Let's go to Kanchanaburi! It's easy to get there and everyone is going.
3-Day, 2-Night Trip on a Budget of 1,500 Baht
The final year of university is the most liberating period in life. You can go wherever you want and do whatever you want. After you start working, you may have more money, but you will likely have less time and a different perspective on travel. Therefore, when you want to travel, just go for it.
Note: This review is my first attempt at writing. My inspiration was to keep a record as a memory.
[ DAY 1 ] 27.11.59
Starting from "Thon Buri Railway Station" or "Bangkok Noi Railway Station", which offers free train services every day, we chose to take the morning train departing at 7:50 AM. Upon arrival at the station, we presented our ID cards to exchange for free tickets and then waited to board the train.
This trip is all about relaxation, taking things slow, and enjoying the journey. The train ride is a perfect way to soak in the stunning natural scenery. As we sit back, enjoying the fresh air and breathtaking views, our minds drift away into a state of pure tranquility. Our first stop is the "Tham Kra Sae Railway Station," a four-hour train ride that feels much shorter thanks to the captivating sights along the way.
The Death Railway: A Historic Landmark
Our journey brought us to Tham Krasae Station, a poignant reminder of World War II and the infamous Death Railway. This station served as a crucial point on the railway line, constructed under brutal conditions during the war.
Tham Krasae offers breathtaking views and a rich historical context, attracting visitors eager to explore its significance. The surrounding area boasts an array of resorts, floating houses, and thrilling adventure activities, making it a captivating destination.
"Tham Kra Sae Railway Station"
This wooden bridge is quite thrilling, so be careful where you step. After walking and taking pictures of the surroundings for a while, we waited for the return train, which was scheduled to arrive around 13:26, to take us back to the city and our accommodation.
The train is back!
The scenery along the train tracks is truly breathtaking.
Upon arriving in Kanchanaburi city, we disembarked at the Bridge over the River Kwai station. We then took a motorcycle taxi (locally known as "rot maeng") to Singapore Road, where our accommodation for the night, "Buri Homestay," was located.
We stayed at Buri Homestay for the second time. We were impressed by the service of the aunt and the comfort of feeling like being at home. Importantly, this place has free food for service.
While the exterior may not be impressive, we came here based on positive reviews. The owner is currently constructing a new building, which is expected to be completed around the middle of next year. If I visit Kanchanaburi again, I will definitely use their services.
"Buri Homestay"
In addition, there is a bicycle rental service here, 50 baht per day. It's great. The aunt will recommend places to visit and arrange for a chartered car. After talking and paying the key deposit, we went upstairs to store our belongings and rest. In the evening, we will ride our bikes to the "Allied War Cemetery" as our next destination.
The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the lush greenery. The air was cool and refreshing, a welcome respite from the midday heat. We cycled from our accommodation to the Allied War Cemetery, a somber reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II. As we wandered through the rows of headstones, we couldn't help but reflect on the young lives lost in the conflict. It was a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of peace. The cemetery was a place of tranquility, where the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. We spent several hours there, lost in contemplation, before cycling back to find something to eat before returning to our accommodation.
Allied War Cemetery
I have checked in. >///<
On the way back to our accommodation, we passed many restaurants. However, since my friend wanted to eat a pork hotpot buffet, we ended up having dinner at a buffet that cost 159 baht per person, excluding drinks. We were supposed to be on a budget, but we ended up eating like kings! 5555 Let's just say that my friend's happiness is my happiness. After dinner, we cycled back to our accommodation, showered, and went to bed to prepare for our next day's adventure. Good dream ^^
[ DAY 2 ] November 28, 1959
Good morning. Today, our next destination is the "Bridge over the River Kwai". After waking up, we completed our tasks and then went downstairs for breakfast. This morning, our aunt made us ham and cheese sandwiches. It was a menu that allowed us to choose what we wanted to eat. There were salmon and tuna options, which were said to be delicious.
In addition, there are a wide variety of cakes, fruits, snacks, and other desserts available for your enjoyment. The accommodation is excellent, the service is good, and the food is delicious. How could you not be impressed and hooked? After finishing our meal, we cycled to the bridge over the River Kwai.
"Our breakfast^^"
It's nice to come on a weekday like this, there aren't many people (or are there! haha). Plus, the weather is good today, the sun isn't too strong. Kanchanaburi is about to hold a Red Cross Fair, so there are preparations around the bridge, which makes the view not so beautiful. But that's enough for me, not a big deal.
"The Bridge on the River Kwai"
The sky and the view are beautiful. We couldn't resist taking pictures of ourselves to get new profile pictures. 555 >//<
Just at one spot, we got hundreds of photos, each one unique. We stayed at the bridge until the train from Thon Buri arrived. Yesterday, we experienced riding the train across the bridge. Today, standing and watching the train cross is a different experience altogether.
After that, we returned to our accommodation to prepare for check-out and headed to "Baan Kok Kod Kan".
