Kanchanaburi
Bridge on the River Kwai

Also to visit the several War Museums, and an ANZAC Plaque at Hell Fire Pass honouring the Prisoners of War in 1943 who endured appalling conditions, as they worked on the Burma to Thailand Railway during the Second World War.

Sightseeing Around Kanchanaburi

We departed from the end of the road where Apple Cottages are located. The boat took us down the river to the wharf by the famous Kanchanaburi “Bridge on the River Kwai”. We walked across the bridge ..........the railway line is still in use so you need to be aware a train could come at any time. But it certainly has a sense of history.There are small standing areas set back you can move to if you get caught. You need good shoes as the tracks are difficult to walk on with raised bits and holes.

Erawan National Park - Erawan Falls

Erawan National Park is a UNESCO Heritage site. We walked through beautiful, lush jungle, along an easy stretch of pathway and steps.

Eventually coming out at a stunning turquoise pool, backed by a gorgeous waterfall. Those who wanted to swim enjoyed the fresh cool water, and were able to scramble up and stand behind the curtain of water, looking like ghostly shadows to those of us on the periphery.

Here you can try the natural foot health treatment I have since read of that is supposed to be the latest spa treatment. Dipping your feet in the water and letting the hundreds of tiny fish nibble your feet. They eat the flaky dead skin, cleaning your feet! Much better in a natural environment! It is a tickling sensation, and not at all unpleasant.

You can also walk to see the Tharn Pratat cave with its dramatic stalactites and stalagmites.

There are some restaurants just below the park entrance. We had an excellent and very cheap meal here after our park visit.

Wat Kao Pun Caves

The Kao Pun Wat and the Kao Pun Cave are 5 km from town at highway 3228. Some boat tours stop there as part of a day tour. Inside the cave are several Hindu and Buddha images in various rooms. Behind the temple on the way to the river is a big Buddha. You will get a wonderful view of the river valley from by the Buddha.

Ayutthuya

Unfortunately we were unable to go inside as the area had been flooded. It was very disappointing and from all I have read and the little I saw it should certainly be on your list if you are in the area.

This is a four hour trip each way but if you do not plan to go further north you may want to make this as a day trip.Otherwise it can be a stop en route to Chiang Mai.

The capital city of Siam for over 400 years at the height of its splendour Ayutthaya's Grand Palace had seven major halls and pavilions.

All were lavishly embossed with gold-leaf,and most of them were gilded, lacquer and mother-of-pearl. Within the palace precinct was a parade ground and grape garden reserved for royalty. Sadly, only the foundations of the palace buildings now remain.

The Tiger Temple - this is somewhat controversial.

You may like to research information on the treatment of the tigers before going there.It certainly seemed the tigers were well treated when we were there in 2007, but recent information suggests this may have changed.

Kanchanaburi War Museums

We were first in Kanchanaburi in 1987 and the town has certainly become more tourist oriented since then. Thatch roofed boats, karoake blaring ply the river.You can still visit the original, rustic War Museum,and climb on an old train. But there is a new one recently opened..........The Australian War Museum. Built and funded by the Australians, you can use a headset to hear about the well presented displays.It is nicely set out and well worth visiting.

Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery - Don Rak War Cemetery

Opposite is the Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery, where you can wander and find the headstones of your countrymen or even relatives.

If you are a New Zealander you will need to look in the British section, as New Zealanders fought under the British regiments. The museum barely mentions New Zealanders for this reason, although several fought and were prisoners building the Burma Railway.5 New Zealanders died here, compared to 2, 700 Australians and many thousands of Malay, Chinese,Tamil and Burmese.

Chonk-Kai Allied War Memorial

- contains the graves of 1,740 Australian, New Zealand, British, French and Dutch Prisoners of War in well maintained grounds. This cemetery is the smaller of the two but is well worth visiting as it is a moving experience, particularly for those with relatives who fought during the war.

JEATH War Museum

JEATH stands for Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland, representing the nationalities of the prisoners of war (POW's) who were forced to work on building the "Bridge On The River Kwai".There is an exact reconstruction of a PoW hut.It is located near the bridge.

Hell Fire Pass

This museum set out over a jungle clad valley has spectacular views. The museum is well done with excellent photos, information and a film of the Burma Railway and history of the area.

We took the pathway beside the building, which takes you through the jungle down numerous steps to the actual place where part of the railway was built.It has since been removed.

With high rock walls on either side of the railway channel, you can pay tribute to the many men who worked in appalling conditions here. You really could get a feel for their experience working in terrible heat, hungry and the harsh regime they were subjected to.

There were also thousands of Malays, Tamils, Chinese and Burmese who lost their lives here.

Thai Burmese Railway Centre

This is an interactive museum next to Don-Rak War Cemetery

Apples Guesthouse - Recommended Accommodation

Cooking Classes

You can also have cooking classes here which have had excellent reviews.

Restaurant Meals at Apple's Guesthouse

Meals at the restaurant were excellent. We enjoyed some delicious breakfasts ( included in the room rate) and evening dinners. I highly recommend the

• Massaman curry – either pork or chicken – it was delicious
• The mango sticky rice is still the best of this dish I have tasted anywhere.
• Tom Yum Soup with HUGE prawns – excellent
• Banana pancakes...mmmmmmm
• Lassi...the pineapple lassi was extra good.

There are many restaurants to choose from around Kanchanaburi, but we enjoyed our meals so much we didn't try any others.

Laundry

There was a laundry across the road that was cheap and quick.We dropped off our clothes in th evening and could pick them up freshly laundered early the next morning.

Thai Massage

Reclining on white mattresses, with filmy white muslin curtains draped overhead and quiet 60’s music playing, it was most relaxing. After your massage you relax with a cup of tea. An excellent way to relieve travel aches and pains.

Getting around Kanchanaburi

• Bicycle - you can hire bikes to explore the near environs
• Motorbikes are also on hire
• Day Tour - I suggest these may your best way of seeing quite a lot in a short time.There are several to choose from.....so look for one that incorporates the sights you really want to see and suits your budget
• Walk - you can walk around the town, the bridge area visiting museums, war cemeteries, shopping, finding a massage shop etc
• Bus - There is a comprehensive bus service to many of the places you will want to visit..Check here for a bus time table
• Train - There are also trains to several places of interest. Click here for the train timetable

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