To Kanchanaburi, the wild west?

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And I'm bound for Kanchanaburi.

There's two trains a day from Thonburi station over in the west of Bangkok - 7:55 and 13.50, any guesses which I got?!

For the three-four hour journey I was thinking I'd get a good read in between my current books, including A History of Thailand by Baker and Phongpaichit which has been excellent so far. Rather, I spent almost all the journey looking out the window, it was so enjoyable.
I'd recommend the train to anyone - fast, comfortable (though it's called 3rd class, really?), scenic and colourful. I wondered what others' journeys were.

This route heads up to Nam Tok of the Hellfire Pass and further up from my stop of Kanchanaburi is the (in)famous River Kwai bridge that i would head to later. At the stops on the way, local vendors jump on and speed through to sell fruit and cakes. Some fellow passengers are laid out on the seats to nap, kids are held excitedly at the windows by their parents.

The train sped through small towns, lakes freckled with lily pads, jungly forest.. and up to where the land opens out to rice fields, with tree covered hills set further back. We were now parallel to the Khwae Yai river.

We arrived, on time, and Bangkok seemed far behind.

I headed out to the river fronted Tamarind guesthouse where I would stay, a sweet spot. Pictures below show how the evening welcomed me as I left my room, and I love the 'large paper airplane / or is it a bird' cloud over the hills.

I'd washed off the journey and more so, and I really should stress this(!), my walk here carrying big bag. I may need to purge some 'previous-essentials-now-inessentials', I think by week four my carrying list may be down to (insert exaggerated claim).

By now the sun was setting. River reflections, mountains were sure behind - which was not surprising as they seemed ever backed up with darker peaks, as part of a loyal mountain team - plus a plethora of river plant life and geckos performing their quicksteps across paler surfaces (cuties).

I headed out along Maenam Khwae road, the happening yet chilled hub by the river here.. Buddha bar, blue jeans bar, Karaoke, and hellos with the waiting owners and a few drinking heads. I kept walking, fancying something quiet and different. (Though I was sure to be back here bopping along to Bon jovi other nights?).

The mid point of my walk was punctuated with quite a brilliant slip down a tumbling kerb! A quick bit of on the spot first aid (a tissue and insect repellent) did wonders to stop the bleeding. And now I had the true traveller's bashed leg, right? And I could always pretend it was from rock climbing? saving a falling baby monkey?..

I then found the kind of spot I fancied - the bicycle cafe - and it was cool, really cool. I could sit here with a Singha (ahh) with 60s & 70s, soul and a bit of indie, and take in so many objects.. barber seats, cinema armchairs.. old adverts, Thai and American film posters.. old TV set tables, hanging bike parts, rocket mobiles and a doodle board.

Time for a bit of writing and some delicious dim sum. The guys here were really nice and we looked over a map with cycling routes. I am looking forward to exploring the river Kwai that runs the whole town, seeing local temples, getting to nearby national parks and learning about the death railway. And indeed, to cycle about.

I think I am going to like Kanchanaburi.

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Photos

Kanchanaburi evening
Is it a bird, is it a plane?