Blogs from Western Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 5

Sangkhlaburi really has charmed me. It's beautiful and there's no over stating how much I have enjoyed actually seeing, walking and moving through the village, bridge and rivers that I had read of. I've found the people to be kind, quieter with me than in those in Kanchanaburi, enjoying of a slow pace; and its a place that's culturally diverse and harmonious. The status of many of the minorities from old Burma means that some do not get education or health care access, however there are a few important school programmes & community hubs here. An example of the overall harmony and care is from when the Mon Bridge partly collapsed in 2013 - the communities both sides (the Thai, the Mon and the Karen) worked together to very quickly build a floating bamboo walkway over ... read more

Geo: 14.02, 99.53Arrived early this morning and took a taxi to Kanchanaburi. Due to some closed bridges saw a lot of Bangkok on the way. Our driver didn't know our hotel or how to use his gps so lucky for all of us, we brought our gps so Thierry guided us.As soon as our room was ready we took a siesta and afterwards managed to arrange our trip for tomorrow and we took a walk to the bridge over the river Kwai. Sunday and a festival so lots of people on the bridge. We were sitting at the river with a good view on the bridge when the train passed so picture time. On our way back the train to the other side had to pass when we wereon the tracks, not much space between us ... read more

One of the things I am going to try to do on my travels is to see and enjoy festivals and events - the local and specific, the national and mass attended.. The good, the fun and the 'hmm I'm not sure about this' ones. Loy krathong (and 'loy kra-tung' out loud as I learnt*) was a regions wide festival I was looking forward to before I arrived in Thailand - knowing it would be when I was starting all this, and that I'd likely be in a place that partakes. I wasn't in one of the hotspots, like Sukhothai, but Kanchanaburi and I enjoyed a colourful, chilled and fun time. The festival goes a long way back, with Hindu origins, though its exact beginnings are a little unclear. It was likely started as a way ... read more

. Today it was time for a little quest. I'd made a note of a hill cave temple - Kaopoon - before I'd left the UK, which was a little out the town and a good chance to enjoy a cycle. I hired a bike and okay, to be honest bicycle, I did judge you a little with your basket and strange frame - but you turned into the perfect trip accomplice. We rode through the town, taking diversions from my vague mental map as my eyes caught something. So we rode down Song Kwai road and Pak Praek, where we found the Wat Chaichumpon temple complex, bustling with Theravada monks, and containing the Jeath war museum and various statue tributes. The roads were decorated with thai and yellow flags above (yellow for the king - ... read more

Phi phi took a piece of me What can I say and where do I start!! Arriving at the island was not as anticipated, the feeling and vibe was cool and calm soon as you stepped off the ferry, however our ferry across was like a boat party in Ibiza and a 2 hour journey on the top deck left a few people in a mess (no dad not me) Our room was like something off a postcard, did however pay a little more for the luxury and view 1800 baht (£36 a night for the room). It overlooked the beach near the view point in a little wooden hut on the rocks (thanks for the heads up on the torch situation Lucy)We arrived at night so asked what people usually do, and was guided to ... read more