Wesnesday 13th January

Good job our alarm went off as didn't get call from hotel and although we were all ready to go for 6.15am the taxi didnt arrive until 6.45. Got to the starting point just 15 mins or so down the road but it seemed like chaos. Finally left in the minibus at 8.15. We were wondering if we'd done the right thing!

As it turns out we needn't have worried. Our first port of call was the Damnern saduak floating market. It's truly a colourful experience and judging by the amount of people there, its very popular! The canals or 'khlongs' are filled with flat boats piled high with fresh produce, each jockeying for position and paddled by ladies ready to stop and bargain at a moment's notice. They shout to ask if you want to buy and if you want to see something they have fishing nets and pass the goods to you in your boat!

The long tail speed-boats zoom in and out between paddle boats and pass traditional stilt houses. Its a hive of activity

We stopped for lunch then headed to the Jeath museum and bridge over the river kwai. This would have been so much better with a guide. The museum is pretty run down but a brief bit of info,

During WW II, Japan constructed the meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The line passing through the scenic Three Pagodas Pass runs for 250 miles. Yes 250 miles! This is now known as the Death Railway.

The railway line was meant to transport cargo daily to India, to back up their planned attack on India. The construction was done using POWs and Asian slave laborers in unfavorable conditions. The work started in October 1942 was completed in a year. Due to the difficult terrain, thousands of laborers lost their lives. It is believed that one life was lost for each sleeper laid in the track. And I can well believe it. Imagine lifting such heavy weights in that heat with vertually no food:(

Ah then to our "hotel" Well in its favour it was clean but i was still very glad we took our anti bug sleeping bag liners with us. Have to say i was laughing at the thought of some of you staying there - not mentioning any names, but you know who you are!! We had an hour to kill before our evening meal and spotted a rope bridge so went for a closer look. Oh my lord! You should have seen it. Lisa, there's no way you would have set foot on it. There were more spaces than timber!! But we went anyway. Well, it's supposed to be an adventure! The worst thing though, we spotted this lovely little hotel, very posh too and a couple of our party had already jumped ship to stay there but we stuck it out. Had a drink in the posh one first though. Well I say posh £40 a room per night and I think that included breakfast!

Thursday 14th January

Next morning after breakfast it was bamboo rafting. We got pulled upstream by long tailed boat and paddled back. The water splashing over our feet felt very warm. Had to giggle at some people further down stream who were in a sectioned off area by the posh hotel. This area was for swimming. Like a swimming pool but just into the river. Not sure they realised that the toilets flush into the river!!

A visit to the local waterfall was next. It was very pretty and a great stop for kids. Bit like dunns river falls but on a much, much smaller scale. I got soaked here scampering under the waterfall. Pity it wasn't after the tiger temple - read on for further info on that point!

Then we had our fabulous elephant ride. Seeing this huge, beautiful beast coming up over the hill was truly exciting. It's big tusks gleaming in the sun whilst it chomped on banana leaves (half a tree) whilst walking along. We fed them some bananas first which must have seemed like a tiny morsel, then we climbed up on board. At first we were on the back but then the driver got off and I sat on its neck and rode along. Awesome!!

I was really looking forward to our next adventure. The tiger temple

We were taken by the hand and sat behind these majestic beasts one person at a time. They say they're not drugged but I can only say they're not very lively. Occasionally they flip their tail or yawn or roll over but that's pretty much it but, oh! Holding a tigers head in your lap?? !! An amazing experience! They then lead the tigers out for their walk on you can hold them on a lead like a dog. The guide had just finished telling me to stand clear if the tiger lifted it's tail as it was going to wee. No sooner said than done, tiger wee all down my arm and leg and yes I think a little on my face too!! Who knows, maybe it's good for the complexion! I'll keep you posted on that one. Well you never know who or what you're sitting next to in a restaurant do you? Well that's what I was thinking about the girl sitting next to me,with tiger wee dried on my shirt and shorts - had to laugh. I had washed my hands and face though. Have to say, not too smelly though!

Well it was a busy 2 says so after a nice meal we headed back to what's now a palace! And hot shower as well!

Good to get your comments. They are coming through, thank you. Keep them coming. I'm just sorry I'm not able to post the pictures on. I'll get some more on FB and will try to email some photos to those not on it.

A temple and thai massage tomorrow I think. Hope you enjoy yours Rita and I'll be thinking about you when we pay our £4.00 for an hour