Ive been in Kanchanaburi for a few days and I’m loving it. My room is at the Jolly Frogers and looks straight out onto the Kwai. A couple of days ago i visited a Buddhist temple in the mountains where the monks are hand raising abandoned tiger cubs. They come up frighteningly close with nothing between you and the tiger but a monk with a water pistol and a piece of bamboo. Amazing to see them so close, and rare in Thailand to see them in a conservation based project rather than an attraction.

Walking down to the infamous rail bridge that crosses the river Kwai, some 1 km from my room, there is a very strong sense of history here, and a strong warmth to all nationalities that were involved in the construction of the Death Railway under the control of the Japanese army. I took a 2hr train down the track to see the harsh terrain that was penetrated to construct a project in which some 100,000 POW's lost their lives.

Nearly fully recovered from my last national park i decided to go to the Erawan Park some 40km from Kanchanaburi. I was assured there were no leeches and the terrain was not to bad. Erawan park is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. A series of 7 large infinitely complex falls and dozens of smaller falls cascade down a jungle packed mountain. Each has its own deep and crystal clear plunge pool bedded with white from the eroded lime stone cliffs. I spent the majority of that day simply swimming in each the falls and watching the wildlife. Very relaxing stuff.

Last night was a bit crazy, some of the girls that run the guesthouse took me two a Karaokoe room in the center of town. Each room on top floor of the hotel is converted into a private karaokoe room, with drinks, big chairs and mind blowing selection of ' Famous International' songs, none of which i had heard of, none of which i could sing. This didn't seem to matter as we merrily attempted songs in English, Thai, and a multitude of other languages. Embarrassment had no place as the distant sound of dozens of terrible voices boom from the walls either side. Bizarre night.

I will start heading for Chiag Mai tomorrow, this will inevitably involve a trip back to Bangkok first, which is a bit of a pain. More pics soon. Byes