Week 3 - Koh Phangan and River Kwai

We caught the train from Surat Thani to Bangkok and then a bus to Kanchanapuri. Left Koh Phangan at 11.30 am on Monday and arrived Kanchanapuri on Tuesday at 11am, so 24 hours travelling. The sleeper bunks on the train were the only 2 left and so we were not together, but in the same carriage. We thought we would have airconditioning but no, fresh air was it and fans to circulate it. But the upper bunks of course had no air flow so it was very hot. We both had a very disturbed sleep. Patricia woke dreaming that there was an earthquake and the building was shaking which was very understandable.The train we caught was the slow one. It kept stopping all night to let the express trains through. We have learnt that you cannot book a train at the last minute.

We arrived at Sam’s Rafthouse - a rafthouse on the River Kwai. We are right on the water with a balcony over the river. It’s lovely. When a boat goes by it feels just like we are on a boat.

Today Wednesday - Robert’s birthday - we went on a tour which included the Erawan Waterfalls which had seven levels and it was superb. It had those little fish that nibble you but some of them weren’t so little. We were so hot that we didn’t care. Patricia managed to slip on a rock and fall in the water shoes and all. Good way to cool down. The other highlights of the day were riding an elephant on land and the river, bamboo rafting down the River Kwai, the Krasae Cave with a golden buddha and the wooden viaduct built by WW2 prisoners. We then went on the Death Railway and saw the Bridge over the River Kwai. It was very sobering to be there imagining the suffering that happened there in the past.

Robert at the Bridge over the River Kwai

Taken from the Death Railway Train. Monks sitting in the jungle. We were told that Buddhists believe there are still souls who haven't passed over.

Us on the elephant

Erawan Waterfall

On Friday we leave Kanchanapuri on a mini bus back to Bangkok and then straight over the border to Siem Reap in Cambodia. We have an airconditioned bus booked for the trip. The bad bit is we are picked up at our hotel at 5.15am. Hmmm!!!!

We are staying at the Ta Som Guest House Seim Reap which is budget but comes with very good reviews and the staff are very friendly and helpful.