Photo Trip: Mid-Thailand With Visitors

[HHTel]

Great pics, BB. Fortunately all my visitors have done all that over the years so I never have to be bothered again.

[Big Boy]

Yes, I've done it all before, but it's nice to do the tourist thing occasionally, and even better to enjoy evenings with friends who we haven't seen for a while.

[Big Boy]

The Remaining Ayutthaya Ruins

Wat Maha That – obviously famous for the Buddha’s head growing within the tree roots. When photographing, or taking selfies, a guard is employed to ensure the subject’s head is below that of the Buddha image.

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Wat Racha Burana – this was the first ruin I ever visited several years ago. I still remember the disappointment of climbing the many steps in the tower, only to find, when I got there, there was nothing to actually see.

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Wat Phrasisanapeth I – the most expensive of the temples to view at 150 Baht for Farangs (still 10 Baht for Thais). I guess the extra money is because it is in the grounds of the former palace.

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Wat Chum Saeng – this one was free to view, although as soon as you arrive, touts are trying to make you believe you have to buy floral tributes to the Buddha image. Probably some of the most persistent touts I’ve ever encountered. An interesting feature of this one is the many red bricks you see everywhere – they are date stamped 2535(ish). Much of what you see is from the major restoration less than 30 years ago. However, it all looks authentic until you look closely.

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When our party had seen enough ruins, and there are enough ruins in the Ayutthaya area to keep you busy for at least a week, it was time to move on again, this time to Kanchanaburi.

To be continued........................./

[Big Boy]

Before we go to Kanchanaburi (later this morning), I mentioned I'd returned to Ayutthaya last week to watch the footie. Whilst taking my daughter around, the tuk tuk driver suggested a stop at Wat Phanan Choeng. This was totally new to me, so we agreed. It was 20 Baht entrance for Farangs, and Thais were free.

The temple was essentially a very old Chinese Temple, but the tuk tuk went straight past that part (it did look interesting in its own right, but we were time constrained and had a football match to get to), and went straight to traditional Thai Temple. Inside was a HUGE Buddha image - one of the biggest I've seen, and he was housed inside his own building.

Outside the building was spotless

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Outside the building was spotless

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The staircase to the top of the image/heaven

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A very impressive image. I've mentioned it because it was totally new to me, and might give others a break from looking at crumbling bricks.

[Big Boy]

Kanchanaburi

It was so nice to be in a decent hotel at last.

Quite by accident, we had chosen the week containing ANZAC Day, and as such, anything to do with WWII (our purpose for being in Kanchanaburi) was very busy. We decided early on to avoid the crowds as best we could.

Day 1 – Death Railway The critical path this day was for our visitors to catch the 13:30 (ish) train from Tham Krasae to River Kwai Bridge, and a ride along the Death Railway. Not the most comfortable of rides in +40C temperatures, but when you’re visiting, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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We set off early, and headed for Hell Fire Pass (a vastly improved road since my last visit). This was my 5th visit to Hell Fire Pass, so when the security guard asked for 50 Baht each admission, I knew to tell him to think again (actually, I was probably a bit stronger in what I said), He eventually agreed to take Mrs BB’s ID Card as security, and we were let in.

The internal roads had changed also. I found myself parking in the wrong car park, and walking.

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Another new feature (not sure if it was just around ANZAC Day), but there were golf buggies taking people down to Hell Fire Pass and back up again – free of charge. We did the museum bit (vastly changed from previous visits), and then chose the 155 steps each way, but the golf buggy might have been a consideration if we’d known about it earlier, and might open the attraction to Mrs BB if we go again.

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I always find the tributes to the fallen here very touching.

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We didn’t go much further than the Hell Fire Pass Memorial this time because of the time constraints, but have done the full walk several times, and it really brings home the extent of the task those poor chaps had to endure.

A large grandstand was being erected for the following morning’s dawn service.

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Hell Fire Pass done, it was now a quick drive to Tham Krasae Railway station. We did the usual walk out onto the olde viaduct, and into the cave,

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but to be honest, the heat was a killer, and it was nice to retire to some shade whilst waiting for the train, which was actually running early.

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We put our visitors on the train, and I drove to River Kwai Bridge Station to meet them.

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There was more railway madness as the train came across the bridge. Stupid tourists stood on the tracks to get their perfect selfies etc. The train driver was very patient – just as well he’d been running early. If it had been the Mae Klong Market train driver, there would have been casualties.

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Tomorrow was ANZAC Day. To be continued........................./

[PeteC]

That's an inspiring and touching place no matter how many times one sees it live or in a report. Thank's for reminding us all of what those prisoners went through. May they rest in peace.

[Nereus]

Another new feature (not sure if it was just around ANZAC Day), but there were golf buggies taking people down to Hell Fire Pass and back up again – free of charge. We did the museum bit (vastly changed from previous visits), and then chose the 155 steps each way, but the golf buggy might have been a consideration if we’d known about it earlier, and might open the attraction to Mrs BB if we go again.

Those 155 steps have stopped me from going down to Hell Fire Pass. I hope that the golf buggy is a permanent fixture.

[Big Boy]

There were a few there running trips when we were there. Near the (wrong) car park that we stopped at, there was a service area, which looked as though it was there for the buggies. A great addition if it is there - I'm sure a quick phone call would confirm.

[Nereus]

There were a few there running trips when we were there. Near the (wrong) car park that we stopped at, there was a service area, which looked as though it was there for the buggies. A great addition if it is there - I'm sure a quick phone call would confirm.

