Trip to the River Kwai

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I feel like so much has happened since our last blog entry from Japan. Our most recent trip was to the Thai province of Kanachanaburi where the River Kwai is located. This area of Thailand is very beautiful - hilly with lots of forest, rivers, etc. The trip we went on was an Embassy-sponsored tour, which was great because we didn't have to do anything other than show up at the bus. Also, there were other families with young kids on the trip as well. The area is about a 3 hour drive from Bangkok and we stayed one night.

The first day we went to see the River Kwai with the war memorial cemetery (though all the bodies have been moved, you can look at the gravestones) and museum. The cemetery is well-maintained and the museum is quite moving - thousands of POWs died during World War II under the Japanese while constructing the railway. The original bridge over the River Kwai and the railway no longer exist, but they have built another bridge over the river on which you can take a small train. The river is lovely and we had lunch at a "floating" restaurant. The hotel we stayed in was also on the river, though further along away from the town in a very serene and picturesque setting.

The next day, we started off with elephant riding and river rafting. We then visited a Wat known as the Tiger Temple where monks take care of endangered native tigers from Burma/Thailand. The conservation effort is quite impressive, but even more impressive is that they let you pet the grown tigers! You are only allowed to go one at a time holding hands with a guide so as not to startle them.

In the last blog entry about Japan, I didn't have room to post photos from visits by relatives. My aunt Mary came to visit us in January and we went to Phuket with her and in February my cousins Michael, Susan and Jason came to stay. We had a great time with the family! Some of those photos are posted here.

Jim's most recent trip to Islamabad was quite interesting. He said it was a pleasant city and enjoyed his visit. He also picked up two beautiful carpets (at my request).

So that's all for right now. Jim and Max are headed back to the U.S. for about 2 weeks in April - my next trip isn't until we go to Singapore in May so it may be a little while before we post again.

Maddy

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Photos

Petting a Tiger
At the Tiger Temple.

Rafting Trip
down the River Kwai

Erawan Waterfall
Max and Jim swimming in the waterfall.

Bridge Over the River Kwai
Though not the original.

POW memorial cemetery
For those who died during WWII constructing the railway.

View from our hotel
in Kanchanaburi

Baby Elephant
shooting hoops

Visit with Aunt Mary
At the Marina Phuket resort having dinner overlooking Karon Beach.

Out to dinner
with cousins Michael and Susan - a nice French restaurant near our apartment building.

Max and Cousin Jason
at the Bangkok aquarium. Note the spider crab in the tank behind them.

Comments

[Eleanor]

Great to hear from you
Maddy, I love your blogs. Thanks for sharing the gorgeous photos. This just makes me want to visit you even more! Max gets more adorable every day--if that's even possible. Lots of love, Eleanor

[missgreg]

Wow
I loved reading your most recent blog and this last trip was just as fabulous as all of the rest. I have to say, Max-Max - all of the kids at school are going to be sooo jealous that you got to pet a real live tiger. What a lucky boy you are to get so up close and personal with such wonderful wildlife. If you come to DC in April, please stop by school. The kids and I would love to see you. Miss Greg

[Dorothy Black]

Maddy, thanks for keeping me up to date on your travels. Pictures are great, and I am envious at all the beautiful places you are seeing. I hope to visits before you leave Thailand, now that my mother is gone. Love to you all, Dorothy