So next stop on my travels was Kanchanaburi. And continuing the movie theme (see previous blog) Kanchanaburi is home to the the Death Railway Bridge, made famous by the film The Bridge on the River Kwai. For those not who don't have clue what I'm going on about, here's a quick history lesson: During World War Two, the Japanese sought increasing control over Southeast Asia. Getting into Burma (Myanmar) proved tricky so they decided a new rail link was needed so they began to construct the Thai-Burma railway using Prisoners of War (mostly British and Australian) as free labour. The railway became known as the Death Railway due to the amount of POW who died whilst building it because of the dreadful conditions and poor treatment by the Japanese. Class dismissed.
We visited the war museum and the allied cemetery where there were hundreds of headstones for British, Australian, Dutch and American soldiers. The British ones had badges of what regiment (I don't know if this is the right term) they had come from and I managed to find some "Sherwood Foresters" who had come from Derby and Nottingham. Quite a proud moment I think.
Enough seriousness. Now for a fun fact. The River Kwai is constantly mispronounced by, well pretty much everyone except Thai people. Speak about the river Kwae (as in "care") and not about the river Kwai (as in "pie") otherwise you'll be talking about the river Buffalo which always gets a laugh from Thais. We went kayaking on the river which was a lovely serene trip. Though we did crash into a floating restaurant causing several patrons and staff to come running. (there a lots of floating things here- restaurants, bars, guesthouses, dead kayakers) only our pride was bruised though and we made a speedy getaway under the bridge.
Kanchanaburi has turned out to be one of my most favourite places so far. There's a perfect mix of culture, history, tourism, cheap places to stay and cheap places to drink. Not that I've been testing these places out...much. But you've got to visit a bar which promises you drinks for ten Baht (20p)
Ah, yes the leopard mauling. Well I was in a market (nice, calm, supposedly leopard-free) and there was a bus. With a leopard on it. It looked young and cute though it was chained up quite shortly and the whole situation was a bit sad. I took some photos (it's not every day you see a leopard) from a safe distance before the owner came over and forced me to touch it. Literally grabbed my hand, dragged me over and put my hand on its head. It didn't like this and instantly lunged at arm batting my hand away. Luckily, its claws had been cut very short so it didn't actually cut me. But still!
Right, times up for this internet cafe so Sawat Dee Ka!
We visited the war museum and the allied cemetery where there were hundreds of headstones for British, Australian, Dutch and American soldiers. The British ones had badges of what regiment (I don't know if this is the right term) they had come from and I managed to find some "Sherwood Foresters" who had come from Derby and Nottingham. Quite a proud moment I think.
Enough seriousness. Now for a fun fact. The River Kwai is constantly mispronounced by, well pretty much everyone except Thai people. Speak about the river Kwae (as in "care") and not about the river Kwai (as in "pie") otherwise you'll be talking about the river Buffalo which always gets a laugh from Thais. We went kayaking on the river which was a lovely serene trip. Though we did crash into a floating restaurant causing several patrons and staff to come running. (there a lots of floating things here- restaurants, bars, guesthouses, dead kayakers) only our pride was bruised though and we made a speedy getaway under the bridge.
Kanchanaburi has turned out to be one of my most favourite places so far. There's a perfect mix of culture, history, tourism, cheap places to stay and cheap places to drink. Not that I've been testing these places out...much. But you've got to visit a bar which promises you drinks for ten Baht (20p)
Ah, yes the leopard mauling. Well I was in a market (nice, calm, supposedly leopard-free) and there was a bus. With a leopard on it. It looked young and cute though it was chained up quite shortly and the whole situation was a bit sad. I took some photos (it's not every day you see a leopard) from a safe distance before the owner came over and forced me to touch it. Literally grabbed my hand, dragged me over and put my hand on its head. It didn't like this and instantly lunged at arm batting my hand away. Luckily, its claws had been cut very short so it didn't actually cut me. But still!
Right, times up for this internet cafe so Sawat Dee Ka!
Fleur, pleased to read another blog soooo soon! Carry on sight seeing and blogging too! It is great to see that you are visiting so many interesting places and especially carrying on your "love" of history as well. I very much enjoy the informative nature of your writing, it has made me check things out on the "net" and get out the Lonely Planet Guide that you left behind!!! Thanks. Please stay safe and keep those arms (and legs!) away from the wild beasts in future!! Can't wait to see the pics tho'!
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