Chiang Mai

Train was good and clean. One of the attendants sorts out your bed. Clean sheets and a blanket. About the only problem is the number of bloody tourists, some of whom behave like adolescent school kids on their first trip.
Having said that, we were the oldest backpackers on the train..

We had the 'fidget', who spent almost an hour blocking the gangway pulling stuff out of her rucksack, then putting it back, while acting surprised when people wanted to pass.

Mike was forced to ask a group of them to 'keep the noise down' when the rest of the carriage was trying to sleep. He was very polite, but did growl a bit...

Then we had the 'grazers'. Two people who should have known better!!
How many zips and crunchy packets are there in the world/universe that contain food/munching items? Not kidding this went on for 2 hours!!!

To top it all the lights didn't go out till 0230 to be then back on at 0515 with the tea/coffee lady selling her drinks walking up and down the aisle, shouting, nay screaming her wares.  Oh and I forgot to mention the automatic doors opening and shutting every time the loo was used.

Apart from that saw a great sunrise over the jungle.

Found a gem of a place to stay. More of that later...

Not going to put any photos on till next post. So there......

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was Thailand's old capital. Its packed with Buddhist temples, and other archeological sites.
We caught a local bus from Kanchanaburi bus depot,then a mini bus the rest of the way.
We are staying in a traditional Thai house which has been converted into a guesthouse. It is called Tamarind. A little more expensive with air conditioning and a bed with sheets and duvet. What luxury!! 

Spent the weekend exploring. Place is jam packed with Buddhist temples. After visiting a few was all templed out. 

The old city is enclosed by river's. While there are bridges it is so much more fun to cross by ferry, isn't it Michael!!

Thousands of cockerels or roosters are on display at a monument dedicated to King Naresuan, who was heavely into cock fighting. Yvonne has never seen so many cocks......

We catch an overnight train to Chiang Mai later, Monday 15th. Takes 12 hours. Got sleeping berths in an ac carriage. Will be able to see the sun rise. It's an economical way to travel and it cuts a nights accommodation costs. 

Leave you with some pictures. 

Monsoon

One last place to see, the infamous Bridge over the river Kwai. Actually two were built at about the same time. The wooden one, famed in the film of the same name, and one made with concrete pillars, and steel. Both were completed within months of each other. Only one survived. 

Got there by using song thaew, which are converted pick up trucks. They have a fixed fee of 10 bhat per person. Asked the driver to drop us off by the road that leads to the bridge. It's about 1 km to walk along this road. To the amusement of the other passengers, who were all local Thai's, and our surprise he turned off his route and took us all the way. Naturally we tipped  him. The Thai's are such nice people.

Decided to walk back to our floating platform. About 2 hours. It's best to walk slowly when its 35 C, and quite humid.

Just in time because it started to RAIN, biblical style!! Mike was pleased we were on floating accommodation. Its monsoon season in Thailand until the end of September.

Tomorrow we catch a couple of buses to the old capital city, Ayutthaya.

Leave you with a few photos.

Erawan Waterfalls

Up early to catch the 9 am bus from the bus station. Off for a bit of light exercise, and a swim at the 7 tier waterfalls at Erawan national park. It's about 90 km, 50 bhat (£1), plus the entrance fee to the park.

Unlike the buses in India, Thai buses are very clean, run on time on good roads, with drivers who have a calm, Zen like approach to driving. Yvonne has no problem dozing, Mike is not constantly looking out for sudden death situations,white knuckling the seat in front... It feels less like dodge-em-cars, and more like slick choreography.

When we arrive the 'little light exercise' begins. We decide to get to the 7th tier in one go, or should I say slog, yomp, forced march!!
The water falls 1500 metres (1.5 km), cascading down these 7 falls. Well, that means going up, and up, and up. The first 6 falls have steps and steep jungle paths, the last one is a scramble. When we arrive Mike has melted, and even Yvonne has worked up a sweat.

We jump in the pool and get swarmed by fish all wanting the hard skin from our feet.
Now some of these fish are 8 - 9 inches long and have very sharp teeth. Feet have never felt so hard skin free. We thought skin free at one point!!!

Leave you with some photos.

Elephant world

Spent the day at Elephant World, a sanctuary for rescued elephants. A sort of retirement home for elephants rescued/saved from the logging industry, entertaining to tourists, or begging in the streets of big cities with their mahout's.

Costs a bit more but all the money goes into the welfare of the elephants. While the mahout's get some pay and accommodation, the majority of people who work there are volunteer's.

Most of the elephants are quite old 60 - 70+, so Mike felt at home.

Anyway you not only pay to go, they expect you to work. Preparing meals for those with and without teeth. Those without have 'sticky rice' with veg rolled in a ball and covered with a calcium additive.
We were also expected to feed the elephants, help to wash up, chop and carry palm leaves and branches, and then wash them.

We both enjoyed the day, if you ever get the chance.....go!!

 

River Kwai

Caught the train from Thornburi station after a river crossing. Only a short trip, so Mike didn't change colour. 
Thornburi is a minor station in Bangkok and two trains a day leave for Kanchanaburi, costs 100 bhat. Even though the train is 3rd class it is quite comfortable. The distance is 140 km west and a little north of Bangkok. 

The vegetation grows so quickly that in many places it overhangs the track. Consequently quite a lot of leaf and branch are ripped off by the edge of the open windows, showering the occupants. It is not wise to attempt to put ones head out of any window most of the time!!

Kanchanaburi is famous for its floating market and disco rafts. We are staying on a house raft. Mike was very pleased!!
The couple who own it do all the cooking, food is sublime.
Other than that supply your own sheets, towels etc.
Yvonne saw a Monitor lizard swimming by the side of our bedroom. It was 5 foot long. Lucky to see one as they are very shy.

Went to see the JEATH War Museum, (Japan, England, Australia, Thailand, and Holland). On to the War Memorial, and the Thailand - Burma Railway Centre. The latter gives a complete history of the horror of that time.

Took a local bus the 80 km to 'Hellfire Pass', one of the deepest cuttings on the death railway. Called Hellfire because of the shadows of men cast by the fires lit at night so work could continue.

You'd think governments/people/countries/politicians/etc would have learnt something, because we are sure that people who visit do.......

Anyway, on that sombre note leave you with some photos.

Far East

Now back on our travels. Mike with a new spring in his ticker, and Yvonne with a whole new itinerary.
Left Birmingham on Tuesday, arrived in Bangkok the next day. 6 hours ahead here, so if anyone wants the euro million numbers.......
Spent 3 nights in Bangkok and did: trips to Wat Pho, (Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (Buddhist Temple of Dawn), and the street markets. Used the river boats to get about along the Chao Phraya, the main river through Bangkok. Very cheap at a few baht a time. (1 baht is about 2p)

Decided to go as far as stop 1, starting at 13, as it is the same price no matter how many stops one goes.
Yvonne soon found her sea legs, although mike would not make a good pirate unless his dastardly duty was to vomit on people to make them submit.
When we got off Yvonne had cup of green tea, it was so green it fluoresced. She wanted to compete with Mike's complexion...

Street food is fabulous, and the Thai's love their beer, which was very good news for Mike!!

Tomorrow we go to Kanchanburi by river boat and train. Kanchanburi famed for the 'Death Railway' over the River Kwai, and 'Hellfire Pass'.

Leave you with some photos of Bangkok.