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Thailand 2020
  • We are Living the Dream

Thailand 2020

This trip is about relaxing and visiting the Northern Part of Thailand. Read more
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  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    One of the main buildings
    Inside the lower level.Ornate wall screensGardens surrounding the buildingsOne of many of the artworksDemonstration of silk making

    Jim Thompson Museum

    March 12, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    This morning after breakfast we took a cab to Jim Thompson Museum.

    Jim Thompson was an American architect who ended up in Thailand shortly after the end of World War II. He founded the Thai Silk Company, a business that soon prospered and employed thousands of workers producing hand woven silk items.
    Jim Thompson revived the Thai silk industry.

    On display around the house are items used in the production of silk as well as boards with information about the process of silk worm harvesting, spinning and weaving.

    The Museum is the former house of American Jim Thompson. Jim bought six houses in Bangkok and Ayutthaya in the traditional Thai architecture teak wood and were built on high poles to protect the houses form flooding. They were dismantled and taken to this location in Bangkok, Jim had chosen and rebuild there. The buildings do not have nails so the buildings were easy to dismantle and rebuild at their new location.

    In 1959 the houses were completed and Jim moved in.

    The house t is surrounded by a well kept tropical garden and on display in the houses is a collection of mostly South East Asian art brought together by Jim Thompson.

     The house is now managed by the James H.W. Thompson Foundation which aims to preserve the house and its art collection.

    Jim Thompson had an appreciation for Asian art and after moving into his house he started an art collection. He often strolled around the markets in Bangkok where he would buy art pieces at often very low prices, since there was not much demand for them back then. Soon he had acquired a sizeable art collection of mostly Asian Buddhist art, now on display in the various buildings. There are Buddha images from various periods in Thai history like Dvaravati, Khmer, Lopburi and Ayutthaya as well as paintings, porcelain items and old photos. Among the most treasured items are several very old Buddha images, including a 13th century sandstone image. The oldest images date back to the 7th or 8th century, the Dvaravati Mon period.

    In 1967 while on holiday in Malaysia Jim Thompson disappeared without a trace taking a walk in the jungle. To this day it remains a mystery what happened to him.

    No photo's inside which was a shame the art work and porcelain was really lovely.

    We then took the train back to the Hotel.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Let the High Tea commence
    A selection of the High Tea food

    Neon Night Market Bangkok

    March 12, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    After our adventure to Jim Thompson Museum we went for a swim. More reading and puzzles. Holiday's are so exhausting, he he.

    Now it is afternoon tea time and the Hotel has a chocolate High Tea. The Hopwood' s love a good High Tea and this was no exception very nice indeed.

    Back in the room for a short rest, then off to the Neon Markets.

    The Neon Night Market is like all other markets lots if the same stuff. It was not very busy which was good. Heaps of food stalls but quite expensive, We found a place which had chicken strips and they where yummy and cheap.

    We walked to and back from the markets so our total step count today was 11,925. Which still a bit low considering the walk was about 20 min each way.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Plenty to see around the Place
    Around the Grand Palace groundsCarol's Batik design

    The Grand Palace

    March 13, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Today we are tourists. After breakfast we went by cab to the Grand Palace and walked around for hours. I took around 80 photo's, I think I may need to edit a few of them.

    The Grand Palace complex was established in 1782 and it consists of not only royal and throne halls, but also a number of government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It covers an area of 218,000 square metres and is surrounded by four walls, 1900 metres in length. After King Rama I ascended to the throne in 1782, the palace was built. Prior to this, the royal palace and centre of administration had been located in Thonburi, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. For various reasons, the new King considered the former capital to be unsuitable and decided to establish a new capital on the other side of the river.

    The artwork around the complex is very pretty and lots and lots of gold.

    We also went into Queen Sirikit Textile Museum which was very interesting.

    In 2003, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit requested permission to use a then vacant building on the grounds of the Grand Palace to house a new museum of textiles. The Building, erected in 1870 by King Rama V and formerly the Ministry of Finance, was graciously granted for this purpose by His Late Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

    This Italianate office building had previously served as the Ministry of Finance and the Office of Royal Ceremony. For its reinvention as a museum it underwent a top to bottom renovation that transformed it into a state of the art facility boasting new visitor reception areas, galleries, storage, an education studio, library, lecture hall, and Thailand’s first dedicated textile conservation laboratory.

