D2362431a1ead8ac1e8f17716e04301d

Kanchanaburi Travel Guide powered by advice from Real Travelers

 Get Real Deal alerts »
Editors Pick

This is what I've been hoping for

From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi in Kanchanaburi, Thailand on Feb 03 '07

This entry is about:

see all »

1 Place Visited

  • Nita Raft House

    "This place is fantastic. It's a floating oasis."
    Rating of 5 out of 5 read review »
see all »

10 Trip Photos

see full route »

Itinerary Map

Elaine-in-Asia has visited 1 place in Kanchanaburi
show more map
More views
More views
see all photos »

Day one. We arrived at 10.30 am and went straight to our lodgings (see review for info on amazing hostel). After a little rest, we had a little walk around and found the Jeath War museum at the end of our road. This is a fantastic little museum run by a Monk from the Temple nest door and it pays tribute to the thousands of Prisoners of war (POWs) that died constructing the Thailand to Burma railway (Death Railway) during WWII under the duress of the Japenese. American, Dutch, Australian and (Mostly) English POWs were brought here to build the railway and it's 14 bridges in outrageous conditions to help the Japanese gain control of SE Asia via the use of the railway as their exclusive route of transportation. Check it out on Wikipedia or see the old movie. 1000's died of Cholera, Malaria, Malnutrition and lots more. All suffered severe disentry and many lost limbs to Skin ulsers and Beri Beri. After the railway was completed, the Americans bombed one of the bridges and that is the one here in Kanchanaburi; The Bridge over the river Kwai.

Those funny Karaoke bars that kept us awake for most of Sunday night. They go on till about 7am at weekends!
Those funny Karaoke bars that kept us awake for most of Sunday night. They go on till about 7am at weekends!
see all photos »

After the Museum I was half asleep. After watching some huge fish feed in the river, we went back to the Raft House for 40 winks. We just chilled out, read our books, slept and ate a fantastic dinner.

the sounds of simulated air raid sirens and aeroplanes

We were going to go to a light show down the road that showed a model of the bridge being blown up using fireworks for effect, but we thought it may end up being too tacky and a waste of 150 baht. Luckily for us, we had a perfect view of the fireworks from the corridor outside our door (the end of the corridor is a mini jetty onto the river kwai). It was the most peaceful and haunting view with the sounds of simulated air raid sirens and aeroplanes and the sight of a mini fireworks display for gunfire and explosions. With the mist on the Kwai and moutains in the distance with wooden shacks on the banks, I felt like I was in nam, from right outside our room! Very spooky.

View I liked from my seat on a sofa in the living room
View I liked from my seat on a sofa in the living room
see all photos »

Bike ride around town to get our bearings tomorrow .

Elaine x x


 
Kyle & Dan avatar Kyle & Dan on Feb. 5, 2007 @ 09:32PM said
Hi Elaine! We have managed to read through your journal and it looks like you are adjusting well to being over here! We have changed our plans slightly and are going to Thailand a week early. We arrive on 14 Feb and will be in touch to see if we can meet up somewhere... Koh Phi Phi Don and the Phuket first for us. :-) Kyle and Dan xx

Would you like to comment or ask a question?

Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member).

Where have you been lately?

Share your travels with friends & family

Free travel blog
Sign up for a free travel blog