Bangkok

bridge over the river kwai

Another extremely easy border crossing saw us enter Thailand.  It's immediately apparent that Thailand is a much richer country than Cambodia and bizarrely it felt even hotter.  I sort of guessed that I wouldn't like the city and had been warned by my daughters to avoid, however it's on our route so a visit was in order. Suffice to say I would never return to this place.  To my mind it completely lacks character and charm.  I'm sure some people love it but not me. Although the ferry ride was cool as was the sky train. It's a massive city with numerous temples and the Royal palace.  As I have had enough of culture at the moment I avoided all those and instead have mooched around the local streets.  I have also visited the Siam shopping mall where I rode the escalators and gazed at shops I cannot afford to go in.  It's backpackers galore here and for me one of the worse sights was seeing a western fella of at least 80 walking hand in hand with his young Thai bride.  I could be mistaken of course and she could just have been his nurse!  Around the bars it's hard to tell which are ladyboys and which are women.  Luckily I don't think any of our guys are daft enough to try! 

Guess who I caught going into Maccys,  "Oh I never go there!!'  Yeah right!




 

Random building

Joy did us a favour and found a wine bar just off the Khoasan Road.  Cheap wine was what was needed and I can honestly say that Joy led myself and Maggs astray.  It's always the quiet ones.  So tonight will see us show Maggs the sights of Khaosan Road, which she may struggle to understand.  Should be good fun. 

A short journey from Bangkok bought us to Kanchanaburi, the home of the bridge on the river Kwai.  We're staying at a great little resort on the rivers edge with the food cooked by the owners Apple and Noi amongst the best we've had on the trip.  This is a great little town with lots to see and do, thousands of tourists everywhere and a good feel to the place.  I took Ben on a bike ride out to one of the many war cemeteries.  Very poignant, especially the graves for the unknown soldiers.  These cemeteries are extremely well maintained and  if it is correct to say so very beautiful in their own way.  On the way back we made a slight detour and ended up on a motorway.  Bit scary that one.  Ben also knocked his chain off which he somehow blamed on me!!  I wouldn't mind but earlier on the ride he managed to crash into the back of me.  Never a dull moment.  Learning my lesson, a bike ride on my own was needed and the next day I cycled along the river past numerous temples and Wats.  Myself and Kay also found an outside gym where we had a quick workout much to the amusement of all the passers by and the locals.  Two red faced women trying to look like they know what they are doing is quite an attraction in these parts!!  Anyway one more night here, along with some more great food, and we'll be returning to Bangkok to catch the overnight sleeper bus to the islands.  Koh Samui and a meet up with the kids and bambino for me.  Can't wait!!