Destination: Bangkok Accommodations: Bizotel Premier Hotel

Last night at the camp, we saw what we since have been told were Bumblebee Bats. It is one of the few places in the world where they are found. There were tons of them flying around as we headed to dinner. They are very rare and the smallest species of bat. Wow! Who knew?

After breakfast at the camp, we boarded our bus and started on our way back to Bangkok. The camp was a wonderful respite and we enjoyed being there. It was so nice being amid nature and taking time, as they say, to smell the roses.

Along the way to Bangkok , we stopped at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the main prisoner of war cemetery for victims of Japanese imprisonment while building the Burma Railway. The cemetery contains 6,982 graves of British, Australian and Dutch prisoners of war, of whom 6,858 have been identified.

After paying our respects at the cemetery, we went to see the bridge over the river Kwai (pronounced Ka-way actually). (The actual name is the Kwai Yai River.)

This steel bridge is one of the most important historical landmarks and memorials in Thailand. It was part of the railway line in World War II. After World War II, the damaged bridge was renovated by the Thai government in 1946.

The construction of the bridge was done using POWs and Asian slave laborers in unfavorable conditions. The work started in October 1942 and 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 cross tie laid in the track.

Allied forces bombed the iron bridge in 1944. The present bridge has two of its central spans rebuilt.

We were able to walk the length of the bridge and after visiting Hellfire Pass and the war cemetery, the walk across the bridge was certainly very poignant.

We enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant. As usual, the Thai food was outstanding. I wish I could remember the names of all the dishes, but no matter, they were all delicious. Are told us that usually for dessert, pineapple and watermelon are served. The way to eat it is to eat the watermelon first and then eat the pineapple. Good to know.

We arrived at the Biozel Hotel in Bangkok, where we had started our pre-trip adventure and we packed up our dirty laundry and sent it to be washed and dried at the hotel. We met friends for dinner and then enjoyed a night cap with other friends.

Tomorrow is a busy day as we begin the main trip and welcome four new folks, (who opted not to take the pre-trip), to the fold.

As we drove to our hotel, the heavens opened up with rain for the first time since we began our trip, but it was short lived and didn’t affect us at all.

The above photos are from our visit to the cemetery

Bridge over the river Kwai. In the middle of the bridge you can see where the bridge was repaired after the bombings

Fried noodles. Tasted sweet and delicious.

Lunch served family style. We had more than enough for seconds and even thirds.