Day 1, Monday 7th October - Kanchanaburi

Departure for Kanchanaburi..... The weather today again looks iffy. A thunderstorm arrived Sunday afternoon and raged well into the night. I awake at 6.30 am with full expectations for the day but even though the rain has stopped I've cancelled the option to make it to Sangkhlaburi by evening as I had planned. I'm in no hurry. In Thailand getting anywhere more quickly invariably costs more. I don't need to jam myself up in city traffic scrambling for a tour bus to Sangkhlaburi which occupies around 7 hours. The town lies on the western border with Myanmar and involves an arduous journey through mountain terrain. I'm taking an easier option by heading for Kanchanaburi first. As such, it only features here as an overnight stopover. My final destination can wait till tomorrow. A short tour to Kanchanaburi is featured in my tour 11G.
I'm on my way after 10 am but choosing the slow bus Im not in Mochit Mai (northern bus terminal) till midday, but there's a problem. I discover this terminal is not generally used for departures to Kanchanaburi. There is a 9.30 am service, but later services only depart from Sai Tai (southern bus terminal). I'm not prepared to waste any more time as Sai Thai bus terminal is too far from here. There is a minivan ready to leave Mochit Mai, but it's no secret I'm not a lover of this form of transport even though it will be quicker, but I've no option. If I had known this I could have headed for Victory Monument and saved and hour. Be that as it may I'm on my way feeling like a battery hen, not even getting a window seat. As we head northwest we follow the route of the Purple Line high-speed rail link out into Nonthaburi Province, an expensive urban rail project that has been under construction for some time. Other than this I'm totally bored, finally relieved to reach Kanchanaburi around 2.30 pm. While it hasn’t rained yet, the clouds look threatening over the nearby hills. On the plus side the driver points out a guesthouse in the city not far from the terminal and I can get off there.
Baanmafeung..... This guesthouse is on the main road through Kanchanaburi and is convenient to the bus station. All being well I can get an early start in the morning. Kanchanaburi is a popular destination, so I guess the 650 baht for an air-conditioned room with fridge, TV and hot shower is about right. It is convenient to shops and restaurants and I soon find a place to eat Thai food, welcoming a late lunch. Returning to Baanmafeung for a rest, I seem to have timed that right as a tropical storm descends on the town. That will be it until evening. At 6.30 pm I stroll back towards the bus station and locate the night market offering all kinds of traditional food. I settle for kow moo dang (red pork on rice). Pools of water hang around everywhere and I note the traffic congestion in part due to buses entering and leaving the bus terminal. This is quite normal in Thailand. At least I've located the terminal and calculate I can walk there in the morning with my pack. After a quick browse around I head back to write these notes.
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