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A Serendipitous Escape to Kanchanaburi: A Travelogue

As the year drew to a close, my partner and I found ourselves yearning for a getaway. The festive season, however, promised throngs of people and bustling crowds, making the prospect of finding a tranquil escape seem daunting. Yet, serendipitously, our search led us to Kanchanaburi, a destination chosen simply for its allure.

This travelogue chronicles our exhilarating adventure, offering a glimpse into the hidden gems and captivating experiences that await those who venture beyond the well-trodden paths. Let this account serve as a guide for those seeking an escape from the ordinary, an invitation to immerse yourselves in the magic of Kanchanaburi.

Embarking on Our Journey:

Our journey commenced with a train ride, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the tracks setting the pace for our adventure. The verdant landscapes that unfolded before us, a tapestry of lush forests and rolling hills, hinted at the tranquility that awaited us.

Unveiling Hidden Treasures:

Kanchanaburi unveiled its treasures one by one. We marveled at the architectural grandeur of the Bridge over the River Kwai, a poignant reminder of the region's historical significance. The serene beauty of Erawan National Park captivated us, its cascading waterfalls and emerald pools offering a refreshing respite from the urban clamor.

Beyond the Tourist Trail:

Venturing beyond the tourist trail, we stumbled upon hidden gems. A local market bustled with vibrant colors and exotic aromas, offering a glimpse into the authentic culture of the region. A chance encounter with a local artisan led us to a hidden workshop, where we witnessed the intricate craftsmanship of traditional silk weaving.

A Culinary Adventure:

Our taste buds were tantalized by the culinary delights of Kanchanaburi. We savored the fiery flavors of local dishes, each bite a testament to the region's rich culinary heritage. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, enjoyed at a quaint roadside café, lingered in our memories long after we departed.

A Journey of Transformation:

Our journey to Kanchanaburi was more than just a vacation; it was a transformative experience. We returned rejuvenated, our spirits lifted by the beauty of nature and the warmth of human connection. This travelogue is an invitation to embark on your own adventure, to discover the hidden treasures that lie beyond the familiar. Let Kanchanaburi be your escape, a place where you can reconnect with yourself and the world around you.

After agreeing with my partner to visit Kanchanaburi, we searched for accommodation online and booked it through Traveloka. Once the payment was completed, we sat down to plan our itinerary. My partner, who is an experienced long-distance motorcycle rider, took charge of planning the entire trip. Due to my limited experience, I readily handed over this responsibility. As we both reside in Korat, the journey was quite long. Judging from the map, Kanchanaburi has many interesting attractions. Our primary destinations were Erawan Waterfall, our accommodation "Naka Kiri Resort", the Sangkhla Buri Mon Bridge, and on the way back, we planned to stop at Ban Bang Rajan. We also set secondary goals in case we had time, as Kanchanaburi offers numerous attractions along the way. Our plan was set. Now, don't be surprised when I tell you that... we traveled on our small Spark 135 motorcycle from Korat to Sangkhla Buri. Therefore, planning and checking the condition of the vehicle before departure was crucial.



To minimize weight on ourselves and the vehicle, we packed as lightly as possible, eliminating unnecessary belongings. However, the load remained substantial, particularly...

The journey began at 4:00 AM on December 30, 2017, departing from our home in Korat. We followed the Mittraphap Road, making stops at designated rest areas in Pak Chong and Saraburi. Breakfast was enjoyed at a McDonald's near Pathum Thani before continuing our journey to Kanchanaburi. Despite heavy traffic exiting Bangkok, our progress was smooth due to traveling in the opposite direction. Approaching the outskirts of Pathum Thani, we encountered moderate traffic. By noon, we had reached the city center of Kanchanaburi, greeted by pleasant weather. My partner's attentiveness and safe driving throughout the trip were greatly appreciated. This marked our first long-distance motorcycle trip outside our province, and the excitement was palpable.

We finally arrived in Kanchanaburi city. At 12:30, we reached our first stop: Tiger Cave Temple (where are the tigers, though?). This was the first point on our itinerary where we planned to make a quick stop. Here's what we looked like, rocking a cool and intense vibe. Haha! The weather was scorching, with the sun burning our skin. But since we were already there, we decided to take a look and see what the temple had to offer.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a large turtle with its shell covered in barnacles. Its age was estimated to be considerable, possibly dating back to the World War era.

Upon arrival, we encountered the path leading up to Tiger Cave Temple. The ascent involved a 300-meter climb, not an extensive distance, yet it left us breathless. Three pathways offered access; we opted for the middle route, embracing the concept of moderation.

For those who are elderly or have difficulty climbing, there is no need to worry, as the site offers cart services to assist those who are unable to walk up the hill.

A prominent landmark that attracts visitors to take photos is the large Buddha statue located within the Tiger Cave Temple.

