. OnHiatus.com > Journal 1 > Day Index > Journal Entry: October 15, 2000

Sunday, October 15, 2000
Kanchanaburi to Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand's FlagBangkok's Flag

Map
Bangkok, Thailand:
Latitude: 13° 46' 12" North
Longitude: 100° 30' 7" East
Altitude: 106 feet
From Seattle: 8558 miles
Lodging: Hotel - Shanti Lodge

Map
Today's Travel:
Country: Thailand
Region: Bangkok
Route: Bus: Kanchanaburi - Bangkok
Path:Kanchanaburi - Bangkok, Thailand
Linear:68 miles
Weather: Overcast / Rain

Available Photos:

Our bungalow Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Our bungalow Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Bridge over the river Kwai Kanchanaburi, Thailand

River taxis Kanchanaburi, Thailand

All photo images © 1997-2000 Anthony Jones - Images may not be used without prior written approval.

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Map
Trip Stats to Date:
Day: 1284
Linear Dist: 244833
Countries Visited: 71
Regions Visited: 270
More stats...
Hotels: 497
Friends / Family: 302
Camping: 130
Hostels: 261
Transit: 80
Other Lodging: 13
Beers: 4307
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Journal Entry:
I finally got to sleep in - it was good. Spent the morning working on my journal, packing, and taking a couple pictures of the lodge. After we checked out we took the luxury of a late, long breakfast.

After breakfast we left the bags at the guest house and walked the two miles down the river to the "Bridge Over the River Kwai". It was a mad house - I could not believe the number of tourist - this must be a stop on the day tours out of Bangkok. We walked across the narrow rail road bridge and looked around the small crafts market on the other side - not too interesting. Back on the other side I wandered around the Kanchanaburi market while Stacy bought clothes. We hired a pedal-trike to take us back to our packs. It was this little old man and I think both Stacy and I were terrorized that we was going to keel over lugging us around - we both felt very guilty.

At the lodge we had a late lunch and then grabbed our packs and headed for the bus station. The sky was getting very dark and threatening rain so we caught a taxi. At the bus station we waited in a huge queue to buy tickets and got on a wonderfully comfortable (relatively) air-conditioned bus just as the skies opened and it started to pour rain. The entire trip back to Bangkok was through a massive electrical storm. In Bangkok we had trouble with explaining to the taxi driver where we wanted to go again. We finally had to just guide him as he couldn't make sense of our map. At the Shanti checked in then I checked email. My parents are due in tomorrow and hadn't left any contact plans, so I called home and made some. I had drinks and dinner with Stacy - the food was great, and the long island ice tea was ok - next time I'll stick to their very good margarita. I called home a second time to talk to Amy. I wanted to let her know that I would be flying in to San Francisco on October fifth. I also tried a couple other calls, but couldn't get through to anyone else.

After another beer it was time for bed - somehow I was exhausted again. I said goodbye to Stacy as she's leaving early tomorrow for Indonesia. Sometime in the middle of the night I woke up and realized that I was having my second bed bug experience. I think I killed them all, but I'm still not quite so happy as I was about the Shanti Lodge - I want my old room back!


Related Sites:
CNN: Current Weather in Bangkok
US State Department Consular Information Sheets: Thailand
CIA - The World Factbook: Thailand

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