G'day,

Still on Koh Samui

We found this new Buddha that was just being constructed. It isn't on any tourist maps yet but will surpass the Big Buddha when finished for a tourist attraction.

The associated temple is brand new with the ceramics, mosaics and inlaid mirrors pristine and shiny.

The inside is painted with frescoes. This one is on the ceiling with all the walls painted as well.

Hundreds of Long Boats are used as fishing boats and some as tourist's taxis. The mounds of sand at the back have been dredged by hand from the channels allowing all season boat access. We had many lazy days just soaking up the sun and a swim now and again to cool off. We found a nice restaurant down the beach where they set up low benches and tables on the beach. You lay down or sit up and have your meals. Very relaxing and carefree.

Late on the last night Sandy, Melinda and Jules had another Thai massage. At 4.30am the next morning we saw Melinda and Jules off at the airport then we caught a ferry to Koh Pha Ngan where we stayed at Haad Yow on the North West end of the island. The "Full Moon Party" was at the other end of the island on Haad Rin beach but we decided that we enjoyed the quieter life and stayed put leaving others to enjoy the music, alcohol and drugs at the big party.

Sunset from our verandah on Haad Yow beach. Not bad for A$10 a night. The lights on the horizon are from a squid fishing boat. On some nights you could count up to 20 squidding boats.

We hired out a scooter and drove down to the main city of Thongsala for some shopping and a fruit platter that Sandy had found previously in a shop when we first arrived on the island. We travelled north again via small villages and side visits to waterfalls, ending up at Chaloklum Bay, a fishing port. Here we watched a fishing boat being unloaded, all the fish are dumped on the concrete jetty then put in baskets and weighed. Following the coast we made our way back to the resort visiting all the beaches on the way.

In the fresh produce markets they have shredded plastic bags spinning above the chickens, meat or fish trying to keep the flies away. Not a refrigerator in sight but some stalls do have ice delivered to keep the goods cool.

We returned to Kho Samui and the next morning we caught the early flight back to Bangkok. This time we stayed at My House guest house near Khao San Rd. it was quiet and friendly. The next day we caught a 4 day tour to Kanchanaburi 130 kms west of Bangkok. We visited the Allied Prisoners Cemetery, the Jeath War Museum and the famous bridge on the river Kwai.

During World War II the Japanese constructed the Death Railway during which over 16,000 Prisoners Of War and 100,000 Asians died.

This is the rebuilt "Bridge over the river Kwai". I found my way to the roof of the local museum for this shot.

Erywyn Falls National Park had over a course of 2.5 Kms seven waterfalls. We had just enough time to get to the seventh and back to the bus again.

We visited the Tiger Monastery. They have huge plans to look after injured tigers and train cubs to return to the wild. They have been looking after tigers for around 9 years and it appears nothing has been done towards the master plan yet. The tigers are kept in bare concrete cages and for the tourists they have half a dozen drugged tigers that you pay for the handlers to take your photo. It was very depressing to see these magnificent beasts kept this way. Not a place we will return to.

We stayed on this houseboat at the elephant camp. The shower floor was covered in mesh to keep out the water rats. A girl on the next boat came out of her unit to see a snake on the railing in front of her.

The shower and toilet water goes straight into the river and you can watch, thru the floor, the fish feeding!

Every morning the elephants get a bath. The baby, second one from the front, loved submerging completely and appeared to love bath time.

I took Sandy for an elephant ride thru the forest, I don't think she was too happy with me driving and was glad when the handler got back on! Just for fun, the elephant pushed over a large dead tree with a bit of coaxing from all three of us.

This is Hellfire Pass where many POW's lost their lives while building the railway. The Australian Govt has set up a wonderful museum here but our tour itinerary didn't allow us enough time to absorb it all.

After a bamboo raft ride down the river Kwai we had to go across this suspension bridge. Sandy doesn't even like little ones so with my arm firmly around her waist I quick marched her across before she panicked too much. She was relieved to get across safe and sound.

On a train trip back towards Bangkok we travelled over the only remaining section of the POW railway, about 30kms worth. On some of the bridges the train slowed down to a walking pace and the bridges creaked and groaned under the weight. I'm not sure how long they will last before they collapse?

In Bangkok, as in all of Thailand, the elephants are held in high esteem. On the main road are these topiary elephants with all parts included!!!

We spent a day getting the final shopping done at the MBK centre then back to My House at 7pm. The MBK centre has hundreds of small shops and stalls selling everything you want at good prices. The next day we just strolled around the area we were staying in relaxing before the trip back to Aus the next morning.

We are now back in Perth and will be here for a while as I will be updating the cruiser, building a new storage unit on the tray and making a lightweight boat trailer. If anyone knows of a good, cheap 79 series trayback for sale let me know. I have been attending the auctions and hope to find a good one soon.

Peter and Sandy