Let's take a picture before we continue our journey.

Our second stop was the Giant Palmyra Palm, estimated to be over a hundred years old. This impressive tree is located near Wat Tham Sua, as we drove towards Kanchanaburi city.

The trunk is so large that the camera cannot capture it all. This image is a panorama that we stitched together. At first glance, it looks like the mother tree in the city of elves.

Our selfie looks like a vintage movie poster. 55

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After spending some time under the giant tree, it was time to continue our journey. We drove a short distance from the tree and came across a military horse farm. We were very excited because we had never seen so many horses together. It was like a beautiful painting of a herd of horses that we often see on beautiful walls.


Lost in the allure of the horses, we lingered for an excruciatingly long time, much to the chagrin of my partner. Nearly half an hour passed before we finally tore ourselves away. Alas, the consequences of our indulgence would soon catch up with us.

And this is our horse, the Dark Panther, a Spark135 motorcycle that has carried us two on a long journey of almost four hundred kilometers to reach this place.

Karma has caught up with us. It's already 3 pm, and our original plan to visit Erawan Waterfall before checking into our accommodation has fallen apart. My partner warned that if we stopped at the waterfall, we wouldn't reach our destination until late at night. Driving on dark roads wouldn't be safe, so we decided to skip Erawan Waterfall for now and visit it on our way back. Let's keep moving.

The sun was setting soon, and the car's chain was making a loud noise. It seemed that the weight of the luggage was a bit too much, causing the chain to sag. My boyfriend stopped the car, adjusted the chain, oiled it, and then we continued driving. Both sides of the road were now full of forests and mountains. My phone battery was about to die, and I couldn't see the GPS. My boyfriend started to get quiet and focused on driving. Oh no, I'm definitely going to have to eat monkey food on the way. But, in the end, we arrived at the accommodation just in time before the sun set. Yay! Our driver is amazing! The entrance to the resort was quite overgrown and deserted, a bit spooky. But once we got inside, the atmosphere was warm, a stark contrast to the entrance. When we arrived, we checked into the accommodation. We had a bit of a problem with the hotel reception. The resort wanted to charge an additional event fee during the New Year's activity period. But we insisted on refusing because they didn't inform us beforehand. However, the hotel understood and there was no problem. We checked into the accommodation and took a bath. There is also a hot spring onsen from the hot stone spring that is connected to the resort. All the tiredness from the journey disappeared after soaking in the onsen. On the first night at Nakakiri, we slept like the dead because we were exhausted from the journey.

Our room was a floating house. The scenery behind it was beautiful, with the Mae Klong Noi River flowing by. The water was clear and cool, and we could see fish swimming around. It was a sight we had never seen before. It was truly worth the price. We slept soundly, but there was a bit of a spooky incident. My boyfriend heard a sound like someone or something splashing water at the pier all night. Hehe, I heard it too. I asked him, and he said it was probably the sound of fish. This morning, we woke up at five o'clock. Waking up early has its advantages, as we always get to see something new before everyone else. The fog was very thick, and the air was cool and comfortable, but strangely, it wasn't that cold. The atmosphere was just like the pictures. It was amazing.

The natural mahseer fish are swimming under the raft. I really want to go swimming, but I have to be careful because the Kwae Noi River is flowing very strongly. If I jump in randomly, I will definitely be swept away by the river.

This place has a spacious swimming pool for swimming and the morning atmosphere is truly amazing.

The breakfast at our resort was delicious and filling. We both ate to our hearts' content, especially me, haha! Now that we're full, it's time to hit the road. Today's destination is Sangkhla Buri.

We set off at 9:00 am with our trusty vehicle, our luggage significantly lighter as we had already left our main bags at our raft accommodation. The road continued to be flanked by mountains, and we witnessed the morning routines of the locals. The gentle morning light, the breeze against our faces and skin, and the company of our loved ones made for a truly meaningful experience. This was something we wouldn't have experienced if we had been traveling by car. The road to Sangkhla Buri district became increasingly winding and climbed higher into the mountains. The drive was exhilarating, but we had to be extra cautious. Remember to check your fuel levels, as gas stations are scarce in the forest.

Within 30 minutes, we entered the Vachiralongkorn Dam area, where we observed the lives of floating house dwellers and hill tribe people residing along the dam's edge.

Our car began to ascend the increasingly steep mountain.

Scenic views from both sides of the road.

We finally arrived at Sangkhla Buri district! Yay! My butt was about to give out. There is a gas station in the district to refuel. At this point, we started to see the unique clothing of the local villagers.

This photo shows a fan secretly taking a picture of a female 7-Eleven employee wearing an unusual outfit. The fan was reportedly reprimanded for their actions.

Our destination is right there! Yay! We're almost at the Mon Bridge in Sangkhla Buri.

Let's move on to part 2.

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