After five heavenly days on Ko Samet, we’re back on the mainland en route to Cambodia. Our last stop (for now) in Thailand is an overnight in the pretty riverside city of Chanthaburi.
Gems are the business of this town. Apparently people from all over Asia come to buy and sell gems here. It’s not a touristy thing at all. In fact you hardly see any tourists here. But everyone everywhere seems to be involved with gems. People rent tables to show their wares. Practically every storefront seems to have some gem angle. When you walk past the humblest house you might just see someone looking intently through a magnifying glass.
And when you are not dealing with gems you can take a break in one of the lovely little cafés that line the riverfront and enjoy great Thai cuisine and hospitality. In fact our dinner last night was the absolute best we’ve had in Thailand. Intense flavors. Crazy spicy. And dirt cheap.
A French style cathedral looks over the riverfront
Everyone is dealing with gems here
Colorful temples dot the landscape in between gem stalls
Settling in for a perfect evening along the riverfront
The food we devoured at that cafe
Another place to pray for good gem sales