Elephant Rides

We woke up at the crack of dawn this morning for our tour to the bridge over the river Kwai. The bridge is a two to three hour drive from Bangkok depending on traffic. On the way we stopped in Kanchanaburi for a visit to the Allied War Cemetery where British, Australian and Dutch prisoners of war are buried who died while working on the railway. The bridge itself is somewhat rickety, but pedestrians and tourist trains still cross regularly. After the bridge, we boarded a traditional bamboo raft for a short trip down Khwae Noi to the elephant farm. Kari got to play mahout and ride on the elephant's shoulders. Lunch was provided at a local restaurant before we boarded the Iron Horse for a hot and dusty trip along a section of the original Death Railway. Another long, but air conditioned ride back to Bangkok rounded out the day. A great opportunity for a nap after all the excitement.