Continuing on from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

Note: Still having some technical issues, i'm going to have to work on my html skills.
-bk

Fortunately the past few days in Bangkok there have been no more taxi fiascoes like last time. I've been in Bangkok for too many days. Why did I book so many days in Bangkok? Quite honestly, in general, people are only here for one reason. And its not the food (although i still must say its been excellent!).














I finally became bored enough to visit another standard tourist attraction. This time i went to see the Grand Palace which is where the King lives. However, i must say that i'm quite disappointed in that i never really got to walk up to the palace itself, but just walk around it. Overall i think its quite overrated. I did also see a Wat there which was quite nice but really, after you've seen one Wat, they're really all the same. I guess its just something to do when you have nothing better to do.

As for the traffic issue, it is as bad as I thought. It gets backed up everyday. I'm glad I'm not in Bangkok right now. Vancouver traffic is nothing compared to Bangkok. It really does look like this everyday!

The girl in the picture is Xia Lao Shi (Mandy). One of the cool people that I met in my hostel. We ended up touring Bangkok for the next few days together hitting up the night markets, electronics emporium (thanks for the help bargining Mandy!), Kosan Rd (backpacker hangout). I am throughly impressed with the shopping in Bangkok as you can get anything that you want for a decent price. I'm especially excited with my new camera and underwater case. I can't wait to go diving with it.

Anyways, as for Bangkok, its an interesting place for a few days, but after that it gets really old. I think whoever comes here will understand what I mean. The atmosphere of the city for foreigners is not exactly the most family oriented.

Anyways, today I left Bangkok (I will miss you Mandy, keep in touch...) via 1st class bus (A/C'd and a bathroom!). I have come to a small city called Kanchanaburi. I'm here to get out of the city and relax a little by the river side. My guest house has a fantastic view overlooking the river and slightly out of view is a bridge made famous in the movie ''Bridge Over River Kwai"." Its quite a famous bridge from WWII era where many POWs were killed trying to build it for the Japanese Imperial Army. I'm not sure if I'm going to actually go to the bridge, but i will definitely head over to the cemetery and pay my respects.

The reason I've come here is to visit some famous national parks in the surrounding region. They have spectacular waterfalls and pools which i hope to be swimming in and some amazing caves in which i can do some spelunking. I've also never hiked in a jungle before so this will be my first time. Stay posted for pictures.

Here is my new room mate! Quite cute eh?

So is this guy! hahaha... (wasn't able to get a pic of the one that was sharing dinner with me. He was camera shy! Hahah, just kidding Mom...)