Kanchanaburi by Train #3

Our train journey continues...

Our train, continuing west, passed by some beautiful Thai countryside....

Rice fields...

We arrived at the most famous station on this route, Kanchanaburi, where many foreign passengers got off.

Station sign post:

However, what most don't know, is that if you stay ON the train and continue to the next station, you can actually travel via train over the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. Which is exactly what we did. ^_^

If you continue the journey all the way to the final station, Namtok, you'll follow the river and enjoy  unspoiled scenery...

View 1:

View 2:

After arriving at Namtok 5 hours later, we caught a truck to our resort:

Check in again tomorrow to see the resort, which is not mentioned in any guide books. We stayed in a very unique room!

***Special Tip: For the best views, be sure to sit on the LEFT SIDE of the train when traveling to Kanchanaburi/ Namtok from Bangkok. The left offers views of the River Kwai. ^_^

Kanchanaburi by Train #2

Our journey continues...


As our train left quite early in the morning and would take almost 5 hours, I picked up some snacks from the large market, directly in front of Thonburi Station. In Thai, we call these "kanom", which means "sweets or snacks". My parents really enjoyed munching on these while viewing the scenery passing by...

Kanom A: Alphabet cookies!

Close up: 

I wanted to spell "cutenekko" but my legs are too short!

Kanom B: Coconut drops with palm sugar filling. Very good, but so sweet!

Close up:

Kanom C:  Crispy bread with sugar and black sesame.

Close up:

While traveling, we passed by the "Salaya Express", which is a commuter train between Salaya (home to Mahidol University) and Bangkok:

 Further into the trip, I noticed our train stopped at a place I had been to before, Nakhon Pathom. 

Station:

The train left the station as the station master rose the green flag. It was pretty neat. 

Please check again tomorrow to see more photos and videos from Kanchanaburi, Thailand. 
Mahidol University is the top music university in Thailand. They have symphonic concerts almost every week. I highly recommend visiting! Site HERE. Nakhon Pathom is home to the largest Chedi in Thailand. I wrote about this province in these old posts: Part 6 / Part 5 / Part 4 / Part 3 / Part 2. Enjoy.

Kanchanaburi by Train #1

With two consecutive days free, my parents and I went to explore one of Thailand's most famous areas -- Kanchanaburi. Instead of taking the bus, or mini-van as most do, I asked if they would like to try the trip via local train? My parents, although older, were up to the challenge!

We started our day at Thonburi station, also known as Bangkok Noi Station. This is the station for the trains to Kachanaburi. While waiting for our train, I took numerous photos of the station:

Platform:

Timetable board:

Ticket window (In Thai, it reads: jam naai dtua = "jam naai" - sell, or be sold; "dtua" - ticket):

View from the station looking out:

More views from the station (lots of stray dogs):

At 07:50, we boarded our train for the long journey. Due to my love for rail travel, I took photos of the inside:

Our 3rd class carriage (no air conditioning -- just windows! ^_^)

As the train pulled out of the station, I thought: our adventure starts! Please be sure to check back again for more photos and stories of this trip.

Travel to Kanchanaburi by train is quite easy and cheap. Trains leave daily from Thonburi Station at 07:50 and 13:55. Price is 100 Baht ($3/ ¥300) per person. 3rd class carriages only. Travel time: 3 ~ 5 hours. Access to Thonburi station: BTS to Saphan Taksin, walk to the pier and change to river boat, getting off at "Tha Rot Fai" (Thonburi Railway Pier). From there walk west for 10 ~ 15 minutes. For more information, visit THIS SITE. Train timetables and stations/ stops are listed HERE. 

Jim Thompson House

I took my parents to see one of Thailand's most famous farangs -- Jim Thompson -- an American who, after the war, called Thailand his home. He is most famous for reproducing silk. His traditional teak house is currently open to the public.
Entrance gate: 

The complex has a garden, an art gallery, a restaurant and of course, several souvenir shops. The admission ticket includes a guided tour, which showcases the numerous art objects Mr. Thompson collected throughout his lifetime.

Garden views: 

We were not allowed to take photos inside the house, so I can only share photos from the garden area. My father said he really enjoyed this tour as he loves art and traditional architecture.

Jim Thompson House is located down a soi near BTS National Stadium. Follow the signs. It's an easy 5 minute walk. Entrance fee is 100 B ($3/ 300 yen) per person. Guided tours are available in English, Japanese and other languages. The silk products available for sale are quite expensive -- bring your credit card!! Site HERE.

