GOING UP COUNTRY

-

Bridge On The River Kwai

-
Our driver turned up dead on time at 8 for our journey up north to Kachenabora. Ali and Annabel had said that this was a trip worth making for a number of reasons. First we would be able to experience Thai life outside of Bangkok, then would be able to visit the historical site of The River Kwai bridge, cemetery and museum and then the elephants where we would have the opportunity to ride elephants, see monkeys and other animals in the wild and leopards and tigers too. Mr Chang was an amicable man and as we found out later anxious to please us and make sure we had a good time.
-

-
It took about two hours to reach the first stop, the cemetery where over 6,000 British, Dutch and Australian P.O.W.'s are buried during the construction of the 'Death Railway' between and Burma in World War Two. The cemetery is immaculately kept and tended by the Thai people. We then visited the Death Railway museum and finally the bridge over The River Kwai itself. The museum too was pretty harrowing although I knew most of the facts and story already, when you are in that climate, yo realise what those brave soldiers went through in captivity.
-

-

Next stop was the local market where unfortunately the tourist industry has grown since Ali and Annabel's last visit. There were many stalls selling all sorts of crap but we managed to buy Trish a really lovely hat as she had forgotten hers. Don't worry sweetheart, it's only 38 degrees in the shade!

-

-

From there we headed up to the elephant sanctuary. Here it is possible to live with the elephants and tend for them and of course ride with the safe guidance of their Mahoot. This was a fantastic experience and one we will not forget. From there we began the journey home but driver Mr. Chang, or is it Jack, knew where we could observe monkeys in the wild and luckily, Annabel had a bannana. A great photoshoot followed.

-

Elephants!