Fireflies in Amphawa

After my trip to Ayutthaya, I decided I wanted to try and take some more trips around Bangkok to the places worth seeing nearby. One of those was Amphawa. Amphawa is about 50 miles south east of Bangkok in Samut Songkhram province. It has its own floating market and is quite close to the Damnoen Saduak floating market that is so famous. Amphawa is also meant to be one of the best places to see fireflies in Thailand. And if that's not enough, to get there you can go on the train that goes through the Mae Klong market. So - why not go!?

Josie and I were very keen to take the train there which would consist of catching the BTS to Wongwian Yai, then walking to the Wongwian Yai station. The train cost us an extortionate 10B each (20p) and would take us to Maha Chai station.

Market outside Wongwian Yai station

Train times as we passed one of the smaller stations

When we arrived at Maha Chai we walked to the river where we caught the ferry. It cost 3B each (6p) and was packed with mopeds, bikes and people.

Waiting for the ferry

We then had a long wait for our next train as they only run 4 times a day. We wandered to a little food stall where we had a nice cold coke each. Then waited at the station, reading our books.

More train times - Ban Laem Station

Ticket office at Ban Laem

Banlaem, waiting for the train to Mae Klong

Bird cages along the station

That train (another 10B each) then took us to Mae Klong which is famous for being the town with the Railway Market. This means the train runs right through the middle of the market. It was unbelievable actually. There'll be pictures of it at the end of this blog, but even having been through on the train on the way there, I didn't actually believe it'd fit again! 

Our hotel was nice, and right on the river. We had some lunch and went to see the fireflies that evening. We hired a river taxi (boat) that took us to the floating market and then on to see the fireflies once it was dark. It was quiet and peaceful and the fireflies were like tiny fairylights glimmering in the trees. Couldn't really capture them on camera so have stolen someone else's photos from online! 

Drinks and dinner before the fireflies tour

View of the market from our river taxi

Floating market

These are a little bit disney-fied but it was similar!

They weren't quite as bright as this, but there were this
many. The light was a little softer.

The next day we borrowed bikes from the hotel and went on a ride to see some of the nearby temples. There were so many to see and they were really quiet. Except for the dogs that barked and chased us off the grounds if they didn't like the look of us! It was good to go and visit some temples that weren't really touristy. As beautiful as Wat Po and the Grand Palace are, they're so busy. We had these all to ourselves.

Thai memorials

Spirit house

We spent a little time by the pool relaxing and had a massage which was very indulgent. Dinner at the hotel was good and we even saw a few little fireflies as we were walking back to our room in the trees. Amazing!

The railway market was the beginning of our journey home again and this time we were able to see quite how unusual it was. The gangway of the market is tiny, even when there is no train there. It's literally the size of the tracks and then the market stalls all crowd around it and encroach on the lines.

The produce is mostly food and there were lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish products. Even some butchers trays of meat all laid out on benches or the floor. 

As the train's arrival got nearer, more tourists gathered at the station with their cameras at the ready. With only minutes until it was due, there was still no change in the market!

Ticket office

Awaiting the train and still selling food...

Then we hear the train's horn and all of the market stalls were pulled back in the space of 30 seconds. Some left their produce still almost touching the tracks. The train inches through slowly and the stall holders patiently waited until it had passed, then pushed everything back out again behind it!

View of the market from the train as we left

It was definitely worth the journey! Amphawa was a nice little getaway for a few day with some unique sights and a relaxing atmosphere. Now I've seen it, I don't think I'd go again, although it'd be a nice trip for visitors.