Sunday, March 09, 2008

Day 1005 – On The River Kwai, Thailand

Day 1005 – 8th March 2008 +7:00 GMT

Slept very well on the floating raft, during breakfast two elephants were bathing next to the rafts. The hotel feed them all the left over fruit every morning so they come at 7:30am every day. We took several photo as it was the first time I had seen real elephants in the jungle and we were able to feed and stroke them.
Elephants At Breakfast

Elephants At Breakfast
After breakfast Jill and I headed down river by long boat to the Lawa caves.
The Lawa Caves
We walked to the caves from where the boats dropped us off and our guide from the hotel took us around the caves. The first thing he showed us was that the caves which were full of bats which started flying around our heads. We carried on through the cave and looked at all the stalactites and stalagmites. We were allowed to wander anywhere and touch all the displays. The caves were so humid and hot, it was like being in a sauna. So it was nice to come out in to the fresh air.
Bats In The Cave
Jill and I In Lawa Caves

Buddha Statue In Lawa Caves

Wild Banana's Growing

Wild Jack Fruit

Jack Fruit Growing
We then got the long boat back to the hotel and had a few hours to relax before dinner.

The River Kwai Jungle Rafts
The River Kwai Jungle Rafts
Jill Outside Our Room

Our Room
We then we were back on the long boats this time we headed up river for an hour, we felt quite privileged as Jill and I seemed to be the only people who had booked this exact trip so had a guide to ourselves all day. Along the river all the locals were washing their clothes or fishing etc and everyone waved and seemed pleased to see us passing by. We reached the national park after an hour and we walked across this flimsy wooden bridge and then walked to the source of the stream which flows out of the rocks and into the Kwai Noi River. The waterfall we had come to see was a little bit of a let down as it was only about 20 foot or so and I guess we have been spoiled seeing waterfalls of greater magnitude in other countries.
Flimsy Wooden Bridge

Waterfall
Moving House ?

On The River Kwai Noi
We travelled back down the river on the boat which was a really pleasant trip. When we got back to the hotel we decided to do a Elephant ride so we walked into the local Mon Village and one of the locals took us on a 30 minute ride on a 38 year old elephant called Wendy. The guide has to carry a machete as when you are high up on the elephants snakes can easily bite you as they are hanging from the tree’s so we had to keep an eye out.

Elephant

Wendy Our Elephant

The Elephant ride was good fun and we took lots of photos and then headed back to our room for a little nap.
Me On Hammock On Back Porch
We spent the evening chatting to others staying at the hotel and proped up the bar.

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