    Whilst there I had a go at designing my own Batik fabric pattern.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Flowers everywhere
    The produce was also colourful

    Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market

    March 13, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Still being tourists we walked to a flower market called Pak Khlong Talat which transitioned around 60 years ago into today’s produce market, with a particular focus on flowers for both offerings and decoration. It is also one of the biggest markets for fruit and veg in central Bangkok. We only saw a few fruit and vegtables our visit was more about the flowers.

    We then caught a cab back to the Hotel.

    No swimming today just catching up on a few things at the hotel and resting. Our Tour of the Northern Part of Thailand starts tomorrow afternoon.

    We are going to head back to the Neon markets tonight as we think we need to purchase a bag to carry some of our luggage to reduce the weight of John's suitcase. We noticed that on the tour we are only allowed 20kg per bag, I guess that is because we will be moving every few days to a different Hotel either by car or boat, so it makes easier for them to move our luggage.

    Back at Hotel after dinner at Central World and walk back to the markets to purchase a bag.

    What a big day today, tomorrow until the afternoon is going to be restful sitting by the pool.

    Total steps today 16,511 although it did seem way more.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Around the hotel

    Relaxing

    March 14, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    The morning was a slow start, another yummy breakfast and a walk around the courtyard of the Hotel. It is lovely in the courtyard very pretty a shame about the 1 person smoking a cigar you could smell it everywhere.

    John took the washing to the Thai laundry before breakfast and has now gone to collect. Last washing on this trip.

    The remainder of the day is poolside, reading, doing puzzles and turning crispy.

    At 4.00pm we meet our Luxury Escapes Tour guide in the lobby so we can meet the other travellers in our group and be given the full details of the next 12 days.

    I am guessing no more relaxing as we will be on a strict timeline.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Scenes in Chinatown
    Egg Pancake

    Tour Begins

    March 14, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    This afternoon we gathered in the lobby of the Hotel to meet our tour guide and fellow trip goers. 7 Australians and 2 New Zealanders all very well travelled.

    First we went to dinner at a local Thai restaurant, it was pretty basic.

    Then we went to Chinatown. It was like all other Chinatowns so not much to report. We did try some street food, if you can call pineapple and jack fruit street food, they were purchased from a street vendor. I did try a dessert pancake. It sounds weird but is actually was nice. It was a crispy pancake with egg and cream, to me it tasted like marshmallow. I forgot to take a photo of me eating one.

    Now back in our room packing as tomorrow we leave at 8am. Very early for us.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Foyer
    FoyerTour Guide

    Leaving Bankgok

    March 15, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    We had a great time in Bangkok staying at Anantara Siam. Relaing around the pool and reading was lovely.

    Today the busy part if our holiday begins. Every day we have at least 2 activities and most days hours in buses moving us between locations.Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Around the plantation
    Various scenes from the markets

    Floating Markets

    March 15, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    First place we visited today was a palm sugar plantation, John even had a go a doing the work to melt down the sugar. On the first floor above the plantation workplace we were shown around the living space belonging to the owner.

    We then visited the Floating Markets, it is know as the Venice of the East, where vendors have been selling their goods along the waters end since mid 1800's. Everyone was basically selling the same things.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Arriving at our floating hotel

    The Floathouse River Kwai

    March 15, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    After hours in the bus we finally made it to the River Kwai.

    The resort is really lovely it is totally floating and the only way to reach the resort is by boat. Each villa is spacious and totally private and rich in custom tailored made teakwood furniture with thatched roofing. The design is impressive with exotic decorations including natural materials and ropes.

    We would be happy to stay here a few extra nights but sadly only 2 nights. The actual Hotel is great but the food is not the best so maybe 2 nights is all that is required.

    On our return to our room after dinner a fire extinguisher had been placed at our door. This makes us feel safer as we will be able to stop a fire should one start whilst we are on the water in our wooden room.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Hellfire Pass Memorial

    Hellfire Pass Memorial

    March 16, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Today started at 8.30 we had a few items on the agenda today. All very interesting and different to each other.

    The first was Hellfire Pass, the memorial area is very well done and extremly informative but quite upsetting as well.

    The infamous cutting known as Hellfire Pass was the largest along the length of the Thailand Burma Railway and the most deadly for the people forced to construct it.
    A small gallery lays out the history of the site and memorialises the victims with interviews from people who were there. We then descended the long set of stairs behind the museum to a trail following the original rail bed.

