Mangroves and New Years Eve

We left Bangkok at 7:30 this morning and drove 1.5 hours SW along the coastline to Samut Songkram, a mangrove conservation area.  We planted mangrove saplings in a shallow muddy area, kayaked through the mangrove, and ate lunch at an open ocean platform.  After that, we made our way to Amphawa, a fishing village with a floating market that comes alive on New Year's Eve.

This resort provides the mangrove access.  While we were getting things prepared, the students took advantage of a giant crab for group photos.

Headed out to the mangroves.

We stopped at a mud embankment to plant the mangrove saplings.  Some areas were firm, others not so much.  Mackenzie found a not so much spot.

Nat battling the soft substrate.

There wasn't enough challenge to walking on mud.  It's so much more fulfilling to wade through shin deep water on very soft mud to find an even better spot to plant.

All the mangroves are planted, and Nat is trying to make her way back to the embankment under duress.

Bryce working his way back...

AT and Morgan just gave up trying to walk and went down on all fours.

Clarke heading back toward the boat.

Dixie talked some of the other girls into letting her paint the back of their legs.

Mizzou / Thailand / Study Abroad / 2018-2019

The boat crew was not pleased with our level of cleanliness.

So they washed everyone off when they got back to the boat.

A queue formed for the cleaning station.

After planting mangroves, we paired up and got in kayaks to paddle through the mangroves.  Here are Lyndi and Grace.

AT and Hannah

Morgan and Jacob.

Bryce and Clarke.

Schmidty and 4-12.

After all this activity, we were hungry, so we took the boat out to an open ocean platform for a nice seafood lunch.

An egret took flight from a post as we approached.

Here's the lunch platform. 

Fried sea bass, phad Thai, cashew chicken, fried & breaded prawns, and tom yum shrimp.

In the evening is the Amphawa floating market.

Then canal has lots of boats with people cooking (mostly seafood).

Schmidty, Addi, AT, Hannah, Dixie.

The market on the street had lots of foods that we just don't see everyday.  Here are some stir fried whole baby crabs.

Holy mackeral.

Fried quail eggs.

Huge prawns and other seafood.

One of my favorites is prepared by this couple...

Phad Thai nachos!  Mmmmm.

Fried fish and prawns.

OMG... stick rice and mango!  :-)

Squid.

There's a stage show with what is reputed to be the best singing group in all of Thailand.  I hope that's not true.

Suk sahn wahn pi mai!  (Happy New Year!)