Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya

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I took a public bus to Kanchanaburi, site of the infamous and tragic 'Bridge over the River Kwae', walking across the bridge at sunset. It was frighteningly picturesque!

The next day I went to Erawan National Park, and hiked up the seven tiered waterfalls, swimming in some of the pools, climbing on the rocks under the falls themselves, and getting nibbled at by fish. In the afternoon I take a kayak trip six or seven kilometres down the river, passing locals fishing and washing in the sewage-filled water. As I paddle under the bridge, a train crosses it, heading for the Burmese border.

I catch another bus to Ayutthaya to visit some very old temples in the Khmer style - a testament to the centuries of conflict between Thailand and what is now Cambodia - and see the famous Buddha face peering out from between the tree roots.

I catch an overnight train to Chiang Mai, in the North of Thailand.

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Photos

Buddha head in roots
At Ayutthaya

Large seated Buddha
On the river Kwae

The hand of God
Detail of huge Buddha

Elephant
This one had 3 heads.

Reclingin Buddha
Close up of face

Stupa
Seated Buddha in front of stupa

Paddy fields
Archetypal stuff.