So I am back in Bangkok after a short trip out into the western countryside to visit Kanchanaburi! I will attach the photos to the right entry this time!
I had difficulty getting to Thonburi, the train station on the edge of the city that goes to Kanchanaburi as most cab drivers don't want to go out that far. Eventually I managed to get one, only to get there and realise that the next train wasn't for two hours! While I was waiting I got chatting to a German couple who turned up and also had to wait. They were Melanie and Oliver, and we ended up hanging out for the next couple of days. We got on the train and sat with an Aussie guy who now lives in Hong Kong called Peter.
The train takes about two and a half hours. I took some photos of the views so you will get an idea of what beautiful countryside it is.
We then stayed at the Apple Guest House, about 5 mins from the station. It is a really cool place, with little rows of bamboo cabins. It was much quieter and cleaner.
The next day I went on a tour, which took in the waterfalls at Erawan National Park (I have photos of all 7 tiers but need to work out which is which!), an Elephant trek and bamboo rafting, a trip on the Death Railway and a visit to the bridge over the River Kwai. It was a great day out! In the group were me, Melanie and Oliver, an english guy called John, another german couple called Bastien and Yohana and another couple who's names I never did find out!
I think the waterfalls was my favourite bit. The climb up to the 7th tier of the waterfall was pretty tough. At the 4th tier we all went for a swim in the pool beneath the waterfall, and as I got in little fish were nibbling my ankles! There were two great big rocks the water was coming down which acted like water slides, so we all slid down them and it was superb. The water was nice and cold too.
We then went on to the elephant trek. We sat two people on each elephant and guys steered them by sitting on their neck and tapping their ears to tell them left or right. They went up through some forest and then down and through a small section of river. It was ok but I found it a little exploitative.
The bamboo rafting was good, although we didn't do anything other than sit and float down the river. It was beautiful scenery and ever so peaceful, though I was a bit scared we'd sink or turn over!
The trip on Death Railway was good though a bit short. Unfortunately we were in the company of three huge tourist buses who proceeded to muscle their way on first and take all the best seats! But I still got a couple of good pics of the train and tracks.
The bridge over the River Kwai was good, I got some good pics and messed about with my camera a bit. I think the pictures will help explain it all a lot better than I can!
In the evening we went out for a meal as a group and had a good laugh, then hooked up with some Irish guys and girls to have a few drinks and play pool (which I seem to have done a lot so far!).
Today I took the bus back as it's cheaper and the train is so infrequent, but it ended up taking about 4 hours! It was an experience though so I didn't mind.
I'm now in Bangkok for a couple of nights, and I've got to plan what to do next! I will either go straight to Chaing Mai or maybe make a few stops along the way. Either way I will definately update you about it!
Hope everyone is ok, please tell me if my blog is rubbish!
Chris x
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