We are currently in the old thai capitol of Ayuthaya,it's a nice change from the madness of Bangkok,It is the hottest month of the year here with the temp at a mind numbing 97 most mornings.Talking of Bangkok......
We stayed a total of 7 nights in BK,did exciting things like our laundry,and booking bus seats,but we did get to see a few markets,the one we enjoyed the most was the chatuchak weekend market.All 15,000 stalls and just utter chaos.selling everything from fake Levi's and rolex watches to live chickens and snakes,not forgetting all the cute little puppies,there must have been hundreds of the little fella's,no doubt a few would find thier way into a curryhouse in chinatown.We watched a thai girl break down in tears after being a victim of the razor artists.This is the slashing of the bag and the taking of the purse stealth like.We had to tear ourselves away from the market but left the other 200,000 souls to thier shopping.So we decided to pay a visit to the infamous Khao San road,and it was like little britain in Bangkok,we found ourselves just about running down the road,it was just tacky and nasty and full of pissed up teenage westerners.
We did a little bit of shopping and got a nice new rucksack so we could leave the bulk of our gear and travel light.After a tuk tuk journey that went all wrong we eventually found our way out of Bangkok.Heading by public bus to the Kanchanaburi province,i must point out that the public buses have televisions on them and much to our horror our driver was a big fan of the show that was playing.Thankfully we arrived in one piece in Kanchanaburi,home of the famous bridge over the river kwai.And what a chilled out and refreshing change from Bangkok.We checked out the death war museum and learned a bit more than the movie tells you,then headed over to the allied war cemetary.It was really moving to see,the grounds are immaculate and obviously well cared for by the locals.Then it was off to find the bridge.we must have gone at a good time because there was no one on it but us two,so we had a walk over to the other side and back,and just then a bus load of Jap tourists turn up to see what grandad did during the war.
Next day was action action action......with an 8am kick off we headed toward the Erawan national park for an elephant trek through the jungle,the highlight being when the guide jumped off and told me to take control of the beast.Next it was a bamboo raft down the river kwai,it was like going back in time the scenery was awesome and it was very tranquil and untouched by man.
Lunch followed before heading on foot to the Erawan waterfalls,seven levels of waterfalls each with a pool for swimming,it really was beautiful,and the water was freezing which was very refreshing as it was a blistering 100 deg that day.
Then after a few hours messing about in the pools we headed to Wang pho to catch the train bach to Kanchanaburi which is known as the death railway line.After crossing over the bridge we were dropped off at river kwai station.then headed for beers......
The next day having been told by the she-male owner of our hostel that our room was no longer ours we checked out and headed for the bus station,looking forward to yet another wacky race we headed to the town of suphanburi where we had to change buses and get another to Ayuthaya.And here we are at the old siam capitol.There are pockets of old Khmer temple ruins dotted around the city dating back to the 14th century,just round the corner from mcdonalds.
Well thats us for now,we are going on a river tour today,and then tonight we are on the night bus to Chaing mai.It's only 12 hours this one so it should be ok.
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