Children of Laos, Burma & Thailand

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Thailand and Laos (and Myanmar if I can manage it)

Hello, Sawatdee kaa and Sabai dee,

My next trip will be Thailand and Laos, and this is all about the before, the trip and the after - similar to my Malaysia/Cambodia blog. I am putting together from start to finish - tickets, do's and don'ts, tours, where to stay, places to see, things to do, as well as useful extras like transport, good places to eat, what to wear, climate, tourist traps, tricks and tips and whatever else I can think of that will be useful.

If you have any tips or advice, please, feel free to leave a comment and add your bit - whatever you think may be helpful or interesting.
Cheers.


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Playlist - My Travel Videos

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

58. Bridge over the River Kwai

TOUR AROUND KANCHANABURI TOWN
Today is my last day in Kanchanaburi and I was feeling very disappointed because I hadn't seen the bridge, museum or cemetery and I thought what a great pity that would be - I mean, how many people go to Kanchanaburi and don't see the famous (or rather infamous) Bridge over the River Kwai? Not many, I'll bet.
Plus, I really did want to see it and not just to tick it off on my itinerary.

I decided to ask if the driver I'd booked to take me to the money changers would be able to take me around the town and after a brief discussion with the lady at the travel agency, it was agreed I would pay 120 baht. I was happy with this, after all, it was going to cost me 50 baht just to change currency and be driven back to the guesthouse and I reckoned 120 baht was a pretty good deal. So - that was that problem settled.

Above: Bridge over the River Kwai
View of the Bridge from the Kanchanaburi side. The curved spans are 1943 originals, the two straight spans replaced ones damaged by US bombs in 1945.

The Bridge
Internationally famous, courtesy of Hollywood films and books, this black iron bridge was brought from Java by the Japanese and assembled by Allied prisoner-of-war labour as part of the Death Railway linking Thailand with Burma. Still in use today, the bridge was the target of frequent Allied bombing raids during World War II and was rebuilt after war ended. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections. The daily train is still following the historical route from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok Railway Station.

Above: Close-up of the bridge


Above: Monks
On the Bridge over the River Kwai seen from the Kanchanburi end. All trains call at River Kwai Bridge station, located about 200 metres before the bridge, a few minutes after leaving Kanchanaburi. The Bridge is now surrounded by cafes, restaurants, souvenir stalls etc. You can walk over the bridge, even though it's still used by three trains each way every day.


Above: Tourists
Tourists walking across the Bridge. River Kwai Bridge station is in the far background, just before the bridge.


Above: Inscription
This is inscribed on a wall near the east bank of the Bridge over the River Kwai.


Above: Views from the bridge

Thursday, May 5, 2011

57. Dinner, A Ticket And Feet

Well it was the end of the day, my last night in Kanchanaburi and I thought I'd have a "night on the town." First thing was to find somewhere to eat, so I walked around looking at the various eating houses, it was no to this one, or that one isn't quite what I'm looking for. Then I saw it - The Hut.

 
Above: The Hut
This was just the sort of place I was looking for - a pub atmosphere with a beer garden - read outdoor eating area, nice, but not posh. (Apart from the fact that I couldn't afford "posh"), I wanted somewhere where the food was cheap, the company relaxed and the place casual. Where you could sit and linger over a drink and take your time without feeling you had to hurry or buy another drink. Anyway, this place suited me to a tee.

I had (from memory) noodles and vegies with pork and a glass of juice followed by a cup of tea. I must say I did enjoy that tea. I'd chosen a table near the street and I could see people walking past. People watching is a great pastime - it costs nothing and is very entertaining.

 
Above: Travel Agent
I popped in here and inquired about a bus to Bangkok. On the lady's advice, I booked my ticket there and then for the 1.00pm bus. As I needed to exchange some currency, I also booked a tuk-tuk for the following morning. She said come about 9.00am and the cost would be 50 baht.

 
Above: Fish Spa
Walking along the street ogling the shops and businesses, I heard a cackle of giggles and looking to where it was coming from, spotted a couple having a fish spa. I had one in Kuala Lumpur the year before and loved it, so I decided to have one here. It was 99 baht for 30 minutes. The English girl kept on cackling like a ninny with, "Oooh, it tickles!" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I mean to say, it tickles a bit at first, but after a couple of minutes the ticklish sensation goes, yet this dolly never stopped.

I wouldn't recommend having a fish spa here - it was nowhere near as good as FootMaster Fish Spa (in KL)- they don't have separate tanks, nor do they offer you Chinese tea and neither do they finish the job with an exfoliation, which should be done. Still, it was a pleasant way to spend half an hour.

I wandered back to The Hut, ordered another tea and wiled away the time before going back to my accommodation - had to pack and clear up. It's amazing just how much mess one can make in a few short days.
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