Letter 4 (dave)

Hi all,



Finally got the one computer at this nice hotel working and will try to get you caught up a bit.



First of all, we are well, and enjoying the experience of Thailand. In many ways, it is really a very modern country. There is not poverty I've experienced elsewhere. Many modern buildings. Fine highway system with a well maintained expressway system. Most cars are in good shape with a good number from the US and Japan. No effect where we are from the damage done a month ago. Of course, they are still working in that area. Persons are still missing. There is also some fear for the long term health of the economy since Thailand is dependent on tourism. We continue to enjoy the variety and taste of the Thai cuisine, though I wouldn't mind slipping in one steak dinner.



Of course, we've visited some temples as this is a Buddhist country. The one that included the "reclining Buddha" was impressive. Created some 200 years ago, it is 46 meters in its position.



On the 24th, we had a speed boat ride through floating markets and houseboats. This entire community essentially lives on the water. Shopping is done by boat which then visit simple stores on other boats.



The visit to the bridge over the Rive Kwai is sobering with the significant loss of life among the POW's as they were forced to build this bridge under extreme conditions. The old movie on the subject doesn't begin to touch the realities of this time in history during g WWII. Visiting the JEATH museum, part it is was housed in a shelter very much like what was home to the POW's. After this, we stopped to visit with a Thai man who witnessed the events at the POW camp and could respond to our questions with first hand impressions.



Then off to a raft where we and our belongings were towed to a cabins located in a national park. Here we spent two nights. Great site. The evening was spent hearing and seeing the traditional music and dance of the Mon people from Burma who live in this area of Thailand. Very colorful and interesting. Their music has no accidentals which adds to the uniqueness. Then the next day we traveled by long boat, a speed boat, back to the bus.



We return to the Kwai bit of history viewing another museum and hiking the Hellfire Canyon. We could actually see where the POW's did their work cutting through rock for the railroad tracks. Some of our hike was on the original railroad bed. Later that afternoon, we had a train ride that still used some of the original track.



There was a monkey stop following this, lots of them!



We walked another typical market, always interesting.



Lunch today was on a barge as we traveled down a river. Later this afternoon, we stopped for a snack of crickets, silkworm, bamboo work and scarub beetle.



Had a long day of driving today, the first of this trip. But it was interesting just watching the countryside.



This is not a birding trip, but have added about a dozen lifers thus far. So far, have done a better than average job of identifying what I have seen.



Must get ready for tomorrow, but here is another installment sent out when I can fine a computer.