Tuk-Tuk/Duck Duck/Yuck Yuck/Stuck Stuck

Tuk-Tuk

Back at the hotel we had some time to rest before our pick up at 6:00 pm. We walk across the hotel grounds to our own tuk-tuk ( a three-wheeled motorized vehicle also called an auto-rickshaw). Yordie and I share one, Sandy and Lorelei in another while Chris and Tim are in the third one.

Climbing up into the decorative vehicle with flashing lights of green, red and yellow. We take off into the night and hang on as the tuk-tuk driver navigates the rush hour traffic. At times, we are heading full speed down the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic and ducking back into the correct lane. It is a rush and great way to stay cool on a hot evening. We weave through narrow streets hanging on to the metal loops laughing and hooting. We catch up to the others and our voices attempt to compete with the loud motors – the evening is a blast and we haven’t tried the food yet.

Street Market Food Tour

Mot, our guide from Bangkok Food Tours directs us to the first stop where we climb to a private room and eat an interesting appetizer similar to a lettuce wrap. Fried tofu, a sauce of onion chili and lime, pieces of ginger, lemongrass and cashews. We wrap it all in a betel leaf and eat it in one bite. We had a butterfly pea flower iced tea drink to wash it down. The next course was a curry which Mot phoned ahead for. I had the chicken drumstick curry, while the others had beef. It was delicious!

Back into the tuk-tuk we head to the next restaurant where we are seated and enjoy:

1. Papaya salad
2. Khao Soi (a coconut curry noodle soup topped with crispy noodles) OMG!
3. Pork dish and sticky rice
4. Chicken laab (Spicy, salty and hot, Laab is a north-eastern speciality. This traditional spicy salad is usually made with minced meat, vegetables such as mint leaves, mushrooms, shallots, chillies, coriander and lime juice, as well as fish sauce.)
5. Dried catfish
6. Chicken soup

Duck Duck

The tuk-tuk takes us to an alleyway and as we walk past street vendors. I can smell the charcoal that fuel the fires underneath the woks that are mixing up tasty delights. People line both sides of the alley sitting on short tables and plastic stools. We order a dish called “guay teaw aob gai” which is meat with flat noodles and a runny egg – My favourite of the evening! I had the duck. Actually, if there was an option for duck throughout the night, that was my choice.

Others had the same dish but with vermicelli noodles, scrambled eggs and beef. Mot (from Bangkok Food Tours) was an excellent guide. She was so knowledgeable, passionate and fun. At one point she actually fed us our food.

The heat of the fires mix with the heat of the night, the heat of the chilis and sriracha sauce. This is an authentic experience and one not to be missed.

At this point, we are feeling full. I begged Mot not to feed me any more meat. We walk to the main street and try some traditional desserts. Mango sticky rice is lovely, and the crispy pancake filled will merengue was delicious. Who am I kidding? Everything was yummy!

I can’t eat another bite! I am happy to be walking and heading to the flower market. This is a beautiful part of the city. The fragrance of fresh flowers tickle my nostrils, and the colours when I squint my eyes look like I am in a Monet painting. Marigolds are prolific and the beautiful orange and yellow blossoms are used in many decorations, including garlands for temples, shrines, and special occasions. They are also used to commemorate King Rama IX and are planted in his memory.

Mot stops us and gives us each a lotus flower and teaches us how to fold the petals to make a beautiful arrangement. We take our flower with us.

Stuck Stuck

Our last stop is a roof top bar for a cocktail or beer. It’s five flights up an exterior winding staircase. No elevator! It was a terrific way to work off all the incredible food we ate. Accessibility is not a major consideration in this country.

We go up the metal stairs only to be rewarded with a spectacular view of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) immediately across the river. It is lit up in brilliant gold. Spectacular!

We get our drinks, make a toast and suddenly the sky opens up with torrential rain, thunder and lightening. We debate whether to descend or wait. Initially, we waited for 20 minutes but there is no sign of it letting up. Mot was able to convince the owner to let us go down the interior staircase which was slippery and steep, but at least we were dry until we hit the bottom. Mot provided us with rain ponchos and then it was up to us to get from the curb to the tuk-tuk. 2 of the 3 tuk-tuks had plastic sides to provide some protection from the rain, but Tim and Chris’ didn’t.

I stood on the curb and saw that the water was at curb height. I had no other choice but to jump in and run for the tuk-tuk. My feet and pant bottoms were soaked and I accepted that my new suede sandals would be ruined. I think back to my cousin Rosemary’s comment about not wearing open-toed shoes in Bangkok and smile warmly. I didn’t listen to her. LOL

Into the tuk-tuk we climb and our driver manoeuvers along the streets trying to find the high side to avoid going too deep into the water. Obviously, the residents are familiar with this type of weather. We just spit out the rain that is pinging off our faces, and pray we don’t get splashed from another vehicle.

Stuck Stuck

We pass the Iconsiam Shopping Mall and turn right on a side street only to hear our tuk-tuk sputter and eventually die. The engine is flooded. Tim and Chris are far ahead of us, and Sandy and Lorelei are behind us. The driver gets out and looks at the motor and spends the next 30 minutes drying the spark plugs. Vehicles are hurrying by us to the left and splashing the driver every time the water rises. Sandy and Lorelei’s tuk-tuk driver stays back to assist. It was a team effort and we appreciate Sandy and Lorelei waiting for us. Yordie and I just sit back and giggle. What else could you do?

This is not something we would ever experience back in Canada and it was such a fun moment. The drivers eventually get the tuk-tuk started and the engine coughs, sputters and spews gas fumes as we make our way slowly back to the hotel.

Tim is waiting for us in the lobby and asks us how we are. We high-five him for a fantastic evening. We will sleep well tonight.

Bangkok Food Tours a definite recommend. If possible, ask for Mot as your guide. Thanks Mot, you made the evening special.