Kanchanaburi & The Thai-Burma Railway

[jizzybloke]

I left this to build up a bit, as usual excellent pics and ramblings Mathos!
I can picture you and MrsMathos together ooing and aaring as memories come back with the pictures, thanks again.

[Mathos]

This photograph shows a modern day train using the viaduct and trestle type crossing along the banks of The River Kwai,

The photograph here is one taken along the walking route around the area known as 'Hell Fire Pass'

When the POW's were forced to dig out the cut through the solid rock, they were forced to work day and night to the Japanese yells of "Speedo ,Speedo, Speedo"

At night they burned oil lights to enable the POW's to carry on working. Apparently the red glow and the men working resulted in the pass being named:-

"Hell Fire Pass"

An additional photograph of the modern day train the viaduct and cut along the river.


One more from The Hell Fire Pass area.

[Mathos]

I left this to build up a bit, as usual excellent pics and ramblings Mathos!
I can picture you and MrsMathos together ooing and aaring as memories come back with the pictures, thanks again.

Cheers Jizzy.

Appreciated mate.

[Mathos]

I'd shown you Duenshine Resort, which as you saw was quite nice, decent value for money, the owners and staff do a good job of making sure you are well looked after too.

This next place is The Felix River Kwai Resort.

For some reason or another, this hotel always appears to have a fantastic mix of clientelle from all across the globe.

It's located in a brilliant spot right on the banks of The River Kwai and actually has it's own private walkway to the River Kwai Bridge.

There are two swimming pools, both excellent size and well maintained.

The rooms themselves are extremely nice and boast to give the ultimate in luxury.

They have excellent restaurants, all the food is of an excellent standard and the menu is broad covering even the most basic of requirements to the most extreme.

This year, as we had been doing a great deal of travelling around, I treated Flobo to a suite at the Felix.

I had a good chat with The Manager and struck a good deal, breakfast inclusive for the suite which I will show you below and managed to get what we thought was the really good price of Baht 3000 per night inclusive.



Really nice suite.





Can't get for going tonight, phone hasn't stopped, sister and her hubby called round.

I'll get some more on soon.

[Mathos]

We had two balcony's as well, one leading out from the bedroom, the other from the lounge/living room.

Not that you can do a lot with two balconies, but there they happened to be.




Super suite though.

[Mathos]

It was nice to sit out on the balcony with a cool Singha and look out over the beautiful gardens and remarkable pond.





The frogs could be a little noisy of an evening on occasion, but like anything else, you get used to things like that.

[Mathos]

There we were with this large dining room as well.

I thought I would phone a few members from teak Door and ask them round for evening dinner, but I didn't have your phone numbers, so you missed out.






Life can be a bugger at time can't it.


Not to worry, here's another photograph of the pond and garden area, probably from the other balcony.




The Tiger Rally group passed through whilst we were at the Felix.

I have some photographs, not all I wanted but quite a few.

The Vintage Cars, landed up one evening. They were superb.

I thought, I'd wait until morning to take the photographs in the daylight.

I asked them what time they would be leaving. Oh about nine o'clock they replied.

I'm always up for 7am or so regardless and I went across to the car park about 7.45 am. Half of the pillocks had set off at 6am for whatever reason.

Not a major problem though, I got some photographs.

I'll put them across this weekend.

[Mathos]

The Tiger Rally 2008


February 28 - April 1 2008

The Tiger Rally is a unique and very special adventure through the most exotic lands of South East Asia. A tale of capitals, the Tiger Rally will take you on a journey from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi, the historic capital of Vietnam. In between times you will also go to Bangkok and Vientiane, the mysterious capital of Laos.

Driving from Kuala Lumpur the rally heads for the cool Cameron Highlands where, for centuries, locals and tourists alike have retreated to escape the heat of the lowlands. It was a special favourite of the British in colonial times. Next stop is exotic island of Pangkor Laut, the haunt of the famous and no doubt infamous too. Moving up the coast we stop at the ancient island of Penang where we stay in the Sarki's beautiful Eastern & Oriental Hotel.

The smooth sandy beaches of Trang nad Phuket in Thailand, mixed with the perfect accommodation and hospitality are next on the itinerary, creating a serene and tranquil haven from the hustle and bustle of daily life on the road. Moving north the rally heads for the colourful and vibrant city of Bangkok but not before visiting Tusita and then Kanchanaburi of the Bridge on the River Kwai fame, the setting for David Lean's film of the same name. While we are there we will visit the famed Tiger Temple where, apparently, you can walk with the Tigers – if you dare.


