Bridge over the River Kwai

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Famous for the number of films it has been in, infamous for how many lives it has cost. The bridge over the River Kwai was a memorable insight into the history of Thailand. Kanachanburi is home to the war cemetary where plaques are displayed of those who lost their lives. We were unable to walk around the cemetary due to the down pour of rain over the last three days but it was still a moving experience. During the Second World War, Japan invaded Thailand. Many people were taken as Prisoners Of War (British, Thai's, Australian's) and were forced to build a railway that crossed into Burma. As a result many died, often due to being overworked, malutrition and the beatings they enjured. The Jeath War Museum tells this sad story and displayed artifacts of both the prisoners and Japanese.

It was pretty cool to be able to walk across the bridge, if not a little dangerous (it wouldnt have been too difficult to have slipped and fallen into the river!). It was interesting to see the two portions of the bridge that were reconstructed after the war. In the 40's the allies bombed the bridge despite the fact that the Prisoners Of War were standing on it. The Japanese aware of the incoming attack ordered the prisoners onto the bridge in the hope that the allies would not bomb it. However, the prisoners walking onto the bridge knew that they were walking to their deaths. Apparently after the bombing, the River Kwai turned red.

We were able to take a 40 minute train ride across the railway and over the infamous wooden part. It was awesome to see the train slowly bend around the mountain, although our view wasn't brilliant due to a mix up of our left and right, stupidly enough we turned down seats on our left with the suberb view because we thought it was the right hand side...doh, back to school for us!! This was a particulary dangerous part to build as it curved high around the mountain, prisoners knew if they fell, it was certain death. Many died and was a contributing factor to the 100,000 lives lost. It is understandable why it has been nicknamed 'The Death Railway'.

Later we took a short but fun elephant trek and even fed them afterwards, elephant slime...euch!!. A goat (and a dog!) took a particular liking to Bec C or was it the other way around?! They were very cute. A fantastic waterfall sprang out at us as we drove back to the river for our final treat of the day, bamboo rafting. The waterfall was fun to paddle around in and to take a few snaps but you couldn't beat the tranquility and peacefulness of drifting down the Kwai on a couple of bamboo logs tied together, a perfect and relaxing way to end an amazing day.

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Comments

[Sonya]

Pushing the boundaries
Becky C you are looking im not on that trip with you as i would have told you to get down off that waterfall looks way tooo dangerous for you to be stood there. As i have said in every email be careful your pushing you luck young lady (the teacher is well within me now) xx

[Lynda]

Elephants
Loved the photos of the elephants - they are one of my favourite animals. The waterfall looks spectacular - could you climb any further up it? Good to see the bridge - you'll have to watch out for the films now! Lynda xx