This is what I've been hoping for
From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi in Kanchanaburi, Thailand on Feb 03 '07
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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.
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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.
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Bike ride around town to get our bearings tomorrow .
Elaine x x
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Popular Kanchanaburi Things to Do
- Thai-Burma Railway Centre
- River Kwai Bridge
- Bridge Over the River Kwai
- Tiger temple
- The Tiger Temple Kanchanaburi




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