New Year in Kanchanaburi
on My Thai (Thailand), 06/Jan/2011 14:59, 34 days ago
 Even though Thai new year falls at a different time to Western new year, everything at work shut down for a long weekend so I took the opportunity to get away for a few days.I decided to head to Kanchanaburi, thinking I'd have a quiet one away from Bangers.It was only about two hours away by minivan and, after finding out my pre-booked£5 a night room cost that much for a reason (ie. it was sinking!), I did a bit of trekking and settled on this place on the river.Yeah, looks lovely and peaceful doesn't it?It was until about 9am and then every few minutes a long tailed speed boat would zoom past. Still, they made my raft room bob up and down in the water which was nice.When the lights went down they brought out the big guns though and there'd be Thai karaoke barges sailing up and down during the night; blasting out all sorts including Westlife and Wham's 'Last Christmas', which was weird!Karaoke heavenI headed to the bridge over the River Kwai pretty early but it was already full of people. Managed to walk across and back without falling in but I can't believe trains still run over it.I was amazed to learn that over 100,000 people lost their lives building the 'Death Railway' during WWII and about the appalling conditions they had to endure.Interesting side note, fact fans:The bridge didn't actually run over the River Kwai but, after the film was made and the tourists started arriving, the river was renamed to make up for the mistakes of the book and film. The power of Hollywood!Allied War CemeteryI also managed to rent a rickety old bike for only 40 baht and had a ride out across the river. It was really beautiful - lots of farmland with a pretty impressive mountainous backdrop thrown into the bargain.Nearly rode over a snake at one point, which might not have turned out too well though!I also stopped off at Wat Tham Khao Pun, a temple with a series of caves attached.   I stupidly forgot that monks aren't meant to touch women so had this awkward moment that involved me dropping my 20 baht payment into his hand. So rude! Wat Tham Khao PunKanchanaburi countryside...After my few days there I decided to take the train back to Bangkok.Turns out 7.30 on a Sunday morning is a pretty busy time for commuters!There were lots of women dressed in white who I think were heading to various wats around Bangkok for meditation.So instead of the scenic countryside views I'd anticipated I was stood in an aisle with my hefty rucksack at my feet, moving every few minutes to let one of the food sellers past.Still, it's all part of the experience!