This is actually a long-delayed blog post about our May 2010 trip to Thailand. However, I've been getting a lot of questions from friends who want to visit Thailand apart from the shopping mecca called Bangkok so I promised to share some tips with them. I previously blogged about the temples when there was an Amazing Thailand photo contest on Facebook but forgot to share the rest of our trip.
We were actually lucky to have a very friendly tour guide recommended by our place at DS67 Suites. His name is Poo, and is a taxi driver/tour guide/photographer all-in-one! He took us to all the tourists spots around BKK and even took the time to tour us around the provinces near Bangkok so we'll experience Thailand away from the beaten track. I took the liberty to email DS67 Suites for his latest number and they replied right away! So, next time you find yourself in Bangkok, call Khun Poo at 089-0102120 and I guarantee you'll make the most out of your trip. It's actually cheap to call mobile phones there, just look for a payphone and drop a coin (worth 5 or 10 pesos I think) and you're good to access the number above!
These are just some of the highlights of our trip, since he took us to a lot of places. We went to the Damnoen Saduak floating market 'cause we were inspired by the Canon commercials. Here, the Thai people show their warmth and hospitality and will gamely pose for photos while selling their wares from their small boats. The ride took about an hour or so and we saw the village by the river and the market where everything is sold from tea to dried up snakes. Don't plan on swimming there, though. The river's as filthy as ilog Pasig!
And of course, no trip to Thailand would be complete without meeting some elephants! Poo decided not to take us to the tourist-laden elephant centers near Bangkok. He took us to one where there are more elephants and plenty of jungle room where they can roam around. My sister and I got to ride Sikoo, a young female elephant, around the woods.
I love elephants! Such gentle creatures. The Elephant Village in Muang Sing allows the elephants to roam around unlike the ones near Bangkok where they don't have much space for walking. There was also a pregnant mom when we were there and she was a bit testy, they wouldn't let us near her.
She loved those bananas! :-)
Poo also decided not to take us straight away to the famous river Kwai bridge. He took us to this train station in Kanchanaburi instead which overlooks the river and is a semi-usable train rail going to Nam Tok. Trains pass here twice a day and we were lucky to chance upon it because the view was just unforgettable and no other tourists were around.
This place is actually called the Death Railway because it was built by the Japanese during World War 2 to secretly transfer war supplies from Thailand to Burma and many people died during its construction.
This place is actually called the Death Railway because it was built by the Japanese during World War 2 to secretly transfer war supplies from Thailand to Burma and many people died during its construction.
If you have a fear of heights or doubt your balancing powers, I do not recommend walking along the train tracks. They are not in the best condition and you have to watch out for some cracks. The view was worth it, though.
If you walk farther along the tracks, there's a cave-like makeshift temple which houses another golden miniature buddha. You have to be there to experience the serenity of the place. It's amazing how this place has been kept under the tourist radar.
Or you can also choose to walk on the tracks all the way to Burma! Kidding.
The famous river kwai bridge actually pales in comparison to the train tracks version. I'd rather go here again and maybe go for the river raft tour, these guys looked like they were having fun!
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