    Locally referred to as Konyu Cutting the 600m stretch earned its 'hellfire' nickname following the final 'Speedo' construction period where shifts of 500 prisoners worked 16 to 18 hours a day. The glow from burning torches cast eerie shadows of the Japanese guards and of the gaunt prisoners’ faces, so that the scene was said to resemble Dante’s Inferno. As you walk past imposing walls of rock, you catch sight of occasional nails protruding from the chiselled surface.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler

    Erawan National Park

    March 16, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    Back on the bus and we are off to Erawan National Park and to swim in a waterfall.

    Erawan National Park is located in West Thailand in the Tenasserim Hills range of Kanchanaburi Province, it is home to one of the most popular falls in the country.

    Founded in 1975 as Thailand’s 12th National Park, it covers an area of 550 sq km.
    The major attraction of the park is the 7-tiered Erawan Falls with emerald green ponds. There are also several impressive and long caves within the park, some of them deeper inside the park and a few of them along the roads around the park. The park and the falls are named after the three headed white elephant of Hindu mythology.

    We only went to tier 2 pond as we preferred to swim rather than home to the top. This proved to be a good call because the 3 people in our group who hiked to the top looked dreadful when they got back to the restaurant for lunch. They did say it was worth the hike, however, there was not enough time and it was very hot.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    All aboardTrain track built by the POW WW11

    Nam Tok Railway

    March 16, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Back on the bus and off to ride a train.

    Nam Tok is the current terminus for daily trains from Bangkok on the Death Railway line. They are old trains and no air con, so it was very hot and uncomfortable.

    The train line has many names, The Burma Railway, the Death Railway, the Siam–Burma Railway, the Thai–Burma Railway. It is a 415-kilometre railway between Thailand, and Burma, built by Japan in 1943 to support its forces in the Burma campaign of World War II using POW's. This railway completed the rail link between Bangkok, Thailand, and Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar).

    The line was closed in 1947, but the section between Nong Pla Duk and Nam Tok was reopened ten years later.

    Not sure than this train was worth the long drive in the bus to get there, the very hot conditions on the train and then bus ride back to the resort, but we can say we did it.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    The group on our way back to the resort
    The river Kwai

    Back at the Resort

    March 16, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Back at the resort relaxing and watching the water run very fast down the river and having a nice cold drink before dinner.

    Tomorrow is another full day and we will start at 8.30am again.

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Bridge over River Kwai
    One of the Japanese trains used in WW11

    Bridge over River Kwai

    March 17, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    After a short drive we arrived at the River Kwai Bridge.

    During WW II, Japan constructed the metergauge railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The line passing through the scenic Three Pagodas Pass runs for 250 miles it is also known as The Death Railway.

    The railway line was meant to transport cargo daily to India, to back up their planned attack on India. The construction was done using POWs and Asian slave laborers in unfavorable conditions. The work started in October 1942 was completed in a year.

    Due to the difficult terrain, thousands of laborers lost their lives. It is believed that one life was lost for each sleeper laid in the track.

    At the nearby Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, around 7,000 POWs, who sacrificed their lives in the railway construction, are buried. Another 2,000 are laid to rest at the Chungkai Cemetery.

    Allied Forces bombed the iron bridge in 1944. Three sections of Bridge River Kwai were destroyed. The present bridge has two of its central spans rebuilt.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
    Wat Phanan CheoengWat Phra Mahathat

    It was a Wat day

    March 17, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

    After nearly 4 hours of driving we arrived in Ayutthaya where the agenda is to visit 3 Wats.

    Ayutthaya is an ancient city and was once the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai and one of the most powerful in Asia. It had more than 1 million residents by AD1700 and enjoyed great riches, due to trading, with lavish palaces and temples.

    The first Wat we explored was Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon “the Monastery of Auspicious Victory” . The temple was founded in the second half of the 14th century during the reign of King U Thong, first ruler of Ayutthaya.

    The monastery got its present name after construction of the Chedi Chai Mongkhon in the late 16th century.

    During the Burmese invasion of 1767 the temple was largely destroyed.

    In 1592 the battle of Nong Sarai took place, one of many battles between Ayutthaya and the Burmese. During the battle Ayutthaya King Naresuan moved forward and attacked the Burmese Crown Prince Minchit Sra in one to one combat on war elephants.

    King Naresuan killed the Burmese Prince with his sword, after which the Burmese army retreated. On return to Ayutthaya the King ordered the Chedi Chai Mongkhon built to commemorate the victory over the Burmese.

    The second Wat is called Wat Phanan Choeng.

