The River Kwai

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Hi again from sunny Bangkok,
Quick thanks to those that have sent messages so far. Nice to hear from home. Decided to venture out of the city and head for the river Kwai bridge made infamous by the building of the Thailand-Burma railway built by POWs under the rule of te Japanese during WW2. Decided to go it alone and travel by public transport to Kanchanaburi, the lesser known name of the town at which te bridge and POW cemetery are located. Tours are easy to come by but in comparison quite expensive. It also gave us chance to "interact" with the locals and find our own way!
We arrived after nearly 2.5 hours in Kan and got pick-up to our riverside abode at Sam's Guesthouse. A lovely somewhat rural riverside retreat costing only 10 quid a night (in comparison to 100 in the Hilton!). It comprised a multitude of wooden huts perched on stilts in the river. Quite a change of scene but Kate even said she slept better that night than in the Hilton so money well spent!
Our main reason for the trip was to see the POW cemetery and bridge and given time take a trip up the death railway itself.
First we visited the POW museum which we both found very moving indeed considering what those unlucky men of UK,Auzzie, Dutch and US hadto go through. It is said that one man died per sleeper laid and this is brought home when you take the train up country. The cemetery was immaculate which is always the case considering the work of the POW cemetery commision and its good to see.
From there we went up to the bridge itself which looks very different from the bridge in the film and to some can be a very disappointing site. Nevertheless the new setting, multiple tourists and floating restaurants don't undo what those men suffered building the line.
We returned next morning and got the train up to NamTok avoiding the usual touts and scam-artists now that we're becoming more streetwise as the days go by. The scenery was beautiful if very different from the war days and you still get a feeling of how difficult te conditions would have been.
On arrival in NamTok we headed for the local bus station and got the "rather slower" bus back to Bangkok arriving about 5 hours later into the heart of the city as it was gearing up for Loy Kratong, a famous festival in which everybody puts floating flowers with candles in the river followed by a rather spectacular fireworks display. We sampled yet more streetside culinary dishes and are still standing to tell the tale!
Tomorrow were off to Cambodia and te temples of Angkor Wat, a true specticle awaits us from all we've read and heard.
Hope you are all well, Mark and Kate signing off.

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Photos

Shack by the river
Picture from our small balcony looking on to the Kwai! While the toilet was inside, the sink was outside. Very atmospheric teeth-cleaning.

The bridge
Picture showing the real bridge. Some who have seen the film will not recognise it. Note the two new pieces repaired by Japan after the war as part of the reparation process.

Relaxing
Only thrid class tickets available (hard wooden seats, open windows, no trolley service!) We changed our mind about going back to Bangkok on the train and opted for bus instead.

The death railway
Picture out of the railcar showing the viaduct built by the POW. Most men working on this section died

Comments

[Loz]

Sunds ACE!
Hi Guys, all sounds really amazing - wish I was there - remember the street food in Malaysia was pretty good too altho looked dodgy. Thought I would also quickly let you know that I got the micro reg number - how weird! So wil be back in Sheff about the time you get back ready for another reunion then! Have fun, lots of love, Lozza xxxxx