I spent a few days in Bangkok on my way from India to Hong Kong. This
is a view of part of the temple and royal palace complex near the river
running through the city.
This is the gold-covered Reclining Buddha - at 46 metres long, the second
largest Buddha in Thailand.
This is a smaller temple within the complex with a more typical seated Buddha.
The Tuk Tuks in Bangkok are very similar to the Rickshaws in India, but
with a few subtle differences. Firstly, the Tuk Tuks have much more
powerful engines - it is not uncommon for Tuk Tuk drivers to show off
by doing wheelies down the Khaosan Road. Secondly, they are much more
brightly painted, and often feature neon lights and other individual
customisations - a bit like Ford Escorts in Britain, really!
For backpackers, the Khaosan Road is where it all happens. There are
numerous hostels, hotels, shops and restaurants, many showing the latest
films on screens while you eat. You can just walk down the road, decide
what film you want to see from the signs outside, then select your
meal place for the evening. Its warm all night, and drinking at the tables
which spread out into the road goes on until all hours.
A day trip to Kanchanaburi is a must-do, even if only visiting Thailand
for a few days. Kanchanaburi's principal claim to fame is the Bridge
Over the River Kwai.
You can walk across the bridge, provided you make sure that no train
is due for a while!
The trains run north-west up what is left of the railway line built
by Allied prisoners of war through to Burma (now Myanmar) in World War II.
We joined the train at the next station and travelled as far as Namrok.
The views from the train show the harsh environment and give some idea
what the conditions must have been like, especially along the trestle bridge
running along the mountain-side against an almost sheer rock face.