Ar, yes thanks and all. But I don't be having your phone number.

[Big Boy]

Kanchanaburi

Day 2 – Today was 25th April – ANZAC Day. We’d have to struggle to avoid the crowds.

Giant Monkey Pod Tree – we started by heading out of Kanchanaburi. Our journey took us down the other side of the river, and past the largest Chinese Cemetery that I’ve ever seen (not saying it’s the largest, just the largest I’ve seen). Then we turned into the mountains with some very spectacular temples built into the hillsides (photos don't do justice). This was a beautiful drive.

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When we got there, it was the biggest tree that I’ve ever seen. It was a monster, a tree that was a one tree forest in its own right. Not too commercialised (yet), but a large wooden platform to explore the underside of this tree. I’ve seen photos of the base of the tree under water, so I guess the platform is essential in wet season.

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There was a small ornamental garden by the tree, which was obviously the first step towards commercialism.

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I tried to find an alternate way back to Kanchanaburi, but it was across an army base, and the roads were blocked off. However, the army base was the home of the Thai Cavalry, so I guess, the hundreds of horses we saw (in beautiful condition) were having a little R&R before the King’s coronation.

We then drove back to look around the various war museums in Kanchanaburi.

To be continued........................./

[Nereus]

Giant Monkey Pod Tree

There are some comments about the tree; the size and age, plus why it now has a raised walkway around it.

http://www.richardbarrow.com/2018/09/co ... chanaburi/

[Big Boy]

Thanks Nereus - interesting, and confirms a fact I didn't previously believe i.e. the age. Incredible that large is only 100 years old.

I like the walkway - it enabled us to get close to the branches, leaves and blossoms, but it's the only way I've seen it. I guess never having seem it natural, I know no different. I did mention in my comments, the photo that attracted me to the tree showed the base of the tree under water - I just assumed the platform was for wet season.

[hhinner]

These rain trees are really quite impressive and in some respects remind me of oaks. There are quite a few around Hin Hin, especially near the railway station, although none of the size of this giant. And we saw one that's been cut down in soi 10 seemingly as part of the rail project (shame). In Thai known as ต้นจามจุรี or ต้นก้ามปู - jaamjuree tree or gampoo tree (crab claw).

[Big Boy]

Kanchanaburi Day 2 continued.................

Site of the Original Bridge Over the River Kwai – I never fail to take visitors to this one. The statue in the adjoining temple car park is quite impressive.

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Of course, there’s nothing to see, except a few monuments, but it’s good for visitors to see where it was.

I like standing on the riverbank and looking at the floating part of Kanchanaburi. A huge array of floating houses.

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There is also a small JEATH museum (3 huts) which have quite a few exhibitions of what went on during the war.

JEATH Museum –

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not to be confused with the museum at the site of the original bridge. (The acronym JEATH stands for the primary nationalities involved in the construction of the railway: Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai and Holland).

This museum stands a few hundred yards downstream of the current bridge,

View from JEATH Museum

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and is a complete mish-mash of exhibits. We only went in for the Death Railway exhibition, and left again.

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Death Railway Museum and Kanchanaburi War Cemetary - It was now mid-afternoon, so we headed towards Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, where the morning’s service should be well and truly over, and we should be able to do our own personal remembrance.

First stop was in the Death Railway Museum. This was my first time inside, and I was looking forward to it. The most expensive (150 Baht) of all the museums I’d visited, but many had said it was by far the best. In its favour, it was air conditioned on a very hot day, and there was a cup of coffee included in the price. There were a couple of lovely stained glass tributes here.

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Yes, it was very informative, but too much reading for me. I was disappointed. We drank our coffee, and moved on to the cemetery, which across the road.

The morning’s tributes at the memorial were slightly wilting in the hot sun (so was I), but still beautiful. We spent about an hour walking amongst the grave stones.

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One of our visitors was ex-RN, and was looking for (and found) the fallen from some British Warships – this was emotional for him. The thing that struck me was the young age of most of the fallen. They must have been in their prime.

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Tomorrow would be the long drive home.

To be continued........................./

[Big Boy]

The Journey Home (The final chapter)

We set off mid-morning from Kanchanaburi, with first stop being the Mitr Phol Stadium in Ratchaburi to buy tickets for the weekend’s match against Buriram.

I’d passed through Ratchaburi many times driving to and from Kanchanaburi. Today, I put my trust in Google maps, and it found a lovely route. I’d estimate 75% of the way we were driving alongside a river or canal, and we were the only vehicle on the road. Scenery was beautiful, but I haven’t a clue where I was. However, top marks to Google Maps.

From Ratchaburi, our next stop was Puk Tien for lunch at a nice restaurant I knew of there. Puk Tien, why? I hear you ask. One of our visitors had heard about Yaks, and wanted to know more. This was as good a place as any that I knew to talk about Yaks.

When we got there, the tide was going out. Our visitor decided to wade out to the Yak, and Mrs BB joined her. Our visitor started bad mouthing the Yak, saying how ugly she was. The next thing she knew was that she was laying on her back in the sea . Sodden, she abandoned her quest. Mrs BB made it all the way though.

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Conclusion

We’d covered a lot of ground in just 5 days. I think we ticked all the ‘to do’ boxes. Highlight for me was the Giant Monkey Pod Tree. Low point was our Ayutthaya hotel.