Driving into Cambodia the rally stops at one of the world’s most remarkable heritage sites at Angkor Wat. Take your time to look at the incredible ruins of this beautiful and mysterious temple complex. Phnom Pehn, once infamous but now one of the most peaceful and beautiful cities on the route, follows Angkor Wat.
Driving into Vietnam, the rally first goes to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) before heading to the quite hills and the tranquillity of Da Lat. Of course, Vietnam still bears the scars of the war and some of the locations on the rally will have significant connections to the conflict. Participants will have an opportunity to visit these sites during the course of the rally.


Laos is one of the great unknown countries still to be explored and the Tiger Rally will thread its way through this great and mysterious land. The rally visits the capital city of Vientiane before moving to Luang Prabang, the site of an ancient civilisation of the Mekong. The beauty of the hills will be a great contrast to the sand and sea of the drive up the Vietnam coastal roads. Moving out of Laos via the Plain of Jars, the rally heads for Hanoi where the participants can luxuriate in a well-earned rest before heading for home.


Throughout the event the accommodation will be five-star wherever possible and the participants will find themselves staying in some of the best and most beautiful hotels in the world. Driving is generally a pleasure and the rally aims to avoid unmade or rough roads. The twisting highland roads contrast sharply with the smooth flat lands near the coasts, but both are a pleasure to drive.


Entry Cost

The cost of this extraordinary and amazing adventure is £22,750 for two people in one vehicle and includes shipping of the vehicle, accommodation, maps and route books, a series of events plus a back-up team including doctor and mechanics. The experienced management team, veterans of a number of long distance events, will be on hand throughout to sort out any wrinkles. Early payment of the full amount will also attract a 10% discount.


What you get:

• An amazing event
• Rally recce and admin
• A UK doctor on the event
• We organise shipping and Carnets
• Mechanical back-up all the way
• The best nightly accommodation available and breakfast
• The route on GPS satellite navigation system
• Map book
• Tulip book of route
• Rally plates
• Historic locations
• Luxurious accommodation
• Adventure
• History
• Breathtaking scenery

I had no idea the people in the cars had paid such a fee to be there.

They never said!

Wow.


Tiger Rally Map and Hotels
The route for the 2008 Tiger Rally has now been finalised - see map. Starting in Kuala Lumpur the rally heads north to the Cameron Highlands, which is refreshingly cool after the sticky heat of the lowlands. Once a hill station for the British it is now a popular resort with the Malaysians.
On day two we will take the road to Pangkor Laut, one of the most exclusive resorts in South East Asia. Parking the cars in a guarded compound we will take the ferry to the island and the fantastic hotel complex. From here the rally travels north to the island of Penang, where we will stay at the very beautiful Eastern & Oriental Hotel, owned by the Sarki Brothers.
The first stop in Thailand is at elegant Trang at the Amari Trang Hotel, nestled on an unspoiled section of beach. Phuket can be hectic and overwhelming but we are staying at one of the newer and more exclusive hotels, the Twin Palms on Surin Beach. The rally will temoprarily split into two groups on the way into Bangkok as good hotel accommodation at Chumphon is limited. Half way to Bangkok is the tranquil and soothing Tusita Resort. Then we head for Kanchanaburi, home of the Bridge on the River Kwai and the Tiger Temple. Last stop in Thailand is Bangkok where we have booked the Peninsula Hotel.
In Cambodia our first stop is at Siem Reap where we will be staying at the Grand Hotel D'Ankor, which is conveniently placed for the temple complex. In Phnom Penh we stay at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, a sister hotel of the Grand.
Heading down to Vietnam the rally halts in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for a couple of nights at the Sheraton in the heart of the old town. Da Lat a French hill station is the next stop where we stay at the Da Lat Palace, with views over Da Lat Lake. Next stop is at Nha Trang and the VinPearl Resort. This is followed by two nights at the amazing Nam Hai near Hoi An. A short drive takes us to La Residence at Hue before we head north to Vinh and the Phuong Dong. The following day is a long but satisfying drive through the border into Laos. We stop in the capital, Vientiane, in the Don Chan Palace, which sits by the Mekong River. A tremendous drive then takes us to Luang Prabang, famous for its excellent markets and historic sites.
The road to Hanoi takes the rally to Phon Sa Van, home of the amazing Plain of Jars which did suffer during the Vietnam war, but most are still in original condition. The following day we leave Laos and head for the seaside town of Thanh Hoa and the Van Chai Resort. The finishing line is the Sofitel Metropole in the heart of Hanoi. Filled with classic colonial charm it is the ideal point to finish the event.

The above information was taken from the pages on the site below.

Tiger Rally - Home
The Tiger Rally is a unique and very special adventure through the most exotic lands of South East Asia. A tale of capitals, the Tiger Rally will take you ...
www.tigerrally.co.uk/ - 8k - Cached - Similar pages






I took the above from The Internet just now.


