Final day in Kanchanaburi

Thursday 9th February

Last night we went to the night market. It's a wonderful market, quite big for a small town, you'd get lost wondering down the pathways between the beautiful stalls. The clothes are UNREAL! I could do serious damage here but am being very good! I've even seen dresses with specific prints on them, one of which I saw in Shoe for you in Waterford, it's got a mushroom print. Was so tempted to buy it before coming but at €50 I thought it was ridiculous. Very grateful I didn't, saw it on a stall here for 220 baht, which is just over €5!!!! I really loved this stall. She had the most beautiful illustrations on her garments which I didn't see anywhere else. I had to get a dress of course!!!

Today's our last day in Kanchanaburi. We had nothing planned, just to wander around. First we put our first batch of dirty clothes into the laundry hut down the road.....much needed! We just walked around the town then for the day. Visited a cemetery, by far the nicest I've ever seen...

We also visited the war museum in the village centre. Not the biggest fan of the old guns so I spent most of my time staring in awe at the ornate paint work on the ceiling and walls....hugely inspiring. Reminded me very much of a good friend of mines illustrations, Hannah Davies http://www.hannah-designs.com/

This lady's dress making stall reminded me on my buddies from college and the hours we spent over the sewing machine! Emsie, Sammy and Bee.... could you imagine doing it in this heat!!!

There's an abundance of fish in the river by our hut. Luke's never managed to catch a fish at home so it was top of his list of his priorities when he saw the little guys here!!! We have spent all week looking for a fishing rod. Tao (our guide from Erawan falls) asked around and sussed out a fishing tackle shop so he finally got his supplies! We sat by the river for two hours this afternoon...not a thing. Came back this evening after dinner and as I sit here sipping a cold Singha, Lukey has finally caught his first fish! He is elated!!!!

I can't describe the sounds here by the swamp. Ever kind of bird and cricket all singing together, it's something else. I better go, have to decide where we're going tomorrow. Thinking of getting the train to Chumphon for a couple of days then a boat over to Ko Tao. It's a 14hr train journey so leaving at 7am.

Kanchanaburi you have been good to us, if you ever get the chance come visit this beautiful town!

Kanchanburi - Erawan falls trip

Monday 6th February

Today we had a tour planned. Alarm didn't go off (typical!) so we were awoken at 8.20 am by our tour guide banging on our door! Panic! Nothing ready but got ourselves together in ten minutes and ran up to our mini bus....praying it wouldn't be full of evil looks, thankfully there were only three other on it and they were cool about the whole thing.

So off we set. The other three in the group were Aaron from New York, Julia from Germany and Hourhay (probably spent completely wrong) from Spain. The days plan was to go to Erawan national park, Elephant treck and bamboo raft of the River Kwai, Krasae Cave via the Death Railway and crossing the bridge over river Kwai by train.

We got to Erawan park first, it was about 9.30am. Absolutely stunning place. We got off the mini bus and started our trek. I walked ahead and got chatting to Tao (our tour guide who woke us up that morning!) Lovely girl from Kanchanaburi, 22 studying business tourism. She works a couple of days with the tour to fund her studies. She was wearing skinny jeans and a denim jacket. It was first thing in the morning and i was already sweltering, I don't know how they do it!!!!!

The main attraction in the national park is Erawan falls. It's an seven tier waterfall that you trek through the forest to get to. Tao came to the foerst three tiers with us, most tourists usually stop here, but we continued on and arranged to meet her back at the bus. You can swim in each of the natural pools at each tier. We ere all roasting and wanted to jump in straight away but decided it would be more satisfying to get to the top then jump in! The trek took about 2hours, 38degrees!!! Thankfully most of it was in the shade due to all the trees overlapping the path..and when i say path, there was none, more so you will cross a sign ever now again with an arrow pointing in a direction and you find your way through the vegetation until you reach another sign!!


the ponds are full of fish...they enjoy the taste of western skin!!


Each tier was beautiful. The vegetation is stunning. Long vines dangling down from the highest of high trees, knotting in all different shapes and loops. Monkeys swing from tree to tree above our heads and we listened to the strangest sounds from all the crickets singing together in unison. Butterfly and dragon flys fluttering in front of our eyes.

