The Bridge on the River Kwai

After entering the Second World War in December 1941, the Japanese forces quickly overran most South-East Asia. In 1942, in order to have a short and secure line of supply between Burma (now Myanmar) and Siam (now Thailand), they decided to use prisoners of war and civilian labor to build a single line railway: the Burma-Siam railway.  This railway also passed through Kanchanaburi (in Thailand): the Bridge on the River Kwai. The project cost the lives of more than one hundred thousand prisoners of war and civilians,  as a result of sickness, accidents, exhaustion, malnutrition and mistreatment. It all ended in 1944 when the Allied forces bombed the bridge several times, to stop the Japanese invasion.

Podul peste raul Kwai: Dupa ce au intrat in cel de-al II-lea razboi mondial in Dec. 1941, japonezii au invadat rapid Asia de Sud-Est. In 1942, ca sa aiba un transport rapid si sigur intre Burma (acum Myanmar) si Siam (acum Thailanda), au decis sa construiasca – folosing prizonieri de razboi – calea ferata Burma-Siam. Aceasta cale ferata trecea si prin Kanchanaburi, traversand raul Kwai (Podul peste raul Kwai). Constructia acestei cai ferate a costat peste 100 000 de vieti ale prizonierilor de razboi datorita bolilor, accidentelor, epuizarii, malnutritiei si tratamentului barbar. Totul s-a sfarsit in 1944 cand Aliatii au bombardat podul de cateva ori, pentru a opri avansarea invaziei Japoneze.

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

This cemetery was built to commemorate the deaths of more than 5000 British and 1800 Dutch during the construction of Burma Railway. It’s quiet, peaceful and very well taken care of: with nice cut grass and flowers next to the tombstones.

Cimitirul acesta a fost construit pentru a comemora moartea a peste 5000 de britanici si 1800 de olandezi, decedati in timpul constructiei caii ferate de care va spuneam mai sus. Aici e liniste, pace si e foarte ingrijit: iarba tunsa si flori langa pietrele funerare.

The Death Railway Museum and Research Center

This is a great museum which I think you have to visit while in Kanchanaburi, because it presents in chronological order the historical facts and the reasons behind the construction of Railway. The exhibitions display POW’s personal belongings, journals and describe the conditions in which they had to work and live in.

Muzeul Caii Ferate Burma-Siam: e un muzeu foarte bine organizat – prezinta in ordine cronologica istoria si motivul construirii caii ferate, sunt expuse obiecte personale ale prizonierilor de razboi, jurnalele lor, scrisori, si sunt descrise conditiile in care traiau si munceau.

The World War II Museum

Not really worth visiting unless you are bored and don’t know what to do with your time. There is a bunch of things from the war period like cars, weapons, money, but not in a very well organized manner.

Muzeul celui de-al II-lea razboi mondial: nu e musai de vizitat, decat daca esti super plictisit si nu ai altceva de facut. Sunt expuse diverse chestii din timpul razboiului: arme, masini, dar nu intr-o maniera organizata.

After so much learning, time for sightseeing

Like usual, there will be dogs and cats in some of the photos…

Dupa atata istorie, e timpul de hoinarit prin oras. Vor fi catei si pisici in poze…bineinteles.

The slowest transportation ever!

When it’s Very Hot and you’re tired, taking a “vehicle” to drive you around seems like a good idea…but make sure you ask the maximum speed before you make a deal, because you might end up slower than by foot…

Cand e Foarte Cald si esti obosit, un mijloc de transport pare o idee foarte buna…dar inainte sa bati palma cu soferul, ar fi bine sa il intrebi care e viteza maxima, caci s-ar putea sa fie mai incet ca mersul pe jos…

Ayutthaya is located at one and half hours from Bangkok.

For 400 years Ayutthaya was one of the biggest and most important cities in the world, with a blooming commerce and over a million inhabitants. To protect the city, the king surrounded it by brick walls and defense towers. Unfortunately, in 1767  the Burmese army, after many attempted attacks, finally managed to conquer the city and they destroyed the Royal Palace and decapitated thousands of Buddha statues. The population abandoned the city and Ayutthaya remained a pile of ruined temples.

