Kanchanaburi, Thailand - February 2020

  We're pleased with Thai Smile-Airlines on our domestic flights: Bangkok - Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai - Bangkok. The airlines provided excellent service and of course, with a "smile", like its country known as "the Land of the Smiles".  

Our hotel for the last two nights in Bangkok was near the Suvarnabhumi Airport where we will catch our flight home to the US. The evening back to Bangkok from Chiang Mai, we stopped by the night market near the hotel for some local street foods. 

Variety of snack food at the night market

To wrap up our Thailand trip, we saved our last full day to visit Kanchanaburi Province where the bridge over the River Kwai and the "Death Railway" made famous by the movie " The Bridge Over River Kwai". 

We made it to the Tha Makham Park in Maka District just in time to buy ticket for the popular train ride on the Kra Sae Bridge, commonly known as Death Railway over the river Kwai.

Arriving at the train station

A popular landmark 

Tham Kra Sae Restaurant

Beautiful temple by the river Kwai

The colorful column from the temple.

We enjoyed the beautiful view and scenery from the train. The train ride on the "Death railways" crossed fertile farming fields, rolling hills, and mountain ranges.

 

View from the train 

Resorts by the river

Train snaking over the wooden bridge

We got off at Tham Kra Sae station. From there, a short walk taking us to an observation area to view the bridge, train track and to explore a small cave which was across from the observation area. 

Bougainvillea leading to the Tham kra Sae station

   

Tham Kra Sae observation area

Train track over the river Kwai

A small cave

A temple in the cave

We visited the Death Railway museum before leaving the Tha Makham Park.  

 Death Railway Museum

Overlooking the Kra Sea Bridge and the river Kwai from Death Railway museum.

We took some time to walk the railroad track crossing Kra Sae bridge, a historic railway, overlooking the river Kwai.

On the railroad track, an amazing part of the Death Railway

Over the river Kwai

On the Tham Kra Sae Bridge

Over the river Kwai, the statue of Kuan Yin in the background

Our next stop was to Sai Yok National Park located in Kanchanaburi Province to visit its famous Sai Yok waterfalls. Some parts of the movie "The Deer Hunter" was filmed in Sai Yok National Park in 1978.

Sai Yok Waterfalls

Sai Yok Waterfalls

The last stop in Kanchanaburi Province was the World War II POW cemetery. It's a very impressive cemetery as it contains over 6,900 remains of Allied prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the Death Railway nearby. 

Also known as Don Rak War Cemetery

The cemetery plague

The graves are set up in straight lines, nice and neat and beautifully maintained

A limestone monument in the form of a cross in the center of the cemetery.

It was the end of our 2020 Southeast Asia trip. We came home the day before Valentine's Day. Our month long trip from Thailand, Kua Lumpur, Indonesia and back to Thailand was much enjoyable.  It was the only trip we took before Covid pandemic locked down the world.

In hindsight, it was the best decision we made by not booking the Princess cruise from Singapore after we left Thailand. We dodged the "Covid" bullet this time. It would have been a nightmare if we were stranded on a floating ship!. Thankfully, we made it home safe and Covid free! - Look forward to our next adventure! 

Chiang Mai, Thailand - February 2020

Chiang Mai is often regarded as the Northern Capital of Thailand. It's only about four hours south of Chiang Rai by bus. February is a good month to be in Chiang Mai as the city held its annual Flower Festival when the beautiful tropical flowers in the area in full bloom. We were glad to be there the weekend of Flower Festival 2020.

All decked up for the Flower Fest

Flowers from the festival-view from Nong Haad Buak Park inside the Old City wall.

Flowers Festival

Old fort on the south-east corner of the Old Town

 

Chiang Mai is also famous for weekend markets. These markets attract as many locals as tourists. The night bazaar, especially the popular Sunday night walking market offers variety of local foods and many tourist souvenirs.

Crab cake stall at night market

Wat Phan On beautifully lit up in the middle of the night market

Our hotel, the Roseate located on a main boulevard across from the moat and walking distance to The Phae Gate, the Old City as well as The Suan Dok Gate (West Gate) 

View of the city wall across the street from our hotel. 

View of a temple behind the moat. 

The moat across the street from the hotel

The moat lit up at night

Flower festival lights by the old city wall at Suan Dok gate

Old city wall at West Gate

The old fort wall - West Gate (Suan Dok Gate)

Chiang Mai has a large concentration of ancient and majestic temples. From our hotel, it's any easy walk to the old city where we can visit many temples, art galleries, gift shops and a central market.

Wat Chang Yun

Wat Chang Yun

Wat Chang Yun

Wat Phan On - day time 

Wat Phan Thao

Wat Phan Tao - (bamboo) garden

Wat Phan Tao's pond - Buddha image sitting under a Bodhi tree.

Wat Phan Tao - Ceremonial stupa in the background with lots of orange prayer flags.

Wat Chedi Luang located next to Wat Phan Tao

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang 

Other popular temples within walking distance from our hotel and central market.

Entrance to Wat Phra Singh

Wat Phra Singh

Many golden elephant statues in Wat Phra Singh compound

Wat Phra Singh - Golden stupas

Wat Phra Singh - sanctuary with wax model of meditating monks

Wat Chang Mun

Wat Chang Mun

Wat Chang Mun

Wat Chang Mun - Sitting Buddha

Wat Chang Mun - Sleeping and Standing Buddhas

Wat Doi Kham - a short distance from our hotel

Three Kings Monument - Located in the center of the city where palaces used to stand.

We went to a highly recommended restaurant in the old city for Khao Soi lunch. Khao Soi is a famous Chiang Mai traditional meal. It's spicy (from curry) but quite tasty. We're glad to know this local favorite dish.

Khao Soi, Chiang Mai's most popular local dish

We had three wonderful days in Chiang Mai. And could use at least one more full day to explore the hilltops around Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep. But our time in Thailand has come to a close. We will fly back to Bangkok the next day to get ready for our trip home.