Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Don Wai Market: Saturday, 10 November 2012


10,053 kilometers start.

Removed motorcycle cover and, at 10:07 a.m., departed on a lovely Saturday morning happy in the hope that the rains have finished for the year (this subsequently proved very wrong).

Earlier, while having breakfast, I had programmed the Garmin GPS to take me to Don Wai Market in Nakhon Pathom Province (Bang Krathuek, Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom 73210, Thailand). The route was north-west out of Bangkok and the GPS suggested just over 30 kilometers and a 45 minute ride. The Garmin is configured for motorcycle / shortest distance and, since I have taken this route on other occasions, I wasn't sure if the GPS calculated route would be the same as the way I know. Consequently, I ignored the GPS (which consistently had to re-calculate) and followed the route familiar to me which is via Ratchapruk Road,  Boromarajajonani Road and Phutthamonthon. The traffic was quite heavy and the route taken was longer than that calculated by the GPS.
Don Wai Market Location
I arrived at Don Wai market at 11:10 a.m., parked under cover, locked helmet to the motorcycle, and left to explore the market.

The market was much bigger than expected and full of goodies to eat. Most of which were quite unknown to me, and I believe a Thai gourmet (farmer or other) would be needed to interpret all the sweets, fruits, vegetables and other delights. Lunch was fried fish sat next to the river feeding the fish. 

Anyone for Chili
I decided to follow the GPS for the return to Bangkok. This took me via Thanon Phet Kasem Road and heavy traffic due to the construction of the new BTS. In addition it started to rain quite heavily so I stopped for gasoline and shelter. While waiting for the rain to stop, I wandered to the next building which housed a Mazda car dealership. The saleslady kindly offered me a free ticket to the up and coming motor car show so I may well take advantage of her generosity. 

Mileage on return: 10,130 kilometers