Day 6 Galleries and River Jump

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Ethan Shields
5 years ago
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1 Day 6 Galleries and River Jump Brekkie at the resort was a blend of Thai and Western food with percolated black coffee. A short walk from Reception and we attended Weary Dunlop Peace Park complete with large Weary statue in the foreground. Up to the Doctors commemorative memorial and we saw the period locomotive attached to Rice Wagons on the hill. Down to Jack Chalker Gallery where we had a look inside and then around the gardens and other Railway collections including some physiotherapy gear managed by LTCOL Dunlop. Checked out of Home Phu Toey in the heart of the Kwai Noi Jungle and put our baggage in the Van. Down to the resort pier and we boarded a long tail boat where we sat in the middle of the seats to keep the ship sturdy. We visited Lawa Cave and saw Khun Kitty the small cave bats that reside inside. This cave is quite large and has many examples of stalactites and mites; quite humid inside where we worked up a sweat checking out the various chambers. It was more enjoyable walking down the large stone steps than on the way there; a good quadriceps workout; Scott was saying he was drenched in sweat. Through a Mon Village and Charlie pointed out the various trees in the area including the Beetlenut; Mango & Pomelo varieties etc. Back into a Longtail boat for a ride along the Kwai Noi River to the Float House sitting atop the current and secured by ropes to nearby trees. 1

We donned life jackets and did the River Jump; floating downstream to the red flags and out again; walking up the slippery wood-stained floorboards; to Reception where we did it all again.

2 We donned life jackets and did the River Jump; floating downstream to the red flags and out again; walking up the slippery wood-stained floorboards; to Reception where we did it all again. Very refreshing after the sweaty visit to the Lawa Cave - we did the jump four times. The jungle and surrounding mountains reaching towards the sky competing for light was great to watch as you floated in the current downstream. Lunch was next on the agenda; Snapper, Mussaman Soup; Chicken and Vegetables with Jasmine Rice and several Chang beers as we worked up a thirst Scott has two Mai Tai's. A wonderful lunch with magnificent views of the Kwai Noi River beside our table. Our Longtail Boatman had waited three hours for us so we gave him an 80 baht tip; which he was appreciative of. About 20 minutes back on the Long tailboat and we arrived at Pung Waan Resort. This was the site of the former Tarsao POW Camp where 1,000 men lost their lives. We discussed another POW Doctor: Major Alan Hazelton who worked at the camp. At the river we met a local Maintenance Worker who said: - He had been working at this resort since its inception; and had located human bones near the restaurant and parallel to the river. We had a coffee in the lounge; discussed the area, the former hospital and the Major including his letter home back to his wife. Down to NamTok Station and we had a look around; including the small bronze plaque by Ross Bastion. A hot Thai Coffee was had by Charlie, Scott and I which had crunchy coffee bits in it. Over to Sai Yok Noi Waterfall and we visited the period locomotive perched high on the hill. Checked out the bamboo needle trees and had a good gander at the waterfall. Back down Highway 323 and we are back to the Felix in Kanchanaburi. Checked back in and we went for another dip in the pool very refreshing. 2

3 Dinner was Menu B for the clients and a hot seafood dish with chilli for Charlie and I. A big day in the Thai sun; Your Kwai Noi River Jumping Guru; Andrew Day 7 Remembrance Day in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery Brekkie in the Felix as we gathered around and formed up in the Lobby heading to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (KWC) for Remembrance Day Ceremonies. We arrived and sat in the British Foreign Legion's (BFL) Tent with the other officials I had previously arranged this with Steve from the BFL in Bangkok. Found Steve and said G day he is very sweaty from the heat and also from what looks like his organisational duties. I thanked him for our correspondence and for allowing us to sit with the BFL Official group. Also found Terry (Manager) of the Thai Burma Railway Centre (TBRC) and said hello. We participated in the services and Mick was our Proxy to lay the Death Railway Tours wreath on our behalf. 3

He did a great job in front of the Cross of Sacrifice; laid the wreath; stood fast and about faced and marched away. There were many great wreaths presented today and ours was one.

