Longtail Boat Ride

Long-tail Boat

A great way to get around Bangkok is on a taxi or long-tail boat ride.  I had already done short stints on a taxi so this morning a few of us decided to hire a long-tail boat just for the experience and view.  I was surprised at the speed the boat picked up with a breeze keeping us cool in the sweltering heat.  Long-tail boats are long and narrow with a long motor sticking out the back.  Painted in bright colors, the sacred bow is adorned with flowers.

I was constantly started at the contrast in one glimpse.  Poverty, high rises and glided temples.

A woman selling trinkets from her boat approached us.

We stopped at a snake farm which turned out to be the saddest zoo I have ever seen.  Animals were kept in small, cement cages with only a bowl of food and water.  It was hot and humid with no comfort for the animals.  I did hold a python.  Snakes are not my favorite thing so it took a bit of gumption on my part.  I did fine until I suddenly imagined that it was choking me then I had to wrestle myself to safety!  They had a cobra show.  You couldn't pay me enough to take that job.  At the end of the show they milked the venom from the cobras.  I was surprised at how much liquid was in the cup from just one extraction.  

With over 400 temples in Bangkok alone we were continually passing them along the river.