    Wat Phanan Choeng is famous for its enormous seated Buddha image, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the country. According to legend tears shed from the eyes of the image just before the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese in 1767.

    The temple’s main attraction is its 19 metre high Buddha. The brick and mortar image named Phra Chao Phanan Choeng is seated in the posture of subduing Mara, otherwise known as Calling the Earth to witness.

    The image was built in 1324, several decades before Ayutthaya was founded. After its completion the image stood outside, as the viharn had not been built yet.

    Today the Phra Chao Phanan Choeng is enshrined in a Viharn (which is a large assembly hall), the Viharn Phra Phanan Choeng and its walls are lined with hundreds of niches containing small images of the Buddha.

    Third Wat was called Wat Phra Mahathat.

    Wat Mahathat, “the temple of the Great Relic” was one of the most important temples in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Located on the historical island the large monastery features a huge central prang (spire), a very large principal viharn (assembly hall) an ubosot (hall) and a great number of subsidiary chedis (Stupas/tombs)) and viharns. The upper part of its once massive central prang has collapsed. Today only the base remains.

    The temple was constructed in 1374 by King Boromma Rachathirat I. A large prang was built to enshrine Buddha relics. The prang collapsed in the early 17th century, after which it was restored and enlarged. A large number of viharns and chedis have been added during the reign of later Kings.

    When the Burmese invaded and largely destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767, the Wat Mahathat was set on fire. The central prang collapsed again in the early 20th century and has not been restore. This Wat had one of the heads of a Bhudda entwined in the roots of a Banyan tree.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler

    Classic Cameo Ayutthaya

    March 17, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    Home for the night, a pretty basic hotel but after all the driving that is all we really need.

    Basically as soon as we checked in we put on our swimmers and went for a swim, sorry forgot to take photo's we were to busy chatting with our fellow travellers.

    We also had dinner in the Hotel and now ready to watch some Netflix as we have another early day tomorrow.

    Step count today 11,194.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler

    Game Changer What a Crazy World

    March 18, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    We were told this morning that Luxury Escapes have cancelled the remainder of our trip. We spent the morning arranging new flights for tomorrow as this was the earliest Qantas online could change our bookings. This has now created an issue with our luggage as we booked flights with 30kg limits. Our first leg is with Jetstar to Singapore at 20kg maybe 23kg (cannot make any sense of the allowance info). Second leg is BA with 23 kg. Unable to contact Qantas for assistance.

    We have booked into the Novatel at Bangkok airport. However, it is not really a good Hotel and booking on the day was at premium rates.

    We are not sure if insurance will cover all our out of pockets expenses so far around $500 Not counting the flight from Chang Rai which we now have to cancel as well.

    Oh the joys of a world pandemic.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler

    At the Airport

    March 19, 2020 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    We have left the Hotel and now in the Airport Lounge. The airport was not very busy so that is a plus. The lounge is just 3 people but it is small so hopefully no body else will come here.

    Check in was excellent even though it was Jetstar we were not charged any excess luggage fee. Well done Jetstar.

    Now to wait for 2.5 hours for our flight to Singapore. At least we have free food and Wi-Fi.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler

    Singapore Airport

    March 19, 2020 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    That was an easy flight. I caught up on some reading, John did some puzzles and had a sleep.

    Now in the lounge waiting for our flight. This lounge is much larger but the food not great.

    Some people are dressed for the occasion and totally understand social distance and some not so muchRead more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler

    Sydney Airport

    March 20, 2020, Tasman Sea ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    No social skills in Sydney people everywhere. Heaps of people waiting to collect friends and family. I still think if we get the virus it will be from Sydney Airport it is ridiculous how disorganised they are.

    At least the view coming into Sydney is sensational.    Read more

  • We are Living the DreamThailand 2020Traveler
    Not sure this is true

    We are Home

    March 20, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    We are now home and in self isolation. We just might be able to catch up on some of the tasks we thought we would do when we first retired.

    The changeover was quite successful. Melissa has stocked the cupboard and we are ready to eat some hot meals with some flavour. Unfortunately most meals in Thailand were a bit bland and cold. It was disappointing we could not play with Charlie when we got home but better to be safe than sorry. 14 days will fly we have so much to do.

    Goodbye Thailand see you soon.

    We have finished unpacking and on the 4th load so far of washing.

    We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and are saddened by the panic of COVID-19 as it ruined our holiday plans to see the Northern parts of Thailand. Oh well I guess it is back on the list.    Read more

    Trip end
    March 20, 2020
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