Va vine sa credeti ca timp de 400 de ani Ayutthaya a fost unul din cele mai mari si importante orase din lume, cu un comert infloritor si peste un milion de locuitori? Ca sa protejeze orasul de atacurile Birmanezilor, regele din Ayutthaya a construit ziduri si turnuri de aparare de jur imprejur, dar din pacate, in 1767 armata birmaneza, dupa mai multe atacuri, a reusit sa cucereasca orasul. Palatul regal a fost distrus, la fel si templele, iar miile de statui ale lui Buddha au fost decapitate. Populatia a abandonat orasul iar Ayutthaya a ramas o gramada de ruine si temple distruse. In prezent centrul istoric al orasului Ayutthaya se afla in patrimoniul UNESCO.

Sights in Ayutthaya

The ruined temples in the historical park in Ayutthaya. You can visit by foot (there’s a lot of walking involved!). For the sights that are not in the historical park you can take a tuk-tuk (which can be quite pricey compared to other cities). Many recommend a bike, but to me it didn’t seem like a good idea because the traffic is busy and the weather is too hot and humid for biking.

Most of the temples have an entry fee (50 or 100 Bahts/person – up to 2,5 Euros). The seller at the counter doesn’t give you the ticket unless you ask for it (so I assume the money goes into their pockets). Not all temples worth visiting though.

Ce e de vazut in Ayutthaya? Ruinele templelor din centrul istoric – poti merge pe jos, dar neaparat trebuie incaltaminte comoda, pentru ca e muuuult de mers. Multi recomanda bicicleta, dar mie nu mi s-a parut o idee buna datorita traficului, dar si vremii extrem de calduroasa si umeda. Multe temple sunt cu intrare iar casierul iti da bilet doar daca il ceri in mod special (banuiesc ca banii intra in buzunarele lor). Nu toate templele merita banii (costa pana la 10 lei de persoana ceea ce e destul de mult pentru Tailanda).

Wat Maha That

This temple is famous for having a Buddha head entangled in the roots of a banyan tree. Here you can see many decapitated Buddha statues (The Burmese decapitated the statues when they invaded Ayutthaya, as they believed that Buddha’s spirit was living in them). There is an entry fee and if you go very soon in the morning (before 8) there are almost no visitors.

Acest templu este faimos pentru un cap de Buddha prins intre radacinile unui copac. De asemenea aici se gasesc foarte multe statui decapitate (Birmanezii decapitau statuile lui  crezand ca in ele se afla spiritul lui Buddha). Si aici se plateste intrarea, iar daca ajungi devreme (inainte de 8), aproape ca nu e niciun vizitator.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

This temple is the symbol of Ayutthaya with its three big Stupas (chedis) in a row. It served as a royal temple in old times.

Pe vremuri a fost templu regal si acum e simbolul orasului Ayutthaya (cele trei turnuri aliniate).

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

This temple is the most touristic attraction in Ayutthaya and also my favorite. It’s outside the historical park, so we took a tuk-tuk to get there. It has a big central tower (prang) built in Khmer style (symbolizing Mount Meru) and small stupas around it (the continents).

Acest templu e cea mai mare atractie turistica si favoritul meu. Se afla in afara centrului istoric si am ajuns la el cu un tuk-tuk. Are un turn central in stil Khmer (simbolizeaza muntele Meru) si mici turnulete in jurul sau (simbolizeaza continentele).

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

This temple is a mix of old and new: old ruins with an active monastery next to it. There are many Buddha statues of various sizes around the courtyard and also a big reclining Buddha covered with orange cloth.

Aici gasim un amestec de nou si vechi: o manastire inca activa si ruinele de langa ea. Multe statui ale lui Buddha, de diverse marimi se gasesc imprejurul curtii, printre care si un Buddha culcat.

