Bangkok, Thailand –
What was that?
There, just on top of the water.
It looks like a giant lizard head, or kind of like a crocodile head.
Wait, there it goes, up the stairs into someone’s back yard.
Definitely not moving like a crocodile.
Is that? Is it?
It’s a Water Monitor!
A very large Monitor Lizard.
Boy, I’m glad it’s not my back yard it just went into…
After a late lunch, we were rounding out our day with a cruise along the rivers and canals of Bangkok.
First down one river, then into a canal, past various temples and houses.
After pausing to feed fish from the boat, with the fish eating the bread right out of our guide’s hand, we turned down a canal and headed into a lock.
That was when we saw the first Water Monitor.
It was heading up some stairs that led into a back yard from the water.
It paused momentarily at the top of the stairs, and then slithered into the yard and out of sight. It was at least five or six feet long.
A couple of minutes later, we saw another, swimming in the canal.
They were impressive, yet disconcerting sights.
And while it might cause me to think twice about living on either a canal or the river, I suppose it’s no different than living in Florida and having the problem of alligators wandering into your yard.
Same problem, different lizards.
And I don’t know how much a threat to household pets the Water Monitors might be.
I just know that they’ve got a nasty bite.
And move fast.
And that they can climb trees.
OK, that’s one difference from Florida, no large carnivorous lizards hanging out in the trees overhead.
Hmm, I think I’ll pass on the waterfront property in southern Thailand…
The thing is, compared with our experiences trying to navigate the streets of Bangkok earlier in the day, taking a water taxi, or in our case, a water bus, seems to be one of the more efficient means of getting around the city.
And it definitely gives you a different perspective.
From the water, you get to see more of the inner life of the city’s residents.
You’re traveling through more of the residential neighborhoods than when taking the city streets between sights.
And with every residence , whether house boat or on land, there’s a spirit house as well.
It’s an interesting concept, providing a spirit house next to your own to keep them happy so you may experience better luck. And, it keeps them out of your own house.
Since the location of a spirit house is important (Brahmin priests are often consulted on where to place them).
Perhaps the spirits also use the waterways as a means of getting around the city.
Either that or the spirits view the waterfront as a more desirable corner of a property than one of the corners away from the river.
I guess, since there are plenty of people that are attracted to living on or next to the water, that there’d also be spirits that feel the same way.
And you wouldn’t want to piss them off by asking them to live in a less-than-desirable corner of your lot.
Otherwise, they may decide to move into the main house, with you and your family.
And thus begins the Thai version of the Poltergeist movie plots.
Nope, don’t want that to happen.
Best to put that spirit house in the most desirable corner of the lot, and keep it attractive with plenty of offerings.
After all, once you’ve got those spirits appeased, you want to keep them that way.
You don’t want them pulling your kids into the TV set…
I have to admit; I can see the attraction of living on the water.
You can walk out your back door, drop a line in the river, and catch your dinner from your back porch.
You can go fishing every day, and never leave the house.
You could save quite a bit on the grocery bill.
As long as you like fish.
Plant a small vegetable garden and you could be just about self-sufficient.
Yes, life on the water has its attractions.
Including the Water Monitors…
For more photos from our cruise down the rivers and canals of Bangkok, click here.
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