Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam
Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam floating market had the added attractions of three large elephants and a baby elephant that you could feed bananas to and also have your photo taken.
Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam floating market seemed a lot larger and more established than the first market we visited.
Again, they had some nice gifts in the shops and it was quite a pleasant walk around the place.
Both of the Hua Hin floating markets have been established for the tourists visiting the Prachuap Khiri Khan region and are nothing like the traditional Thai floating market that you will find at Amphawa.
The traditional Thai floating market is located on a river or khlong with the boats coming by selling food and fruits.
This was how Thai people got their daily food in times gone by.
However there are many parts of Bangkok that still served in this way.
In the case of the Hua Hin floating market and Sam Phan Nam floating markets an artificial lake with boardwalks and timber houses has been constructed out in the countryside.
It is meant to be a reconstruction of a traditional Thai floating market for the sole purpose of entertaining tourists.
The majority of the tourists visiting these two markets appeared to be Thais.
As the sun went down it was time to go back to the hotel to have a rest.
As we left the floating market and were about to get into the car I could see the mahout taking the elephant back to its pen for the night.
In true storybook style the little baby elephant was following on behind its mother. It wasn't holding its mother's tail, but it might as well have been.
Unfortunately it was too far away to get a good photograph but I did get a few minutes of video to capture the moment.
It made such a good end to the day to see the two elephants walking back home with the sun setting in the background and the palm trees all around.
Back at the hotel we relaxed for a while.
In the evening we had a couple of Mango Daquiris' from the hotel bar and then walked up the road to the Chao Lay Seafood Restaurant.
This restaurant is very popular and they have a good set up, as the restaurant juts well out over the water on its own pier.
We ordered two crabs, a big spicy fish some chicken and rice and a beer.
Total cost was 950 Baht.
After dining we wandered down the back streets and played a couple of games of pool and then moved on to the Hua Hin Brewery to watch some live music.
There is an entrance fee if you are not staying at the Hilton Hotel.
Daily Expenditure
Fuel/Transport 0 Baht
Food and Drink 1600 Baht