Crying in Kanchanaburi!

We did a day trip to Kanchanaburi to see the bridge on the river Kwai and the war museum. The war museum was fantastic, really interesting and had a lot of people in tears, especially older people. Standing on the bridge was just amazing knowing the history behind it. However it was in Kanchanaburi where we had our first hairy experience.....

bridge at sunset

As we strolled over the bridge we noticed about a mile down river there was a small wooden bridge. As sun was setting we decided to drive the scooter we hired down to the smaller bridge and capture the Bridge on the River Kwai with sun setting behind it. We hopped on the scooter and headed back down the road until we came to a turn off which we thought was about a mile down river. We decided that even if it wasn't the other bridge we'd still get a good photo from the river bank at this distance anyway so we took the turn. As we headed down the road it turned into a dirt track and at the bottom was what looked like a bar or restaurant as it had a large Johnny Walker whiskey sign hung on the side of the building. Although there were cars outside, the place was completely deserted. It was then when 3 huge dogs came running towards us from the side yard, growling and snarling and one was foaming from the mouth with red eyes which was a giveaway for rabies. Steve slowed the bike and our mouths went dry. As he slowly turned the bike around the 3 dogs encircled us, one stayed behind us, one came up alongside and the rabid one went in front of us blocking our exit. Steve told me to remain calm and slowly edged the bike towards the front dog. He'd experienced this situation many times on the motorbike with dogs running out on the road at home but never on a scooter with vicious, rabid dogs. As we got closer to the large dog, the other two, stripping their teeth, started increasing their pace and eventually started to jump at the bike and snap at our legs. At this stage, Steve wound on the gas, the scooter skidded on the dirt and the front wheel lifted as we sped down the road with the 3 dogs lunging at us. I screamed and kicked at them from the back of the bike and almost fell off in the process. Thankfully when we got to the junction to the main road, we had gained speed on the hungry suckers. There was no traffic coming so we went straight out onto the road and just kept going for about a mile. We then pulled over, shaken and white as ghosts knowing that if we'd come off the scooter, rabies would have been the least of our worries. If it wasn't for Steve keeping his cool we were dog meat - Evil Knievel on a moped!!

bridge on the river kwai

It's worth noting we've been told by the locals that rabid dogs are a problem in Thailand as they can't be put to sleep because of religious beliefs. So anybody going to Thailand please bear this in mind ;)

enjoying sunset at the bridge on the river kwai

the bridge, kanchanaburi

war cemetry, kanchanaburi