The vegetation got really thick after the 5th tier and the hike from there to the 7th tier was quite difficult, but not so much so that you needed to be an accomplished explorer to do so, although Lukey did enjoy using his bear grylls knowledge whenever possible!!!!!

The 7th tier was epic...probably more so that we could finally get some relief from the heat!!! Had a quick dip there, the water wasn't so deep so we headed back down to the 3rd tier for a proper swim. . The waterfall here was incredible. We climbed up under it and stood uder the water. The strength of the water pounded down upon us, I stretched my hands high into the air and thought- BLOODY HELL IS THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We met Tao back at the entrance to the park and had some lunch. I have no idea what it was, what I do know is all the Thai food here is beautiful!!!



kids playing soccer by the River Kwai

 Next we went to The elephant trek and river rafting on the Kwai River. We didn't enjoy the elephant trek at all. Firstly the landscape where it was wasn't nice at all. There was no vegetation, just landed scorched by the heat. I hardly imagine it is the ideal spot for such an animal. We got on and walked around a dusty path, the guide shouting at the elephantt from time to time. He had a stick with a big hook on the end of it and there were a couple of bloody marks on the elephant's head which we guessed was from the previous trip where he obviously hit him a few times. We got back and I was grateful to get off. Would not recommend doing such a trip and would not do it again.

We went on to do the bamboo rafting then. Again, we expected hands on rafting, you know, everyone paddling down an adventurous path on the river, but it was basically a big engine powered bamboo raft where we could just sit back and take in the views. I thought I was actually going to fry!!!!



bamboo raft

 Next we went to the Krasae cave via death railway. This cave housed prisoners of war during WW2. The cave itself didn't seem to special but the momentous structure of the railway outside was spectacular. The railway was constucted during the war to link Thailand and Burma. I won't get into the history but it really is unbelievable to think of the hardship that must have existed when they were cutting through rock building this structure.



bridge over river Kwai

 We boarded the train crossing the bridge over river Kwai and headed back towards Kanchanaburi.


lady sitting across from us on train to Kanchanaburi



Two more points of interest!....

I told Luke when we got to Thailand that I bet Tesco are over here.......



...and I was right!!!

and...there are little lizards everywhere!!!!



Booming Bangkok

Thursday 2nd Feb

street off chinatown

Got up early this morning. Had to get our new foreign phones, plug adaptors and other malarky we didn't bring so said we'd go to MBK center. Got a taxi from Chinatown...it was the most terrifying journey of my life! Driver was a lunatic!! Speeding down the freeway at 130km, literally driving bumper to bumper then ducking out from behind cars in front of other when changing lanes...and the worst part WE HAD NO SEAT BELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had to close my eyes for most of the journey.

So we eventually got there after half an hour of pure terror! Went into the mall. Lots of little stalls selling all kinds of everything. Wasn't as amazing as we had been told, so left, then saw he had brought us to a place called JJ Mall, not MBK! There was a huge thunder storm so we sat at the side of the road watching it, then got another taxi



rain!!!!!!!

 . This guy was far more relaxed and we were at MBK in about 15mins. Now this was the real deal!!!! I've never seen anything like it! 8 floors of every kind of shop stretching as far as the eye can see. First three floors were overwhelming clothing madness!!! We were going to leave then said we'd check the next floor. Lucky we did, this was the electronic Aladdin's cave!!!!! Cameras, laptops, phones, mp3s EVERYTHING!!!! And so cheap. We were looking at Dr Dre headphones in the airport duty free before coming over. Amazing sound but ridiculously priced at €360! We got a pair in MBK for 1500baht, €35!! And lots more bargains of the same!!

We got some food then after our shopping bonanza and went across the road to Thailand arts and cultural center. Fabulous building and nice photography exhibition inside featuring work from people all over the world. Couldn't take photos in there unfortunately. After that, we went back to Chinatown and got some street food for dinner, very lovely!