Wat Ratchaburana

This one is really old, built in 1424. The main prang (tower) is under restoration, covered partially by a green cloth, but you can still see old original carvings on it (Lotus flowers and mythical creatures). It can be easily viewed from outside and in my opinion it’s not worth paying to get in: there was nothing spectacular to see.

E un templu vechi, din 1424. Turnul central se restaureaza si e acoperit partial de o carpa verde, dar se pot inca vedea vechile sculpturi (flori de lotus si creaturi mitice). Din punctul meu de vedere, nu merita intrarea: se poate vedea foarte bine si din afara, iar inauntru nu e nimic spectacular de vazut.

Around the city

We stayed in Ayutthaya 2 nights, which I found too much for this city (many people come for one day trips from Bangkok – which is more than enough to see the essential). I didn’t like Ayutthaya too much: it was quite dirty, the tuk-tuk drivers tried to rip us off (one even lied to us that the temples open only after 9AM, but he will take us to some temples that open sooner. Luckily we didn’t believe him). On top of this, the weather tends to be hot and humid all year round. We started sightseeing at 7 in the morning hoping it would be colder, but it wasn’t; I felt I’m disintegrating and melting all day. One evening there was a local fair (with food, lots of people and noise) and we saw pink elephants and funky looking tuk-tuks.

Am stat 2 nopti in Ayutthaya (adica mult prea mult). Multi vin doar in excursii de o zi din Bangkok (care e la doar o ora distanta), mai mult decat suficient ca sa vezi esentialul. Merita oare sa vizitezi Ayutthaya? Da, poate, dar o zi e suficienta. Personal, mie nu prea mi-a placut: e un oras cam murdarel, soferii de tuk-tuk cauta sa te jecmaneasca, unul chiar ne-a mintit ca templele se deschid dupa ora 9, dar ca ne duce el la alte temple care se deschid mai devreme (din fericire nu i-am crezut minciunile). Si peste toate, vremea tinde sa fie umeda si caniculara tot timpul anului. Am plecat sa vizitam la 7 dimineata, cu speranta ca va fi mai racoare, dar nuuuu, simteam ca ma dezintegrez si ma topesc de caldura.

Intr-una din seri am dat peste un targ local (cu mancare, aglomeratie si galagie), am vazut elefanti roz si tuk-tuk-uri…mai altfel.

This tree had different colored flowers / Copacel cu flori de culori diferite

Don’t miss:

• Touching the starts in Bangkokg
• Island Paradise – Koh Wai
• Island vacation – Koh Chang

Koh Chang, Thailand

“Koh”= Island and “Chang”=Elephant in Thai language. Koh Chang is translated “Elephant island” named like this because of its shape.

If you are looking for a quiet and Not crowded place to spend the most relaxing vacation of your life, Koh Chang might be the place: is not as popular as the Southern destinations (like Phuket, Krabi or Ko Samui), it’s covered in jungle and the beaches are quiet and relaxing.

Insula elefant (numita asa datorita formei sale) e, dupa parerea mea, destinatia perfecta pentru o vacanta de vis: nu e atat de populara si faimoasa (precum Phuket, Krabi sau Ko Samui) si deci nu e aglomerata! E linistita si relaxata.

Transportation

From Bangkok Airport to Koh Chang take a bus to Trat and from there take the ferry to Koh Chang. Once arrived on the island, there are lots of shared Taxis (Songthaew) waiting in the port. We jumped in one of them who dropped us in front of our resort.

Koh Chang is quite big – it takes around 45 minutes by shared Taxi to get from one end to the other- and to get from one beach to another you also need transportation. Taxi driver can ask between 50-200 Baht/person (1-4 Euros) depending on the distance. It’s much cheaper to rent a motorbike: 250 Bahts/day (6 Euros) plus 3000 Bahts deposit if you don’t want to leave your Passport as a guarantee. The gasoline bottles cost another 40 Bahts/liter. (Driving a motorbike on this island is challenging and quite dangerous for an inexperienced person, because of the twisted curves going up and down. Also, remember that in Thailand they drive on the left side of the road!)

