Greetings, dear readers of README.ME. This marks the commencement of our inaugural travelogue. As the title suggests, our maiden voyage takes us to the captivating province of Kanchanaburi. Let the adventure begin!

For this trip, we went for 3 days and 2 nights from December 29th to 31st, 2017. Before we went, we shared 1,500 baht each with another friend, which means we had a total budget of 3,000 baht for the trip (excluding accommodation costs).

DAY 1: Bangkok - Baan Kokkod

Our journey began with a trip to Mo Chit 2 bus station. Our plan was to depart at 8:00 AM, but we didn't wake up until 7:30 AM. This time, we opted for a van, and we were able to secure a 9:30 AM slot. After several naps, we arrived at Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal around noon.

(Please remind the ticket seller that we will be getting off at Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal.)

Upon arrival, we immediately rushed to find a vehicle to connect us to Ban Kokkod. We needed to board a small bus, which we affectionately called "Waan Yen."

The sign read "Kanchanaburi - Erawan." We asked the bus conductor what time the bus would leave, and she said 1 p.m. It was then 12:30 p.m., so we quickly bought tickets, stored our luggage, and rushed to find lunch. (It was easy to find food there because it was a market.)

After nearly an hour's drive, we arrived at the Poeng Pad intersection. We need to get off here and transfer to another vehicle to get to our destination. (It is recommended that you inform the driver in advance that you will be getting off at the Poeng Pad intersection to avoid missing your stop.) You can call your accommodation and they will arrange for a pick-up from the Poeng Pad intersection.

And here we are, at the long-awaited Baan Kokod.

** **

This is the true definition of slow life, my dear. We booked a room with a "dam view" for 1,500 baht.

This is the way to our room...

This is a view of the room from the edge of the dam...

This is our room, the Sun Embrace Room.

View from the room

Oh! We want to let you know that this is a shared bathroom, but it's safe and very clean. We've already packed our things and are getting ready to go out and take some photos. We recommend going around 4 pm when the light is beautiful.

Explore the surrounding area on foot.

As dusk settled, we eagerly grabbed our life jackets and paddles, as the resort offered a delightful opportunity to enjoy a leisurely paddle on the water.

The sun began to set and our stomachs started to rumble. We had pre-ordered dinner when we booked our accommodation. We ordered a KHANTOK set for 450 baht. We could either wait for it to be delivered to our room or pick it up at the restaurant (but we had to inform the staff before 6 pm).

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Driven by intense hunger, we could no longer resist the temptation to devour our meal without first capturing its essence in a photograph. Following our hearty dinner, we transformed our room's cushions into a makeshift bed, allowing us to gaze upon the stars from the comfort of our doorstep.

Day 1 Expenses Summary

- Taxi fare to Mo Chit 2 = 60 baht.

- Minivan from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi costs 120 baht per person.

- Lunch + Snacks 84+190 Baht.

• The bus fare from Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal to Yaek Pong Pat is 40 baht per person.

DAY 2: Ban Kokkod - Sangkhla Buri

We planned to wake up to watch the sunrise, but… we woke up again at almost seven o'clock. But it's still time to watch. The morning air is comfortable. If anyone wants to go boating, the weather is good. But we chose to… eat (breakfast is available here). It's a breakfast set for each person, and there's rice porridge, coffee, and Ovaltine (you can refill as much as you want).

After breakfast, we relaxed for a while and then showered and got dressed to head to our next destination: Sangkhla Buri. We waited for the bus at the Pong Pat intersection to take us back to the bus terminal, where we would catch a van or bus to Sangkhla Buri. We arrived at the Kanchanaburi bus terminal around noon and rushed to the van queue, only to find it was full. If we waited, we would have to wait until two in the afternoon, so we decided to find another way. Fortunately, we made it just in time for the bus to Sangkhla Buri, which was leaving at noon. We paid full price but ended up standing for almost half the journey (it was a holiday weekend).

After a nearly 5-hour journey, we arrived at Sangkhlaburi Bus Terminal. But then, what should we do next? Well, let's check Google Maps. We booked accommodation in advance, which is Coffee Berry, for 1,300 baht.

This is our room. It's a luggage room with an open bathroom and super strong wifi.

Breakfast is not included here, but you will receive two coupons that you can exchange for water instead of money. After showering and getting dressed, we walked to the U Bein Bridge, also known as the Maing Thauk Bridge (approximately 300 meters from our accommodation).

We absolutely adore this place, especially at night when it's even more stunning.

We crossed the river to the Mon side, where there was a night market with a dazzling array of food, clothing, and souvenirs.

We crossed back to the original side to take a motorcycle taxi to the walking street (the walking street here is open every Saturday, and we happened to be there on a Saturday ><). As we walked around, we were caught by a shop where people were sitting in a circle picking up skewers of pork from a pot. That was

Yes! It's Burmese dipping pork. There are both meat, offal, and skin, 2 baht per skewer. I enjoyed it so much that I didn't realize I had already eaten 40 skewers.

After that, I walked back to my accommodation because I was really full. I had to walk to digest my food.

Day 2 Expenses Summary

• The bus fare from Wan Yen Intersection to Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal is 40 baht per person.

- Bus fare from Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal to Sangkhla Buri is 130 baht per person.

• The motorbike taxi fare is 20 baht per person.

• Lunch and snacks 190 baht.

• Souvenir price 70 baht.

DAY 3: Sangkhla Buri - Bangkok

It's morning and I'm still in bed. Oh no! I meant to wake up early this morning to offer food to the monks.

We chose to offer alms for 99 baht per set to three Mon monks. Here, if you buy an alms set, they will also provide a free service to change your clothes into Mon attire.

On the way to the Mon Bridge...

The morning air is pleasant, slightly chilly with dense fog. However, the crowd is even denser than the fog!

For breakfast, we relied on a restaurant on the Mon side.

Here is our breakfast. We highly recommend the Khao Soi Hung Lay, a must-try dish that is truly delicious.

After lunch, we went back to shower and change, and returned to the Mon Bridge. This time, our goal was to take a boat to see the underwater temple. The boat was a private charter, costing 500 baht per boat, with a capacity of 6 people. (We waited until there were 5-6 people so that we could share the cost of the boat.)

First: Underwater Church, Wat Wang Wiwekaram

When we arrived, the tide was high. We asked the boatman how low the water would get. He replied that between March and April, the water would recede to the point where we could walk.

Second: Old Somdetch Temple

To reach this temple, you must climb. Flowers, incense, and candles are available for purchase at the bottom, but not at the top.

Third: Karen Temple (When we went, the water level was so high that the church was completely submerged).

After that, we took a boat back to walk on the Mon Bridge again.

And don't forget to apply Thanaka paste like a Mon girl before returning.

Before checking out, we used our coupon to order iced tea from our accommodation. It was truly delightful.

We boarded a van at the van terminal in the market. We left at noon and arrived at Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal around 4 pm. We then visited the Bridge over the River Kwai (but it was too crowded to take pictures). Afterwards, we took a van back at 6 pm and arrived at the bus terminal at 9:40 pm.

Day 3 Expenses Summary

- Morning alms offering + merit making 99+30 baht.

• Boat fee 120 baht.

- Motorcycle taxi fare is 20 baht per person.

• Lunch + Snacks 155 Baht.

- The bus fare from Sangkhla to Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal is 175 baht per person.

- The fare for a van from Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal to Mo Chit is 120 baht per person.

The total cost of the trip is 2,869 baht per person.

Photos: iPhone 7+ and Samsung S8+

-- Thank you everyone for reading our first experience sharing. --