Days 4 5 and 6

So we were up early - Heather better rested than myself of course - I did not each much at breakfast just a boiled egg and toast with copious amounts of coffee - our driver was waiting for us as we entered the lobby - we climbed in the car and headed for Kanchanaburi - after about 10 mins I fell asleep (still suffering ) every now and again I would get a nudge what’s that ? What’s this ? Or stop snoring - we had arranged with the driver that we would stop about half way stretch the legs - bathroom - smoke etc - so I was woken again when we arrived at a garage - where we did all of the above and stocked up on nibbles - iced coffee tins to keep me awake and the cool towels (these are brilliant for anyone like me) - so off we went again and before I knew it were there - takes about 2 to 2 ½ hours by car the last trip the mini bus took 3 hrs going 3 ½ 4 coming back
First stop was the market in the centre of Kanchanaburi - which I did not get to see the first time there as we were ushered on train and out - so we strolled the market where you could buy all sorts of things - a wee tip t-shirts - shorts - blouses and knick knacks are cheaper here than in Bangkok - we had a bite to eat and posed for the obligatory “bridge” photos - next we went to the museum which as I said before is not up to much but is right next to the cemetery so worth 10 mins - Heather was bowled over with the silence and quite unnerving feeling you get as you walk into the place and the hairs on the back her neck stood up just as mine had first time (and this time) It really is worth going here esp for the Aussies as it they that keep the cemetery the way it is - and it’s a credit to them

Next off for lunch and then get the train over the bridge and down about five stops where we would meet our driver again for a drive to the hotel stopping at a few viewpoints on the way - The train ride has to be experienced to be believed - you think once you go over the iron bridge is that it then is that all there is - which unfortunately most tourists do - you need to go further down the track to experience going round the side of a cliff on a bamboo trestle of a bridge swaying from side to side and hanging off the train at the same time - the air conditioning on the train is great - you open the windows ! - when we arrived at our station our driver was there already on the way to the hotel we stopped at some small waterfall - local fruit and veg market - 7/11 to stock up on beer etc for the hotel (always do this and empty the hotel stuff out the fridge and fill with our own a lot cheaper) - to watch some monkeys and a nature reserve when they grow orchids and rear butterflies etc - here we bought a necklace and earring set made from orchids for Heather and one for her mum and one for mine

We arrived at the hotel about 5.30ish - booked in and were shown to our room - it was literally right on the banks of the River Kwai - with the balcony overhanging the water - we arranged for our included massages the following lunch time when we arrived back from our planned long tail boat ride up the river - we then ate in the hotel and retired to the balcony with our beers to watch the sun go down and relax - after about 5 mins we were being bitten like mad so we rang reception they were there in seconds with mossie coils - next day first on shopping list repellent - you live and learn - I never go without it now

Next day we were up quite early had a great breakfast and headed down to the pier where our driver / guide met us -- we never did find out where he slept at night but assumed that the hotels had rooms for divers and guides either very cheap or free as the same would happen when we went to eat we would go into a eatery and he would talk to them we would then order and eat he would eat separately and when we offered to pay for his he would say his was free for bringing us there so a good system if you ask me - the guide had the boat waiting and we whisked off up the river for a couple of hours where we had all sorts of wildlife pointed out to us that we would not have seen if it had not been pointed out - how they see some of it is beyond me - we saw a few ruins - some very nice houses a few temples a pleasant enough morning - when we arrived back we made the mistake of eating before the massage - which we would have enjoyed more the other way around - anyway the towel and boiling water/incense treatment for me you can keep it not for me way toooooooooooo hot a sticky and I can’t breath although Heather loved it - although the wash down after with cool water was great - then to the massage itself - this was not as painful as my first massage and the benefits were much the same - but what can you expect in Bangkok etc if you go in a cheapy massage place the girl has probably done a 3 day course and got off the bus from Surin that morning whereas in the more expensive places you get the better trained people

We were then picked up after lunch for more sightseeing the 7 waterfalls - where for the second time I only managed 4 as its just too much like hard work for me - you need to be fit and I am certainly not that we went elephant trekking also which was a good laugh and watched the show with the elephants playing football etc (I know guys I was on holiday I don’t do this now) I would go to working elephant camps now if I go - we ate in a little restaurant on the way back and strolled around the fantastic hotel gardens when we got back before more beer and bed


So last day in Kanchanaburi and as planned it was off to the Tiger Temple (Heather loves tigers) - this is not what you may think - it’s a place where the monks take in orphan tigers or ones that have been captured during illegal trade and then the perpetrators caught etc - whilst there is a temple to see on the site - when you go to visit the tigers its in a hole in the ground with a wallow in it and its bloody hot beware and go in the morning like we did - its an amazing experience you are led round by a monk who takes you camera off you he will lead you in from around the back of the tigers - he then goes to the dangerous end and takes your photo - whilst I was there a monk took pity on me - it must have been obvious I was suffering from the heat and he gave me an umbrella - later whilst walking back to the car I lost count of the number of people starring at me and only when we met our driver did he explain what an honour it was for this monk to give me his umbrella - so I donated 300 baht in the box and still have said umbrella - will let the photos say the rest for the Tiger Temple

We had lunch and headed for Bangkok we talked most of the way back about our little adventure to Kanchanaburi and swore to return - we just loved it - Heather also said “I could get used to this - it’s a great place - why would you want to be in the UK when you can be here” - that gave me all the encouragement I needed - a plan was beginning to hatch in the deep dark recesses of Phil’s brain - we nipped into cosmos bar in Pat Pong for a few beers that night - where I met a Thai midget who loved Man City and was teaching Heather how to count in Thai etc (he works the bar) - so I took down his mobile for next visit (yes there would be another one - and Heather never battered an eyelid when I said we would be back) - so back to the hotel and off to bed early start again as our taxi driver friend was taking us to Pattaya in the morning - night all

heather at the Kwai Cemetary

at the "bridge"

going over the river



on the real train

from hotel balcony





on hotel balcony

the boat trip

waterfall



eatery



elephant ride

THE TIGERS

Fantastic! Kanchanaburi is definately on the list now! Thank you for spending the time committing your experiences to words, they're an absolute thrill to read...

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Thailand in November 2010 - Can't Wait!