

I also learned a very interesting fact…. did you know that Cobra snakes have 2 penises? Fascinating!

All in all a very informative and fun day filled with new (and somewhat terrifying) experiences! I am absolutely loving Thailand so far! I can’t wait for my Contiki tour to actually begin!