Day 3 - delicious

Although I don't know when was the last time I slept for 16 hours, I assume I needed it more back then than last night. So breakfast will be at 1 PM.

I have never eaten a more banana-like banana than this banana. It was so banana-like that if I had tasted it blind, I would have been sure that it was banana extract or some kind of chemical banana flavor. Very banana-like!

We want to go to the river and from there to a temple. On our way, we are approached by 2 locals, asking what we can do and where and when and for how much. We shouldn't take a private tourist boat, very expensive (5000 Baht - 150 Euros). We should also not take the Thai-Boat City Tour, still expensive (1500 Baht - 45 Euros). Instead, we should take the public boats for the locals (15 Baht - 45 Cents). So we did, we got on the boat.

Right after we boarded (or climbed?) we witnessed a family being separated due to the fast loading and unloading process by the crew. We knew then that things are going to be sporty with these guys. No one is taken into consideration. Late? Too bad!

Because the ships are quite long (I estimate about 25 meters) and the entrance (or ascent) is at the stern of the boat, but the captain sits at the front, the minute-by-minute docking process is coordinated by a crew member with a whistle (not a smoking pipe, even though the picture would have fit into the maritime scenario). The finest maneuvers are given with a Morse code-like character.

FunFact: Many of the signal tones were stolen by the guys from Star Trek

The crew treated the route plan less consistently, which meant that we could only wave to our desired stop from the other side of the shore. So our purposeful journey from A to B turned into a tourist boat tour within seconds - then we might as well just ride until the last stop as we also want to get something for our money (90 cents).

After about 15 minutes, we arrive at the main terminal, then we go into the streets and wander around a bit. So that we don't dehydrate, we ignore the first culinary commandment in Thailand, which is not to drink anything with ice cubes, and get ourselves an iced tea and an iced latte (both 15 Baht - 45 Cents for 0.5l). It is a bit cheaper on the west side than it is on ours. We take the opportunity to eat freshly prepared food from a street vendor for the first time since our arrival.

For 50 Baht - 1.50 Euros, we got a decent portion of fried rice with shrimps (at least 3 thumb-thick pieces). It was really delicious (8/10). It has to be said that after all the praise about Thai food from people who have been here, the expectations are quite high. Now that the first step is taken, we are confident and curious to eat our way through Thailand.

Shortly afterwards, we visit a modern shopping center. Very European, only the beer is a bit more expensive. The good German Weihenstephaner 0.5l is already available for 180 Baht - 5.40 Euros.

We wander around a bit more, sweating more and more, which prompts us to take the nearest boat to our accommodation. We book our tickets back with hands and feet and this time we are sure that we will arrive at the desired station.

Longer break in the hostel and then we are driven back to Khao San Road (so colorful, loud, diverse - this could become our evening ritual). Pad Thai with Egg (1.20 €) and Pad Thai with Chicken (1.50 €). Very delicious (7/10 - @Maxi yours can keep up, but it is also delicious). Of course, we eat with chopsticks and embarrass ourselves a bit in front of the Asians sitting opposite us. For dessert, Sticky Rice with Mango for 50 Baht - 1.50 € (9/10). Salty rice, sweet mango, and coconut sauce with chopped peanuts. Super delicious!

Now off to bed, otherwise we won't wake up until 2 PM tomorrow.