Feel Gooood Journey

Forewarning: Long Post


So due to a Boy/Girl's Scout event our kids went away for, I had two days off of school. Sweeet. Jenny and I decided we would check out little sleepy scenic town (LP declared it so, is it true?) Sangkhlaburi. We left early Thursday morning, and by early, I mean like dusk. We left early to make sure we would have enough time to get to and in Sangkhla. Surprisingly, it was fast and easy enough to get there via rinky bus (U-Thong to Kanchan) and van (Kanchan to Sangkhla). And as we got on the van, we were warned by some friends that the ride was a little sketch. Ehhh… it's like most rides in BKK. But just incase, you can't never say never, Jenny took dramamine, and I had a plastic bag and some chinese nausea pills (courtesy my cousin CC). Phew…nothing happened. The roads were like HWY 17 back home with a couple more curves but even more beautiful views.

When we arrived in Sangkhla, we got to the wonderful P Guest House. Cute place that overlooked a huge lake. So was LP right? It was an unbelievable town, but sleep? maybe a little. Everything was so laid-back. It was a great place to just be. That day I learned that canoeing is nothing like kayaking, and I know now I prefer kayaking. So story? Jenny and I decided to rent a canoe to explore the lake.  Wow that was exhausting, and more of a workout than I anticipated, but no pain no adventure. (We definitely were in pain that night, advil necessary). We got to pass tons of floating houses which many locals live on. They are supported on bamboo rafts. Super slick. We saw the "underwater temple" as well.  However, when we got there, it hardly was what we thought, and we were confused (normal of course). It appeared like the ruins of an ancient temple, but the "underwater" aspect was missing. We weren't sure it was the place until we saw a brochure. Sigh..again…darn you low water levels.  After such a workout, as a pat on the back to ourselves, we went for some deeeelicious shakes at the guest house. Coconut milk FTW. :) I wandered some more on my own as a way to unwind, and I met this real great lady. She volunteers at a little shop next door, helping to sell some handmade crafts and clothes for one of the many orphanages. We just chatted it up, and I bought some cute hand-made cards.

The next day we decided to go check out the Three Pagoda Pass, which essentially is a monument and is the Thai/Burma border. So how does one get to such a place? Motorbike? Too far. Tour? Too pricey. Song-teaw? Yup. Although our driver definitely was pushing the limits. Jenny and I swear our driver was playing "how many people can you fit in a song-teaw”.  I think we counted at least 21, including a kid riding on top of the car. hahaha. Thai style…although I might be ethnically wrong. I'm pretty sure since we were  heading to and bordering Burma, most of the individuals were Burmese and Karen, although an elder couple, and a mom/daughter duo were def. Thai. When we got to the Three Pagoda Pass, we took some pictures; then walked over towards the Burma border. I personally was hoping to get a one day pass into Burma, but the office was closed. Pooop. However….. we saw tons of people nonchalantly walking back and forth over the border. There was no one real guard stopping to check passports or anything. There were no visible signs saying turn around. [Note: Don't try this kids.] Jenny and I strolled into Burma. Slowly of course. But just as we got three steps in, I felt a stare. I turned my head back and…..a finger is wagging at us. On the side, a young man wagged his finger at us and pointed us to head back the other way. I can just hear the whisper of "stupid silly farangs." Close but I guess Jenny and I were meant to stay in Thailand a little longer.

View from our hostel

"Underwater" Temple

"longest" wooden bridge, the Saphan Mon bridge - we weren't that adventurous to cross it.

3 Pagoda Pass

After having a relaxing time in Sangkhlaburi, entering Kanchanaburi was a whole other world. Buses, cars, yells of "Where you go?" permeated the air. Almost forgot we were in Thailand for a little. Anyway, that night we met up with other OEGers ie. Liz, Chelsea, Jenna, Bradley, and Allie. We relaxed and caught up from all our travels or lack of at our hostel, the Jolly Frog (highly recommend it). We stayed in not just to see how each other were doing, but because we had this idea of catching an early bus to start our mini trek at the Erawan falls.  Of course, when you're thinking something, others are likely as well. We got onto a packed bus. fun…..  All 7 of us ended up having to stand on an old school rinky bus for almost an hour and a half . When we arrived to the waterfalls, we decided we would power up all 7 tiers, and slowly make our time on the way down to swim, frolic, etc… Each tier was just beautiful. Where other places have been affected by the low water levels, Erawan not so much.

After three hours of hiking and swimming (surprisingly I wasn't sore from that but from the bus ride), two other girls and I decided to head out to enjoy a full Thai massage. This was way different from the massage on Ko Samet's beach. This was LOVE!!!! They hit the right muscles that needed work, got me to stretch (don't think dirty thoughts), and made me miss my chiropractor back home slightly less. Miracle. As we finished, sat down, and drank some water to rehydrate, while slowly beginning to pay, we commented on the adorable baby some of the ladders were playing with outside. Sad story in 3, 2, 1: "The man (obviously a farang) on a moped with cute baby strapped to his chest is good man. He take care of baby. His mom is Thai. But she died two months ago in a car (hand gestures to explain this) accident."

Besides that, the rest of the time in Kanchan was fun. Delicious food, great company, fun atmosphere (10 baht shot) and a local bar to hang out in along with some funny security guards who were friendly as my friend and I decided to hang out by the hammocks at the hostel in the middle of the night. The next day, no unwanted headache, although as usual I didn't sleep much, I woke up, walked around aimlessly, read a cheesy Danielle Steel novel to just not think, and eventually said good-bye to everyone.


Note: the Three Pagoda Pass - one day into Burma pass has been closed apparently since 2006. whoops.