Day 3, Wednesday 9 October - Sangkhlaburi

An unfortunate start..... This first full day in Sangkhlaburi starts with a trip to 7-Eleven for a snack breakfast. Water is already on the boil for coffee. Apart from a cloudy start there is no sign of rain and the day set fair. I return for breakfast then before I can get my touring underway for the day, I need to upload yesterday's work, not sure if I connect to the internet. I detect a service available, but it's not within range. I try moving closer to the signal source, but that doesn't work. What happens next will have a dampening effect on the day. I decide to take the motorbike up to the office, an otherwise long walk uphill. On arrival, I open my netbook to find the screen broken. This is terminal and requires a new LED screen. I doubt if one is available here and if there was, it would be expensive. Even in Bangkok the screen will cost the equivalent of two days touring. I can do nothing but wait till I get back at the weekend. It is a setback as my machine is a trusty companion on my travels. Now it is useless and I shall be somewhat blind without it. The cause of the damage may be the heat from the motorbike engine. Whether my touring will be compromised it's too early to tell.
Sangkhlaburi Tour..... Determined to soldier on I acquire a map where I can identify the principal sites that I need to visit. I head towards the Mon Village, stopping at the concrete bridge to take photos. A little further is a viewpoint consisting of walkways, platforms and pagodas. This is my first good view of the Mon Bridge which now has a section missing caused by seasonal high water levels. The road then skirts around the valley entering the Mon village and the location of the bridge entrance. There is little activity even though a temporary raft walkway is in situ. An enterprising young boy appears from nowhere and is keen to be my guide as in Thailand the schools are closed for holidays. The boy is from a Mon family, but all children here are taught Thai and some English, the latter invariably restricted by the lack of opportunity to use it conversationally. However, I get the gist of his commentary. Clearly it is more than I can get from the internet right now. I tip him then head off to my next destination very impressed by the fact that this young man will use the money for school equipment rather than buy sweets. Soon I come upon Chedi Puttataya.
Chedi Puttataya..... The location of this temple on a headland overlooking the waters of Khao Laem Dam is apt as it overlooks the now hidden site of the original temple completely visible for only one month of the year. Relocation and construction of this temple is down to the efforts of its founder Luang Phor Uttama. During my visit preparations are underway for festivities later in the month to mark the 7th anniversary of his passing. Further along the headland is the site of his remains in Wat Wang Wiwekaram. This temple contains other interesting features covered in more detail later. I head back towards Sangkhlaburi where I have a late lunch alongside the highway. Traveling away from town in the opposite direction toward the intersection is the site of Wat Somdet at the top of a rise. This offers good views of the surrounding countryside and that will be the end of touring for today.
Other Business..... The remainder of the afternoon is free for rest. In the evening I ride around locating other resorts that are included in the guides. Here Burmese Inn, there P Guesthouse, not forgetting Forget-me-Not. They do appear to be more remote than at Tongtawan so unless trekking is on the menu then some other form of transport would be required. Returning to the town I find an acceptable restaurant near the market. I'm almost done for the day but in the main street a young boy has been bitten by a dog. It is important not only is his wound treated, but he is inoculated for tetanus and rabies. I get the impression that the thought and indignity of going to hospital is more painful than the wound itself as he is hauled kicking and screaming onto the back of the motorbike.
It remains for me to write up some notes tonight which unfortunately requires pen and ink. Luckily my photographic record is intact. The only thing I cannot access is yesterday's notes.
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