Let me tell you a story about a bridge.

After an incredible week in Chiang Mai I headed off to Chiang Rai to see the White Temple. I hadn’t been to Chiang Rai before and that Temple was the main attraction but having got there and spent some time in the town it seemed like a decent place and I wish I’d had a few more days to explore it. We was lucky enough to get Rian, a Tuk Tuk driver, to drive us about all day and wait for us at the temple. He also loved the tunes playing out loud on my speaker, which has been a god send on this trip, fits everywhere. This was also where I finally departed with Tiffany and Stephen. It’s been such a laugh over the past weeks or so and I’m glad they’ve even started teaching other people to play Euchre! Safe travels you pair of Canadian gimps.

I jumped on a flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, it was so easy and cheap, it was definitely the right choice. What wasn’t the right choice was leaving my gym kit (including my multi-purpose shorts) in the hostel. Got to Bangkok and was almost in tears when I found out. Gutted! I’m sure I’ll get by with my old trusty Thanet Wanderers rugby shorts.

Before heading south I’ve had a few days in Bangkok and I went to see the last few sights that I didn’t visit before. This was due to the Khao San Road hangovers and sleeping in!

Firstly I took the train out to Kanchanaburi where you can visit the Bridge on the River Kwai and ride the death road. The train leaves Thonburi station in Bangkok every morning at 0750 and costs 100baht each way. Don’t make the mistake I did and get off early though, as there’s not another train until the afternoon! This unfortunately meant I missed the death railway as I got off at the River Kwai station. The bridge itself is pretty tame but the museum down the road is worth a look. The main reason for the visit is how significant a piece of war history that railroad is. It was about 34° and humid when I visited, I can’t even begin to imagine what hell it must have been for the prisoners of war and basically slaves that built it for the Axis powers.

Next up was Wat Arun. I had chosen my hostel within walking distance to both the railroad and this temple so I was able to get up and get there before the visitors started pouring in. The temple is probably one of my favourites, the towering structure is incredible and it’s probably one of the cheapest visits at only 50baht. It opens at 0800 and I couldn’t recommend going early enough. I passed there in the afternoon and it was packed!

That’s enough of mountains and cities, time to get some sand in between my toes. I’ve missed the sea side as usual.

Chiang Rai and Christmas goodbyes

The Bridge on the River Kwai

Wat Arun