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Bridge over the River Kwai

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  Yesterday, due to Covid19 parades and gatherings not being permitted. a select few laid a wreath at the local war memorial commemorating the 75th anniversary of victory over Japan, the end of WWII. Contemplating this event on Sunday I thought that I would brush off the metaphorical dust from a photo album recorded during my visit to Thailand and update my blog. The event was a train journey over the "Bridge over the river Kwai", and visits to the museum and war graves there on 28th January 2015. The memorial shown is located in the Kanchanaburi War Graves Cemetery, Thailand. Hayling Island has a similar monument near St Mary's Church. I had completed my journey around the country and returned to Bangkok but was determined to visit this location before flying back to South Africa. I will fill in the gaps later perhaps completing all of my blogs (don't hold your breath!). Three trains a day make the journey from Kanchanaburi over the bridge up to Tham Krasae Bridge. T...
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2019 - Where are we now?

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If you haven't seen it have a look on the " HOME " page at the top this page for my latest post. A summary and update of 2017.  onemantravelling.com  is my new website which hosts all of my blogs: tenerifebybus ( IN TENERIFE ), onemaninsouthafrica ( IN SOUTH AFRICA ), onemaninthailand ( IN THAILAND ), onemaninbulgaria (IN BULGARIA), onemanineurope ( IN EUROPE ) and onemaninspain (currently  IN MADRID ). Stop the press:  New posts added from France to  onemantravelling.com   - my adventures through 2018 and onward...    I promise that I will complete the story of my journey across Europe and other places as soon as I can. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, there always seems to be a new horizon ahead.
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Location: Embalse de los Arroyos, 28280, Madrid, Spain
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Rides, Rafts and Butterflies part 1...

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Dateline: Thursday 8th January, somewhere in the jungle... Another early start this morning as we head off up the 'motorway' and into the jungle.  There are no wild elephants left in Thailand but working elephants have been used for thousands of years both for domestic and military purposes.  I am visiting the 'Mae Taeng Elephant Park' north of Chiang Mai in Chiang Rai province. Do you know that they even preserve the elephant dung for a variety of purposes including making paper. The cardboard frames of the souvenir photos are made of this along with other functional gifts.
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Location: Kuet Chang, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Public Parks and Night Bazaars

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After a late night returning from Chiang Rai I did not make an early start today deciding to have a wander up what used to be the southern wall of the old city.  In 1296 all traffic would have passed through this gate when travelling to or arriving from the south.  I wandered along the street from my hotel, marvelling at the multitude of businesses conducted from the 'lock ups' along the way, past a school which looks more like a 'Wat' perhaps it was originally? Then dodging the traffic for a closer look at the moat and the remains of the huge wall which surrounded the original city. There is the equivalent of a 'mile post' set into the wall of the gate with various figures given in 'Thai' script which must have been very important in those days where some rode on carts but most walked. I continued walking along past "Tesco", the local shops were not driven out here, they just set up in front!  Most tourists are busy looking around the centr...
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Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle

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It is about 8:30 am on Thuesday the 6th January 2015, time for an early breakfast snack from a local vendor as we wait for the last of our passengers before leaving Chiang Mai for Chaing Rai and the "Golden Triangle".  This was the first of two excursions which I had booked during my visit to Chiang Mai and though very interesting I would recommend actually staying around Chiang Rai for a couple of days as there is so much to see. We set off fighting 'rush hour' traffic to leave the city behind, travelling along one of the recently constructed 'motorways' cut through the natural forest of the area.  After about 90 minutes we made out first stop at the natural hot springs for light refreshment and souvenir hunting if you are that way inclined.
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Location: Chiang Rai, Thailand
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My first look around Chiang Mai

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It is now the afternoon of the 5th January, after a couple of hours rest I decided to venture out and explore my surroundings on foot. Reaching the main road at the end of the side street where the hotel is situated I decided to turn left for no other reason than most of the traffic seemed to be heading in that direction at the time.  I came to a junction and discovered, quite by accident, that I had hit the corner of the old city. A very substantial ruin of a wall and what appeared to be a moat greeted me in the bright afternoon sunshine.
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Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
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The Sleeper

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After a leisurely day by the pool I make my way to my first adventure by train in Thailand. I arrive in darkness at the well lit main railway station for trains to the north, my bags packed and my ticket ready.  Entering the foyer I am greeted by a throng of people, some families, some backpackers all eager to get somewhere - in my case Chiang Mai, a popular destination in the north of the country. The station is watched over by the ever present portrait of the King and is beautifully laid out with flowers and ornaments. Destinations are clearly marked in both Thai and English and the experience is most welcoming.  I have chosen to travel 2nd class on the 'Special Express' night sleeper. I could travel 1st Class in an air conditioned compartment but where is the fun in that?
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Location: Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok, Thailand
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