Brisbane
Date Time
Local
Date Time
Event, Location
The Travellers' Diary
Wed 7/08 2:00
Tue 6/08 17:00
BA 5976 17:00 Tue Dub->LHR 18:15, Aer Lingus
Wed 7/08 4:00
Tue 6/08 19:00
Terminal 4, Airside, British Airways Terraces
Had at least 3 hrs to spend in the BA equivalent of the Qantas Club. Managed to get a dodgy Internet connection from a credit-card phone. Checked e-mail but too slow to update the website. Spent the time editing pictures and HTML.
Wed 7/08 7:30
Tue 6/08 22:30
BA 7312 22:30 Tue LHR->BKK 16:05, Terminal 4
Wed 7/08 19:05
Wed 7/08 16:05
Arrive Bangkok
Wed 7/08 19:00
Wed 7/08 16:00
16:00 BKK Minibus Transfer, Pacific World (Thailand) Booking AS/000693-002 29 Apr 02
Wed 7/08 20:00
Wed 7/08 17:00
Bangkok 3 nts: Indra Regent +66 (2) 208-0022-33
Thu 9/08 9:30
Thu 9/08 6:30
Bridge over River Kwai Tour, Pacific World (Thailand)
On Monday, 12th August, is the Queen's Birthday in Thailand. All over the place they have huge decorated pictures of her in preparation. It is the sort of attention that Queen Liz could only dream about. It is also their Mother's Day, and they love their Queen like their mother. We went on a 13 hour trip to the Bridge on the river Kwai, one of the war memorial grave sites at Kanchanaburi, and near the Burmese border. Six thousand Aussie soldiers died building the bridge and railroad, more than any other European nation. However, percentage-wise, Aussies were the best survivors!. One third of 200,000 Asians perished.
At the war museum, the Japanese section informed us that Japan was only protecting itself and had no desire to expand it's Empire! You've got to be kidding! It was an elaborate building, but like most things in Asia, showed no sign of maintenance, and what was once very nice, was becoming rather faded and tatty. I had forgotten about the style of "happy rooms" in Bali, but was quickly reminded of them on this trip. Mike just loved the ceramic hole in the ground. After gingerly squatting over this, you of course have to scoop up a bucket of water and pour it in the hole. Would have loved a tap to wash the hands, but no such luxury.
Yep this is the Bridge on the River Kwai.
We took a boat ride up the Kwai river, on these boats powered by old car engines. The current was very fast, and the scenery looked quite wild and untouched. Then we took a train ride on the famous railway, which was quite scenic and involved travelling over some interesting bridges.
The hotel at the end of the line has rooms along the river on pontoons, with air conditioners. We had lunch there and saw a pretty terrible Thai demonstration of music and dance.
Fri 9/08 4:15
Fri 9/08 1:15
New Moon
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Fri 9/08 9:00
Fri 9/08 6:00
Andrew: Participate in, Lead & Facilitate a Team
Fri 9/08 Night
Fri 9/08 Afternoon
Pantip Plaza & Bangkok sightseeing
Slept in big time today. Then went to Pantip Plaza, the famous computer hardware and software centre. After several hours of looking around we discovered there were no great bargains, so we bought nothing. Thought the second hand Computer Mart might be more within our budget, but it looked really dodgy.
This canal boat slowed down, most of the passengers leapt in and the boat took off again in less time than it takes to lift the camera and shoot.
Bangkok traffic is everything they say it is - a pollution jammed nightmare. Most officials and many of the population wear masks. The trucks and buses seem to burn as much oil as petrol. Nearly all the brake lights in the picture below are on. Found the skytrain was great for getting around, but it only serves a limited area. The locals are very friendly and helpful, and are quick to offer us assistance when we are lost.
Sala Thai dancers Had the last dinner of our trip at a Thai restaurant with a very high quality dance and music show.
Sat 10/08
Mo Chit Markets
Persuaded Mike that he really did want to go to the Mo Chit weekend markets. Walked and then caught the skytrain again. Six thousand stalls at this market. You have never seen so much junk in all your life. Promised Mike he would never have to go again. Let him ride in a taxi instead of walk at the end, and he cheered up. Total shopping done in Thailand: 2 souvenir teaspoons. Now how could a husband winge about that?
Sat 10/08 18:00
Sat 10/08 15:00
15:00 BKK? Minibus Transfer, Pacific World (Thailand) Booking AS/000693-005 29 Apr 02
Sat 10/08 19:00
Sat 10/08 16:00
QC near Gate 15, Depart. Lvl, Trmnl 1, Airside QC +66 (2) 504 3566
Now sitting at the airport in the Qantas club waiting to return to Sydney, then Brissie. Qantas is big on preventing blood clots. The Qantas lounge is about 2 km from the departure gate. Plenty of exercise.
Sat 10/08 20:30
Sat 10/08 17:30
BA 9 17:30 BKK->Syd 5:20 Sun, Terminal 2
Sun 11/08 7:05
QF 504 Syd->Bne 8:35 Sun, Domestic
Sun 11/08 8:35
Sun 11/08 8:35
Arrive Brisbane
Altogether, a magnificent holiday. When back in Brissie, Mike will make the pictures "clickable" so they enlarge when you click on them (this is lay-speak). So if you are really bored on a Sunday afternoon you can browse the web site. Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.
The Fitzies.
Mon 12/08 0:00
Logan Show Holiday