Friday 3rd Feb

We slept in til 12 this morning...jet lag getting the better of us! We were woken then by a call from reception asking us why we hadn't checked out? We were booked to stay friday night too but they had mixed it up on their system. Had to move rooms as a result, didn't mind cause we got to see another one of the suites at this unbelievable hotel, if anyones going to Bangkok I'd seriously recommend this place.

chaturk park

Anyway, didn't get out of the hotel til around 2. We knew we wouldn't get much out of the day before dark so said we'd just go to the park for a walk...which is at the other side of Bangkok! Chaturk park is the name of the place and we took the underground metro and sky train to get there. Was actually very easy to navigate our way around. Got there after about half an hour, had a lovely walk and then came back.
...this is where the story gets messy!!! I had drunk a ridiculous amount of water that day, was dyin for a whizz before leaving Chaturk but there was no loo so I said I'd be grand. Not the case my friends!!! About half way through the journey back and I thought my bladder was actually going to explode!! I waddled off the metro, went upstairs to find the loo. There is none!!! Agghhhhh the panic!!!! Out we went onto the street,it literally looked like the Bronx. All run down shacks, the odd shop but nothing commercial. Crap!! Luke asked one old lady in the shop if she had a toilet, she just looked at him in pure terror like she had just seen an alien! Waddled back up to the station, getting desperate, go down the side alley. There's an old man doing yoga stretches at the end. Go away man!!!!!!! No option but for Luke to stand between the two of us and I squat down for the most embarrassing, but relieving wee of all time!!! Win!

Luke having dinner at the side of the road in chinatown

We hopped back on the metro to Chinatown. Got some really hot Thai food off a street vendor, thought my mouth would never be the same again! Went to the hotel bar for a few beers.

One thing I can't get over is how the streets are so clean. I walk around all day in my sandals and come back in the evening and my feet are perfectly clean. Walk around London for an hour in sandals and you're guaranteed to have to scrub your feet when you get home.

Another thing I learned today, the only person cars stop for is a monk!!!! Need to go get me some orange robes!!!!
Saturday 4th Feb

Today we left for Kanchanaburi. For the first time we woke up early enough for the hotel breakfast...we had bloody well been missing out!!! Full fry, toast, cereal, fruit and Thai snacks. Filled ourselves up nicely and set off for Thonburi station.

 Station was so basic, Sat around for two hours chatting to people and taking in the place. We met a really nice guy called Jim. He is from Tazmania and is almost 70! Spent all his life travelling so he shared some great stories.

 Eventually the train arrives and we all jump on. it's a 2.5hr journey and the sights we saw were amazing, as were the scents...the windows are all pulled up so the breeze is phenomenal but lovely.

There's little shanty huts scattered all the way along the track. So cool seeing into these peoples homes, watching the kids play together and seeing the people at work in the paddy fields.

We had a few beers with Jim and his friend, listened to more stories and just took everything in!

Was a relief to get to Kanchanaburi, the heat was crazy!! Got a taxi bike to our next place of rest. He dropped us off and we were terrified. It was at the top of an alley and he just told us we had to go down to the end of it. It was dark at this stage too so seemed a million times scarier!! Off we went anyway, hoping for the best! Got down and the place was fine! It opens out onto this big swampy reserve and the lodges are all built of stilts over the swamp. It was so unexpected!!!

sam's house kanchanaburi

 We freshened up..much needed, then headed out for some food. Can't get over the Thai food. Had another amazing dinner, no dodgy belly and went for drinks then.



The lovely couple Blandine and Erwan who we had lots of fun with!



We stumbled upon a reggae bar so decided to stay put there. Music was brilliant! Six Asian dudes looking like Jamacians singing and playing brilliantly!!! Met a lovely french couple, any language barrier that existed was soon irrelievnt as the buckets of rum flowed! I had a great time dancing with Blandine when Erwan and  Luke got up on stage to jam with the band!

 Was so much fun. We stayed there with the our french amigos and the band, sitting around a table drinking, laughing and sharing stories until they shut the bar for the night, about 4am.....a wonderful first night in Kanachanaburi, I think we will like this place a lot.

Today we took a total chill out day. Have been sitting by the river reading, writing and listening to music in the sunshine. A perfect day!