A fellow Australian lady was nearby listening and watching, overcome with tears. Great job today Michael you represented us and yourself with poise and reverence fantastic job for a young Army fella.

4 He did a great job in front of the Cross of Sacrifice; laid the wreath; stood fast and about faced and marched away. There were many great wreaths presented today and ours was one. We did our final commemorative act in the cemetery and Mick read my poem 'The Angels Cried in front of three Known Unto God boys in the Australian section. A fellow Australian lady was nearby listening and watching, overcome with tears. Great job today Michael you represented us and yourself with poise and reverence fantastic job for a young Army fella. Even better I suggested he be promoted straight to 2 nd LT due to the fact that he can read. (Tri service joke there!) Over to the refreshments tent and we polished off a few ice cold Singhas and cokes rubbed shoulders with plenty of local and international leaders (AKA Brass) including the British Ambassador to Bangkok; International Manager of the Commonwealth Graves Commission; 1 st Calvary Australian Colonel and a British WW2 expow. The Colonel even knew who I was he said, "Are you that Air Force guy with the website that does railway tours?" Mick was impressed the old Colonel and I were mates LOL. 4

5 A few photos at the Cross of Sacrifice with the wreaths with a couple of private visits of our clients to special lads and we went and checked out the TBRC next door. A look about and some souvenir purchases and we left saying good bye to the KWC lads. Like the Thai s say: Pop Gun Mai See you again. Andrew 5

6 Day 8 Thai Food Cooking Course Out to River Kwai Road to Ms Ons Thai Vegetarian Isaan Cooking School. We each had three dishes to choose from plus a dessert to cook on our own. I learned to cook the following Thai dishes: a. Penang Curry; b. Phatpong Curry; and c. Thai Noodle Soup. I've been after the Phatpong Curry for some time now and a simple recipe has eluded me; but now I have cooked it and it tastes like the ridgy-didge one that you can find from time to time over here. They tend to have it with crab meat here but Malani and I had it with chicken the few times we enjoyed it. So now the Phatpong Curry will be cooked at home when I get there; very simple recipe I must get some Thai Soya and Oyster Sauce whilst I am over here at Tesco and take it home. Our clients had fun cooking their own meals and we had such varieties including: a. Thai Green Curry; b. Fried rice; c. Mussaman Curry; and d. Banana in coconut milk etc. Miss On was very attentive and offered sound advice on cooking Thai food; she did a great job in preparing the food and her easy to follow recipe sheets are great 'Ms On is never off'. Scott had an ice cold coffee in a bag Mr Sami went and got it on a bike and I had a Thai Coffee. Our last stop in Kanchanaburi was the lookout that had spectacular views over the area; we took many shots including a group selfie and a panoramic pic of the area. Back to the Felix and our clients had the rest of the day off. I walked back over the Bridge and picked up some last minute shopping; tank tops for my boys and a few for myself; I got a tank top with 'Coke written on it in Thai. (THB120 each for XL and THB100 for Medium). A nice cold cola in the heat was required for the walk; I took some pics of the two period locomotives down by the River Kwai Bridge Station and also the truck loco called the Kampong Train by the POWs during the war. 6

Back over the bridge dodging selfie taking tourists and back to the Felix for a relax in the super cold aircon and multiple channel TV. Gave home a call and checked in.

7 Back over the bridge dodging selfie taking tourists and back to the Felix for a relax in the super cold aircon and multiple channel TV. Gave home a call and checked in. Dinner back in the Felix restaurant at 1830 hours our last night up in the River Kwai. The internet here is a bit ordinary so will later try and find a bar where I can upload the blog and FB; will see if good old Mr Sami will give me a lift. Your River Kwai Cook and conversationalist; Andrew Day 9 Non Pladuk & Nakhon Pathom Stupa We checked out of the Felix for the final time and boarded the van bound for Non Pladuk. On arrival we got pics with the Stone of Remembrance that depicts this station as the starting Death Railway Station. We were fortunate enough to have a train pass through so we could get some more train pics. We had another look inside the station office and then walked over to a nearby road. Charlie spoke with a local and discovered the original pad of the former Japanese Sentry Box. He says some locals wanted to remove it but others had reservations in regards to upsetting the spirits; so they left it in tact and built a Spirit House next to it. Charlie said not to walk on it and apologised to the spirits as we left. We found an old lady nearby (courtesy of the same conversation with the local) and she showed us to her house and we checked out some pictures and a bomb fragment possibly some type of incendiary that hadnt exploded properly. She showed us her own Spirit House that she had put together to appease the spirits in the area; on the same spot that was once the Non Pladuk war time cemetery. 7

