Joanna James
Three of Thailand's most iconic attractions the Chao Phraya River, ancient wats and Ayutthaya are best savoured via a river cruise which takes place on a converted rice barge or luxury yacht.
This relaxing tour takes you along the winding Chao Phraya River starting from the bustling city centre of Bangkok to the serene backwaters. It is quite an experience to drift past wooden houses on stilts and beautiful scenery that seem to be fitted in amongst the daily hustle and bustle of river life. The scenery changes along the way where skyscrapers and modern environs of the city give way to a more laid back lifestyle as you enter the khlongs – or canals of Bangkok. Observe the wildlife in the form of birds and skulking lizards on the river banks, wave to the friendly locals and stop at the iconic temples along the way. You also get to visit an orchid farm where the intricate process of cultivating the royal blooms are explained' along the way you are given the opportunity to feed the sacred catfish that eagerly swim up to the boat.
Enjoy a step back in time as you cruise the backwaters of the Chao Phraya River. Your tour takes you along the ancient canals or khlongs of Bangkok where life seems to continue as in the past. There are no trumped up environs just simple folk going about their daily rituals. This fact is reflected in the sight of clothes hanging out to dry besides vintage wooden stilt houses, local Thai music drifting from the houses and birds lazily flitting about the place. The tour takes place during the morning hours providing a smooth and refreshing cruise before the afternoon heat.
Cruising the Chao Phraya is quite magical at night; the river winds past glowing banks lit up by a thousand lights from ancient temples and riverside restaurants. The enchanting journey is enhanced with a gourmet dinner and live music that adds to a million memories of your time in vibrant Bangkok. There are many variations of the dinner cruise to choose from as this is one of the most popular things to do around Bangkok. There are dinner buffet cruises as well as private charter cruises to take on in case you have a special romantic session planned. The dinner cruise on The Manohra offered by AVANI Riverside Bangkok Hotel is aimed at notching up the romance factor with a marvellous choice of cuisine and smooth sailing aboard a skilfully restored rice barge.
One of the more interactive forms of a river cruise is a tour of the popular floating market. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of wooden boats floating by, buying goods from passing vendors and stopping for some noodle soup cooked right within a longtail boat.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
