Thailand by born2travel.it

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21.12.2011 Bangkok (THAILAND)

Returning to Bangkok meant for us a return to the comforts of the Westernised world… I was thinking about this while eating my McCheeseburger Deluxe after getting off the Sky Train and taking a little stroll along Silom Road.

By boat, heading for Pier 13, we approach the famous Khao San Road; all the travellers we met along our route had talked about it so much that they made us quite curious! Let's go and see! Shortly afterwards we find ourselves in a kind of Thai Carnaby Street, a veritable tourism factory. A street crammed with advertising signs all in English advertising: "massage, free wi fi, travel agency, laundry service…", in short everything a backpacker needs. A shame that the hippie spirit that gave life to this old street is by now only a distant memory.

22.12.2011 Bangkok (THAILAND)

If the aftermath of the flood seems to have already been erased in the capital, the same can't be said of the outskirts. Indeed in Ayutthaya some buildings, or even the city's landmark monument, clearly show the water level marks. Ayutthaya is the old capital of Thailand; it was interesting to wander through its characteristic little streets and its archaeological sites. Stunning is the stone face of Buddha inside a large tree trunk, giving you the impression of being in a place outside time.

We spend the evening out and about in "our" area, among skewers of every kind, ping pong shows, little markets and insects for sale… this is our Bangkok!

23.12.2011 Kanchanaburi (THAILAND)

In two hours by minivan we reach the town where we'll celebrate Christmas, and I must admit that this "Sugar Cane Guest House" really seems to be the right place. We have a beautiful bungalow all in wood, immersed in greenery, a few steps from the "Bridge over the River Kwai". In this oasis of peace where, after 7 pm, they advise you to "whisper", we start to take stock of the situation a bit and to organise what comes after Vietnam, that is, the last part of the trip, the one that back in Italy we had deliberately left to chance, so as to plan it "along the way".

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we're going for a swim at Erawan National Park.

24.12.2011 Kanchanaburi (THAILAND)

[Stefy]: "Today is 24 December! How strange to be here at 30°.

Erawan National Park. We did a short trek to reach the 7th level, a crossing of little bridges, stone steps, lianas, green pools of water, waterfalls, trunks serving as bridges. After reaching the top we decide to go back down to the base to dive into the freezing water full of fish that nipped our feet. In the afternoon we climb aboard the old steam train, skirting immense fields of millet up to the legendary bridge over the River Kwai. It's quite an experience to cross it and think of how many human lives were sacrificed for its construction.

Now we're at dinner in our little restaurant with bamboo tables; this year we'll skip the big Christmas Eve dinner and make do with a plate of noodles. To celebrate, after dinner we'll also eat some tempting biscuits bought at 7-Eleven instead of panettone!"

25.12.2011 Ratchaburi (THAILAND)

Ratchaburi, a town famous for its "floating market". It's characteristic to see how, in a place flooded with water, people manage to be resourceful and organise themselves. All of life takes place on the classic canoes. You buy, sell and eat on the little boats!

Tomorrow a rather tough day awaits us: we should head back down to Bangkok and then find a means of transport to Sukhothai.

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