Amphawa - Baanrak Amphawa - a Blessing!

Amphawa – Baanrak Amphawa

Amphawa is the location – Baanrak Amphawa is our accommodation. It makes this place something special. A warm kindness welcomes us, a care, a willingness to help, attention, modesty, generosity like we've never experienced before. Bee, the owner, with her family and staff, all in a well-coordinated and respectful teamwork.

Thailand in a small town, a tranquil life, we stay for 8 days and experience change. Not a significant change. On weekends, the place is visited by tourists – everyone wants to experience the Floating Market. The majority are Thai tourists who enjoy spending a weekend holiday here. However, there is no Floating Market in Amphawa itself, no sales take place over the water. Still, it is a popular spot to linger, which remains relaxing and not overcrowded even on weekends.

Floating Markets exist in several locations. Once in Maekhlong, which is very touristy – from the goods on offer to the visitors. Most tourists come as day-trippers, visit this Floating Market and the Train Market, taking photos of themselves and the spectacle around them. We had the pleasure of being photographed during our train ride through the market 😅.

Well, we are lucky and can still visit a “real” Floating Market in Takha. There we watch the lively “local” buy and sell over the water. We enjoy a fresh, “handmade” coffee and thank Bee, who arranged a Tuk-tuk to take us there.

Just as she takes us to a coconut plantation through her brother. There, coconut sugar is produced using traditional craftsmanship. It's fascinating how much can be used from a coconut palm.

It continues 😃: Bee, her brother, and we go on a joint excursion to the historic palace complex of Phra Nakhon Khiri, under the then rule of the King of Siam, Rama IV. A revered place, a king who sought peace and withdrew to a mountain with a wonderful view. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed. A government seat with atmosphere, a temple, a pagoda. A place of worship with a room for spiritual retreat for the king – that would do some politicians good today.

We also enjoy a day of riding around on a moped. A drive to the sea, the Train Market, and the spontaneous train ride become a highlight!

Amphawa. A friendly, small town that caters to tourists on the weekends and is otherwise quite calm. On Mondays, after the relatively manageable commotion for us, the place sinks into a Sleeping Beauty slumber.

We walk along the river daily, and we notice here as well that houses sit empty, available for rent or sale. Covid-19 has left its marks everywhere, the scars are visible. We gratefully realize how well we personally and in our country have come through this time.

Now it’s off to Padang Besar by night train (*) – the border crossing to Malaysia. We are more cautious with our anticipation, not knowing how Malaysia has changed in the last years. The effects of Corona? A now more conservative, stricter politics? We will see and adapt our travel plans accordingly.

Now it’s time for goodbye. Goodbye Baanrak Amphawa! Being there for the closure is comforting. It allows us to experience Thailand anew and differently. A blessing.

(*) ...and who takes us to the station? The brother with Mama, who gifts me her straw hat with floral decoration as a farewell. We were happy to be more than 'just' guests 🥰