Once inside my humble abode, here in the last town before Bangkok, I thought I had discovered the worlds biggest towel - I couldn't comprehend how one person could use it. Then I thought, double bed perhaps its supposed to be for two. Only a little later when I lay down for a snooze it dawned on me, this was not a towel for drying purposes! Oh how silly of me! This was my bed sheet, otherwise known as a dovet! I have had some strange items in place of a sheet; in Hanoi I had a fully woven heavy duty rug; but could have been a carpet! I should have adopted to these oddities by now - surley?!

I visited the "Thailand - Burma Raliway Centre" to find out the truth and history behind the River Kwai and the events around the WWII period. I found it very interesting, and was quiet surprised by the number of British that were killed during the time as I was previously not that aware. I then moved over the street to look at the War Graves, maticiliously maintained and presented.

It was dinner time before I knew it.... My usual strict rule is "don't eat in places where there are pictures of food" Sam and I faithfully adheer to this rule when travelling Europe. Here I find I surely disregard it here - I find the more pictures the better! They draw me in and inspire every meal decision!

Had an amazing Sweet and Sour Dish for dinner, not like the usual flurocent orange meal we get in England, it was amazing!! Loved it... proper local place.. think I will be returning tomorrow night.

The number of lady boys lurking on street corners or flying around side-sadle on the back of motorbikes is increasing... A clear sign I am very near Bangkok!

The dogs out here are strange; with unapparent pet status or ownership the lounge around, stifled by the heat, in the middle of roads & pavements, on tables and in all inconvient places you can imagine - occassionally humping the dog from around the corner after night fall. I haphadzardly dodge around all features - rabies and general dog fear well embedded!

What never ceises to amaze me is the amount of fat Thai people! In Vietnam and Cambodia you would be lucky to spot anyone with a few spare inches or rolls! Here, you have fatties rolling all over the place! Perhaps it is the tasty food; but I think I prefered Vietnamese and Cambodian food over Thai. I think it represents the new wealth that perhpas tourism has helped bring. A good sign of wealth... fattness!! haha

My final day here in Kanchanaburi I ventured off to Erawan National Park.... and what a perfect conclusion to phase 2, travelling solo.

The Seven Steps Waterfalls are famous in the Lonely Planet and highly reccomended. I thought I couldn't miss out on such a place.... and the idea of bathing all day was certinally appealing!

I walked up to the 5th Waterfall, wipped off my shots and dove in! Well I say dove, more carefully walked! haha On the way back down to the 3rd Waterfall, which had a huge plunge pool I was adament I was getting in... proper swim....I gingerally edged my way towards the water, little fish began nibbling my toes which sent my shreeks and squeels into the air. (I am well aware that I paid for those nibbles in Vietnam!).

The warden told me the best way to get in and volunteered to throw me in! There were so many of the nibbling fish and some massive ones too! I couldn't do it! Couldn't get in! I walked back down to the 1st pool... as I knew that was easy access and the most beautiful by far.

It was a pleaseure ambling up and down from the waterfalls, withou pressure from a trecking group or a nimble trek leader who simply bounced from stone to ston! I felt inlightened, alive and invigarated!

After a good swim and sit in the smaller waterfalls I hedded back to the bus for a 2 hour ride back to the hostel. A few spring rolls as a started, I checked in with Lucy before she left for her flight, and then Dinner.

Lucy is here tomorrow night and Sam the next! So excited its hard to hold it in! eeeee!