After packing my belongings, I was ready to travel to Baan Kokkod. I returned the room key and said goodbye to the landlady. She asked where I was going next. When she learned I was heading to Baan Kokkod, she suggested I call the "Kanchanaburi-Erawan Waterfall" bus line to find out the next departure time. This way, I could walk to the bus stop near the entrance of the alley and avoid taking a taxi to the bus station. Thank you very much! After making the call, I waited for a while and the bus arrived. It departed from the bus station at 11:50 AM and arrived 10 minutes later. The bus was blue, and according to online reviews, it's called the "Sweet Evening Bus." When I boarded the bus, I told the driver that I wanted to get off at "Poeng Pad Junction." He asked if I was going to Baan Kokkod, and I confirmed, asking him to let me know when we arrived.
"Kanchanaburi-Erawan National Park Bus"
After about an hour's drive, we arrived at the Poeng Pad intersection. The driver stopped for us, and we thanked him. Then we called the Kok Kord house to pick us up. A few minutes later, the Kok Kord car arrived to pick us up. We got in the car and went. Let's go.
As we drove through the entrance, our hearts raced with excitement. The scenery was breathtaking, with mountains and rivers lining the path. We had finally arrived at "Baan Kok Kod." Before checking into our accommodation, we waited for the 1:30 p.m. check-in time. The house we had booked was "Baan View Kheu," which offered stunning views of the reservoir.
"Home sweet home <3"
Upon receiving the key, we proceeded to our accommodation, traversing a pathway constructed of bamboo. After storing our belongings, we ventured out to capture the ambiance of the surroundings.
"Zone View Dam...Behind the 4th house, Baan Kod Fah"
What a wonderful thing >///<
Gazing out, the scene before me is a breathtaking view of a water reservoir. The backdrop of mountains, surrounded by reeds, and the clear blue sky create an idyllic atmosphere. It's safe to say, the experience is pure bliss. >/// <
In addition to the pleasant atmosphere, Baan Kokkod offers a variety of photogenic spots, including a reading corner, hammocks, a riverside pavilion, and boat rentals. Guests can choose activities that suit their preferences.
This place is perfect for those who love peace, nature, and a slow-paced life. Here, you can let time slip by without rushing, stress, or overthinking. Sometimes, all we need is happiness and a moment to pause. However, it's up to each individual to find and appreciate these things in their own way.
Pavilion by the river, a point for paddling and enjoying the view...
There are so many great photo spots... that angle is good, this angle is beautiful ^^
I experimented with a manual lens, painstakingly rotating the focus ring to achieve the desired shallow depth of field. However, the result was blurry, even my own face was out of focus. My friend, on the other hand, had a blast taking selfies.
The weather is getting cooler, so we decided to go kayaking. However, we found that all the paddles were gone. We arrived late, so that's what happens. 555 No worries, we'll just take some photos instead.
As dusk settled, the chirping of crickets filled the air. The sky darkened, and stars began to twinkle. What a beautiful life! Surrounded by nature, I felt immense joy. At Baan Kokkod, they offer a traditional "khantoke" dinner set for 400 baht. However, we opted for ordering food from outside, which was more economical. We ended up ordering fried fish with fish sauce, which cost us 200 baht. After a satisfying meal, our eyelids grew heavy, and we were ready for bed. Since our accommodation didn't have an ensuite bathroom, we used the shared bathroom, which was surprisingly clean and well-maintained. We then retired for the night, enjoying the early bedtime that comes with being away from the city.
[ DAY 3 ] 29.11.59
Good morning.
🌅 Grab your camera and capture the first light of a new day. If only every morning could start like this, I would want to freeze time right here.
The warm morning sunlight gives me the energy to start a new day. I can stop and think, let my life go with the flow, and be ready to move forward. This trip was really worth it ^^
For breakfast, guests can choose between rice porridge and a Western-style breakfast. After breakfast, there is time to relax and take photos before packing up and preparing to leave.
The dog is basking in the morning sun, getting its daily dose of vitamin D.
...The sunlight glinted off the water, sparkling brightly...It's time to go. Check-out is at 11:00 AM, but the shuttle leaves at 10:00 AM, so we need to be ready beforehand. If you're taking the minivan, the driver will drop you off at the intersection. Goodbye, Baan Kokkod. We'll be back again!
We could have continued our trip to Erawan Waterfall or Tweechai Elephant Camp, but we decided against it as we were already satisfied. We returned to the city center to catch the 2:45 PM train. Upon boarding the train, we informed the conductor to stop at the train station and proceeded to walk inside. We arrived almost four hours early, unsure of what to do, but unwilling to go anywhere else. Time flew by as we sat and waited. The train arrived, and we were on our way back to Bangkok.
Bye for now, I'll be back.
Three-day, two-night trip completed. #Research and finals
"Small joys found while traveling. Every journey often becomes a cherished memory..."
Estimated Expenses
Accommodation and Transportation Costs
Accommodation:
- Baan Kokkod (Baan View Khon Dam Zone): 1300 Baht
- Bure Homestay: 800 Baht
Transportation:
- Roundtrip Sweet Van: 160 Baht
- Motorcycle Taxi: 50 Baht
- Bicycle: 100 Baht
Food:
- BBQ Buffet: 388 Baht
- Dinner at Baan Kokkod: 200 Baht
Other:
- Free Train
Total Cost:
2998 Baht / 2 = 1499 Baht per person
Pichika.P
Friday, October 4, 2024 3:02 PM