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Published: July 12th 2010
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Today is Monday. Last night Spain won the 2010 World Cup. Lisa and I were tucked up in our noisy room at Tony's Place in Ayuthaya. I think the name Ayuthaya sounds like a Star Wars Princess but unforunately if this was the case we are about 5 centuries too late.
This place has lots of wonderful old temples, wats and the ruins are impressive but what's left of the town is pretty ordinary. We arrived yesterday, after an epic 8.5 hour bus jouney. We braved the local transport- always an adventure but it took us a mere 7 minutes to realise that 1.5 days was enough on this little piece of earth.
Today we hired a scooter- drove all around the island and checked out some of the main temple/sights. Tonight we are jumping on a boat cruise to see some more of the temples. They back light some of them so at night they look extremely pretty. Then, we nightbus it to Chang Mai (yay another 12 hrs of bustime fun).
Chang Mai will be the first slice of real tourism we will have seen since leaving Bkk. The past week we have thoroughly enjoyed our time seeing
'real' Thai life. We noticed how everyone smiled at us and the young people seem to be enthralled by what we are doing.
After leaving Bkk we took a mini van to Kanchanaburi- about 4hrs west. We stayed in a cute place called Blue Star and compared to Bkk prices, we were living on a pittance. Kanchanaburi is famous for the Bridge over the River Kwai. The bridge is just a bridge but it is still a powerful symbol and I'm glad we cycled in forty degree heat to see it. My highlight of Kanchanaburi was visitng the Thai Burma Railway Centre and the adjacent War Memorial. I think it is the best museum I have ever been to and the owner and staff provide a fitting tribute to those killed/involved in the building of the railway. Surprisingly, there were letters there from families who at the time lived in Wembly Park and Nedlands in Perth.
We left Kanchanaburi bound for Sangkhla Buri which is mostly known for being the border town of the Three Pagoda Pass. The border into Burma has been closed for years. We visited two children's homes in which refugee children from Burma are
educated, housed and fed. The experience is too complex for me to sum up in a few sentences but the Ban Dada Children's Home is somewhere I would like to return in the future and a place I could highly recommend to anyone wanting to volunteer (one of the rare places where they take short term placements).
Sangkhla Buri was a nowhere town. With the border closed the only travellers they see are volunteers and perhaps some trekkers. We stayed at the best place in town called P Guest House and did manage to find a few other gems, such as the Ban Unrak Bakery, Graph Cafe and a boutique guest house which isnt quite completed, yet is on the way to being a standout.
I (with Lisa's help) have booked my flights back to Perth. I arrive early morning on the 12th August. While still loving the travelling, I am looking forward to catching up with everyone again. I am reachng saturation point and losing enthusiam for things that should be captivating and amazing. I am beginning to plan my Africa leg. If you have any contacts or sights that just shouldn't be missed, please let me
know now! Don't forget to keep reading, I'm sure there will be more exciting Thailandia adventures before I land on home turf!
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brenda
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Saturation
Hi my darling. I just sent you an email and then your latest blog arrived in my inbox! It is, as always, lovely to read about your adventures. I am amazed that you continue to take those very long bus rides!!! I am eager to learn what your plans for Africa are, as I am concerned about you travelling there, especially alone. have you actually booked anything, or are you waiting until you return home to do so? I can't wait to give you a big hug and kisses. Hope I won't embarras you at the airport and blubber!!! Continue to have fun. be safe too. Allmy love, Mum