Hellfire Pass & River Kwai via longtail boat

Trip Start Jan 28, 2013
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Trip End Mar 09, 2013


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Flag of Thailand  , Kanchanaburi,
Saturday, February 2, 2013

Allied POW's and SE Asian laborers were forced by the Japanese to build the railroad to Burma through the mountains during World War II. The most difficult section was through the mountains by the River Kwai -- Hellfire Pass. Otto led the group on a trail along the former tracks through Hinton Cutting, up and down through Hellfire Pass to the Hellfire Pass Museum which commemorates the thousands who died during the construction.

We boarded longtail speedboats for a cruise on the River Kwai, a chance to see the vegetation, birds, houses high on the banks, and numerous floating hotels or resorts. We learned about tapioca and stopped at a famous waterfall near the current end of the Thai-Burma railroad. An original Japanese train remains at the station. Otto told us the story of why the region was called "Gold Place" based on rumors that the Japanese had hidden pots of gold in caves as they left Thailand.

Remainder of the afternoon was free for massages, swimming, naps, walking around. In the evening we walked to a nearby village for a delicious dinner.
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