There is only one main road that goes around the island, with ups and downs, with curves and twists that can make your adrenaline go high while driving. Here is a video we took on a Taxi ride:

Insula Koh Chang e a doua ca marime in Tailanda si transpotul cu Taxiul de la un cap la altul dureaza mai bine de 45 de minute. Distantele intre plaje sunt mari iar soferul de taxi poate cere intre 50-200 Baht (5-20 lei) in functie de distanta. Mai ieftin e sa inchiriezi un scuter cu 250 Baht/zi (25 lei pe zi) plus 40 Baht (4 Lei) gazolina. Dar e dificil si destul de periculos daca nu esti obisnuti sa mergi pe scuter, pentru ca sunt curbe cu suisuri si coborasuri, iar pe langa asta, in Tailanda se conduce pe partea stanga!

Exista un singur drum principal ce face incojurul insulei, iar cursa cu taxiul e plina de adrenalina datorita curbelor de care va spuneam (taxiul e un fel de remorca deschisa, doar cu acoperis in care nu te simti prea in siguranta, dar cu toate astea e super distractiv). Puteti vedea urmatorul video facut din taxi in drum spre plaja:

There are several beaches in Koh Chang (my favourite was Khong Kloi – see the photos) and there are national parks with a waterfalls in which you can swim (we went to Klong Plu – see photos).

Khong Kloi Beach

Located on the very south of Koh Chang, this beach was nice and cozy, with fine sand. The water is clear blue and is not at all crowded (maybe 20 people on a whole beach). There are little wooden huts where they serve food and cocktails, the chairs are free to sit on and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.

Sunt multe plaje pe insula Koh Chang (preferata mea a fost Khong Kloi – in pozele urmatoare). E liniste, nisipul e fin, iar apa clara si albastra. Sunt casute mici din lemn unde poti manca sau comanda cocktailuri, sezlongurile sunt gratis si atmosfera e deosebit de relaxanta. Erau foarte putine persoane aici, ca si pe restul insulei de alftel.

Fried banans and honey / Banane prajite si miere

Lonely Beach

Apparently this small beach is one of the most known in Thailand, but except for one restaurant where people can meet and become friends, there wasn’t much to see or do there. The food was cheap (80 Baht -2 Euros for Pad Thai) and I also drank an amazingly flavored watermelon cocktail!

“Plaja singuratica” – se pare ca e printre cele mai faimoase in Tailanda, dar sincer nu mi s-a parut extraordinara. E destul de micuta si are un singur restaurant unde poti intra in vorba cu ceilalti turisti si iti poti face noi prieteni. Mancarea este ieftina (Pad Thai a costat 80 Bahts – 8 Lei) si am baut un super gustos shake de pepene rosu.

Pad thai is a traditional Thai dish – noodles with veggies and nuts /Pad Thai e o mancare traditionala tailandeza: taitei cu legume si arahide

Klong Plu Waterfall

It’s a pleasant walk through the jungle to this waterfall. You can swim there and again, it wasn’t crowded, which I loved! I didn’t have the bathing suit so I went in with my clothes on, because the heat was unbearable and I needed to cool down 😀

Ca sa ajungem la Cascada Klong Plu, am mers prin jungla cam 30 de minute. Poti inota acolo, nu era aglomerat – ceea ce mi-a placut, evident. Pentru ca nu am avut costumul de baie si era o caldura insuportabila, ca sa ma racoresc am intrat in apa cu haine cu tot! 😀

Klong Prao Beach

This is another pretty beach with white sand and clear, blue water. There are a few wooden huts directly on the beach in between the palm trees. There were barely a few people here and it was very quiet!

Klong Prao e o alta plaja draguta, cu nisip fin si alb, apa cristalina si albastra. Cateva cabane de lemn sunt construite direct pe plaja intre palmieri. Erau doar cateva persoane pe plaja, intr-o liniste paradisiaca.

More photos from Koh Chang

Cliff top view / Vedere din punctul cel mai inalt al insulei

Don’t miss:

• Koh Wai Island in Thailand!
• Heaven or Hell? The White Temple in Chiang Rai
• Bangkok