This one of the Rolls Royce was taken outside of The Felix River Kwai Hotel.





I did ask the owner of this superb Rolls Royce, who is sat behind the wheel if it was ok to take the photogrpah and he confirmed it was, as did the others, the pictures of which I will put on over the weekend.

[Mathos]

Flying visit tonight, been busy.

The Roller above, I'm pretty sure is a Corniche.




I thought I had more photographs than I have of the 'Vintage Motors' so I'll fill in with a little ad lib to compensate.

Hope you don't mind.





I've put these other photograph on to give you an idea of the cavalcade of additional bodies there were especially on motorcycles,
plus a few ordinary vehicles carrying spare parts, mechanics and others.
Oh, a photographer I noted as well.

[Mathos]

These were a fantastic car in their day.




These Mercedes 280SL convertibles. There was also a Jaguar XK120 or 150 there, I cannot recall which model, it had gone by the following morning.
That was a specimen. It was worth a fortune.




I remember one being sold in Chorley Motor Auctions back in the late 1960's or very early 71/72 at the latest for £150..00.

How times change.

[Mathos]

How about these for a couple of vintage trucks.





I think these old 'War Horses' are brilliant.






There are still a hell of a lot of them on the roads in Thailand, you see them in Burma, Laos and Cambodia as well.

[Mathos]

Found one more, I feel ignorant though, I cannot put a name to it, (I forgot and I can't read or recognise the front badge) it's a beauty though.


Anybody know for sure, or can you make the name plate out.






I'm going to stop buying specks on Sukhumvit Road at 150 Baht a pair and visit an optician in the UK, it's daft sitting here and not being able to read.


It's a fantastic specimen though all the same.

[Propagator]

Looks like a Bentley open tourer to me

[Mathos]

Looks like a Bentley open tourer to me

I think you are 100% correct Propogator, the insignia badge is that of a Bentley but there is a particular model I was unable to think of.

Didn't Ian Fleming have the world famous character 007 James Bond in one in the early day books?

Thanks again for your input.

[Mathos]

Wat Tham Seu is an outstanding Temple.

It appears to be being totally rebuilt as well.

At the top of the steps there is an amazing Buddha statue of immense proportions.




There is the option of using a cable car to gain access to the top, but to be honest with you, Flobo and myself treat these steps as a form of exercise.

It's somewhat akin to a mini work out in the gym going up steps like this.

I reckon it does us quite a bit of good.

Flobo, does tell me I'm off my rocker at times, but she climbs them with me.





They appear to be spending millions on the
Temple complexes in general in this particular area of Kanchanaburi.




They certainly do not appear to be cutting any corners in the construction,
the vast concrete used the construction of the steps not to mention steelwork on this alone must have cost an arm and a leg.



There are probably three Temples within this immediate area.
One of them I made an assumption of as being Chinese, and the Chinese graveyard in the area, which I have shown earlier on this thread kind of reinforced my assumption.

However, I got talking to a Monk in the same, he spoke outstandingly good English too. He told me it was a Vietnamese Temple.



I would have put money on it being Chinese. Shows you how you can be wrong so easily.


The panoramic views were outstanding.




You can see the amazing irrigation canals they have installed in the area.
The appear to be all over Kanchanaburi, the fields are certainly well and truly producing outstanding levels of crops.



In fact the lushness of the Province is quite well illustrated with this photograph.

[Mathos]

This particular photograph was taken from The Vietnamese Temple.




If you look to the hillside in the distance,
the first Temple you can see in the actual mountainside
is the one with the Dragons Mouth entrance
which I placed on here recently.





I thought this interesting showing the Monk taking a rest on his way up to his quarters.

This photograph of the giant Buddha from a different angle is quite informative as well.


The smaller figures alongside are also interesting.

One of the problems I find in these Temples is a lack of information regarding what the figures actually represent.

[Mathos]

It's quite amazing as well what a vast area there is up on the mountain top.







There is an alternative flight of stairs as well, they lead to a cave in the side of the mountain. I have some photographs of the same which I will place on here soon.




I rang a few of the bells, they make a pleasant sound. It would be far too much if you lived there though, so I didn't over do it.

Some of those Monks must be stone deaf.




The different complexes and variations in architecture and construction make for an extremely interesting place.





I'll leave you with another town shot.

I have quite a bit more to enter up on these Temples.

[dexter]

Quality pics.

[Mathos]

Quality pics.

Thanks very much dex.

Appreciated mate, glad you like 'em.

[Bangyai]

Great thread Mathos. Off to Kan tomorrow with the family. Thanks for some new ideas.

[Mathos]

^ Cheers Bangyai, sorry I have only just seen your post.

Regards and trust you had a good time in Kanchanaburi.

It's an OK type of place.