We organised a day trip to take us to the main attractions in and around the town. Starting with the beautiful seven tiered Erawan Falls we wallowed in clear pools, our dead skin being effectively nibbled of by not so small fish, and luckily left before the crowds swarmed in. Next stop was the infamous Death Railway, which needless to say caused a little dabbing of the eyes. The horrendous atrocities brought upon the allied POWs and many others by the Japanese in an attempt to connect Thailand and Burma by rail during which more tha 100,000 lives were lost. Although the 415km line was completed in an astonishing 16 months, the Allies destroyed the bridge 1945. After visiting the museum and learning a basic set of facts each, we were equiped for a brief disscusion on the subject for the short train journey along the railway to. We also visited an area in which the POWs had to dig 20ft through rock bare handed in order to connect a part of the railway and the Hellfire Pass Memorial as well as the cave which posed as a makeshift hospital for the prisoners which still has a very eerie sense about it.
Although our tour ended there, we also wanted to visit and pay our respects to te fallen soldiers at the Allied War Cemetery where the tears again were being fought back. The combination of graves saying 'an Allied Soldier, Known Unto God' and the personal messages on the named graves together made an emotional but unforgettable experience.
On a slightly lighter note, Kanchanaburi did also have other things on offer to brighten the emotional drained tourists! The night maket offered everything - clothes and food to knuckle dusters and pets - which proved entertaining as Lara tried to haggle the price of a hamster. The streets by day were laden with stalls selling fresh fruits and street food and by night little bars came alive with bright lights and live music.
Why this lovely town isn't a top recommendation by the Lonely Planet remains a mystery to me!
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