8 In putting her farmland together many decades ago she advised that whilst digging she located human bones of which she cremated at the time. Ever since she has commemorated the dead on an important Buddhist day annually. Charlie gave her 100baht to assist with the commemorations and for her time. Further into town we found a Willies Jeep and Army Truck sale going on and our clients were keen to check out a few as they are military vehicle enthusiasts. Some nice examples but overpriced. "Wrong Country" thanks Brad. Down to the Stupa perched 120m high at Nakon Pathom we had a good look about and returned to the vehicle where Mr Samai returned us to the Park Plaza fighting the stop start of Friday afternoon peak hour in Bangkok. We had a chat about Sir Albert Coates and the POW hospital that was in the area; also a picture of a CPL that was laying in the hospital in Checked in and changed and we headed back out into the sweatbox of the night. Over to Silom Village to watch the Ramayana Dance Show and we had a couple of beers with dinner. Seating was a little different. (Too much Xylaphone). Lebua State Tower was our next port of call on Silom and we ventured up the elevator to the 64th floor, "Its only a 500m walk Scott". We had the 'Hangovertini' with a sprig of Rosemary for Remembrance - a whopping THB715 was somewhat expensive; but this was the second last item on the itinerary so we did it. It was actually quite nice served chilled in a Cocktail Glass with a fantastic view of the city. We had a few laughs up in the Bangkok Sky Bar and then headed back down. Trying to get a taxi was a pain and when we did he took us on a wild goose chase around and about. Checked out the Tilac Bar our last itinerary note and where Alan fired the Uzi in the movie the Hangover 2. 8

We lost Charlie (The good bastard) and Ms O but found them having a Big Chang on the restuarant on the corner of Soi 18.

Today was a massive day from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok and its been a big couple of weeks in Thailand.

For me some of the highlights was starting the tour - the company has been awhile in the making and getting it going was a highlight.

The longer train ride we do now is also great and really highlights the Death Railway from Wampho to River Kwai Bridge.

9 We lost Charlie (The good bastard) and Ms O but found them having a Big Chang on the restuarant on the corner of Soi 18. We had our final beers and headed back to the Plaza. Said our last goodbyes to Mick, Charlie and the gang and we called it a night. Today was a massive day from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok and its been a big couple of weeks in Thailand. We have certainly covered a lot of ground. For me some of the highlights was starting the tour - the company has been awhile in the making and getting it going was a highlight. I always enjoy the walk from Hellfire Pass to Hintok and I thought the River Jump was magnificent. The longer train ride we do now is also great and really highlights the Death Railway from Wampho to River Kwai Bridge. Thanks for reading this blog and thanks to Charlie for his support (and Mr Samai for driving us around as far up as Sai Yok and being on call as required) and of course to my clients; great group; thanks for your patience and understanding; Thailand can be a melting pot of experiences; the heat and humidity just a couple. Until next time; Your Death Railways Tour Manager: Andrew 9

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The tour departs on 17 th April and returns 28 th April An itinerary with further details of the 2012 tour is attached to this form.

The tour departs on 17 th April and returns 28 th April An itinerary with further details of the 2012 tour is attached to this form. An exciting sponsored opportunity for FESA Emergency Services Cadet Corps and Juniors/Cadets within FESA Volunteer Brigades, Groups & Units The Fire & Emergency Services Authority (FESA) is offering one