Vertigo

I wanted to treat my parents to something special ...to show off the city that I've called "home" for the past two years. Bangkok has some amazing eateries, but I wanted something really unique. I made reservations for Banyan Tree's "Vertigo". 

Entrance to the first of 3 staircases!

What makes this place so special? It's al fresco -- meaning diners enjoy the outdoor open air -- and it's on the 61st floor. ^_^

Entrance lobby lamp (60th Floor):

View from the 60th Floor:

We arrived before sunset, so we could enjoy both the day and night views.

Tables with a view! 

Sunset...

The bartender:

More views..showcasing the Chao Phraya river:

We were taken to our table, which was right on the edge of the veranda. From our table, the view was unbelievable!

Our table ware:

View from our table: 

Candle and flower: 

My drink -- mint mojito (no alcohol):

My dad took a picture... it was a bit windy..but I really like this photo...

We were treated to an appetizer, tararind bean sherbet, bread and our main dish.

Sherbet:

My main dish -- snow fish:

Of course I ordered dessert! I selected an American classic-- a chocolate brownie with vanilla bean ice cream. 

Yum:

This was a great experience. Highly recommended! 

Vertigo is located in Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel. Closest station is MRT Lumpini, but take a taxi -- it's a long walk. Prices from 600 baht++. Website HERE. Reservations are necessary. Dress code in effect. 

Girl's Night Out #4 or...Khun Somchai's Angels

Somchai's Angels and I got together for a Thursday night, all-girls dinner. We girls love hanging out and swapping funny stories. Our theme for this evening was "Arabian"...we enjoyed Lebanese food. ^_^

We ordered...

2 platters of various things: hummus, chicken, beef, lamb, naan, & pita bread. Everything was super yummy!



One friend I hadn't seen since June last year. I was happy to catch up with her news and we discussed some mutual friends.

The angels: P and M....


...and GG:


We really liked the hummus and so, ordered another (our third!). I got yelled at and told to "hurry up!" while taking this photo....(laugh)

Do not mess with hungry angels. They are serious about food. 
Seriously. (laugh)

We teased one friend, who didn't know about my job. M said:

"Cutenneko works on Skype...stripping off her clothes, 

doing sexy dances and catering to the Japanese male fetish market!" 

While that is NOT my job, we did talk about the strange fetishes some people have and how some geeks are now marrying their "virtual girlfriends". We came up with two new business ideas:

• "rental girlfriend" -- for our lonely/gay guy friends, who need a girl to take home to mom, so she'll stop harassing him with: "Why don't you have a girlfriend?!?!" 

• Skype virtual girlfriend. We'd cater to those fetishes! Guys could pay us to put on lotion, wear costumes, or talk in cute voices...all on Skype. (laugh) 

What do my readers think? Sounds good? ^_^

We were supposed to go dancing, but none of us felt like it, so I suggested going to a cafe.
I got a hot chocolate! Yum! ^_^

At the cafe, the discussion got VERY interesting. We talked about our dating experiences. I was the luckiest angel in the group -- I've had a lot of very positive experiences. I can't repeat the details here, but we all agreed:
it's more fun dating someone who is positive about life and likes to have fun. ^_^

That's me...and my angels..always having fun. Khun Somchai! What's the angels next mission? ^_^

The Lebanese restaurant is top secret. We cannot reveal the location of our Bangkok Angels meeting points. Sorry. Those who wish to know will have to pass strenuous physical testing, such as being able to walk in high heels and the ability to change topics in less than 10 seconds. Haha!

Scoozi Italian

Scoozi is the name of a pizzeria shop highly recommended in the Lonely Planet guide. I was invited by a fellow Canuck to go and try this restaurant. It was pretty good!

The shop itself is housed in (what looks like) a traditional, Victorian style home. See pics!

Inside: 

Outside! 

The restaurant's red checked tablecloths reminded me of the Disney film "Lady and the Tramp". I wanted to order meatballs and push them with my nose...maybe next time. I did tell my Canadian friend the shop also had a very "Godfather" kind of vibe. I bet there's a hidden menu of "horse meat". I will ask next time for my readers. (laugh)

I was so hungry, I forgot to take photos of the main dishes....I did manage to remember in time for dessert. I ordered...

...a fancy chocolate coffee. The bottom layer was all melted chocolate...yum!

..and gelato.

Flavor was "Ferraro Roche". 

Scoozi is not a cheap place, but the food and atmosphere were very nice. The LP guide was right.^_^

Scoozi is a 10 minute walk from BTS Chong Nonsi (Silom line). Pasta, pizza, and other Italian dishes available. They have a wood burning pizza oven!! Prices from 160 baht per dish. (¥400 / $4). Shop's site is HERE.