Da 5, Friday 11 October - Bang Khen, Bangkok

Anti-climax..... As is usual, the return from a tour is somewhat of an anti-climax. I consume coffee and croissant before making my way up the incline to the office at the top, but I don't relish the thought of walking back up to the town about a kilometre away; it's a gradual incline all the way. However, the owner continues his hospitality by offering to take me to the bus station on the motorbike. Wonderful!
Return to Bangkok..... I'm now early for the 9.30 am bus service which turns out to be a 2nd class government bus. However, this air-conditioned service will be comfortable enough and I will get plenty of legroom in the front seat. The earlier 1st class service has long departed but the interesting thing today is that a third service will depart later at 12.30 pm as another vehicle becomes available. All these services terminate at Mochit Mai (Bangkok northern bus terminal) but the problem today is the 359-kilometre journey. As things turn out, I sleep for much of the way; the medication I'm taking making me drowsy. Before the bus reaches Kanchanaburi there will be no less than four stops at check-points; the Thai border police ever vigilant much to the annoyance of some passengers. A 15-minute break is taken at Thong Pha Phum to collect passengers and a similar one at Kanchanaburi then it's all the way into Bangkok via the northern route in Nakhon Pathom Province then into Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Tong and into the metropolis itself at Bang Khen, turning south towards the terminal. Arrival is at 5.05 pm after an epic journey of seven and a half hours. There is still work to do beating the rush hour traffic. In reality this is always far more than 1 hour. After dinner in Kubon Road I'm finally back near at the residence at 7.30 pm.

Conclusion..... Sangkhlaburi is not the easiest place to get to. Kanchanaburi is a gateway to the deeply forested area that borders Myanmar. There is no airport and the quickest journey would be by minivan. Some are clearly prepared to use this service in cramped conditions with little room for luggage otherwise this is a long journey taking all day. I admit this is not the most exciting tour I have made. No doubt in the dry season there will be more options with the sunken temple coming into view together with traces of the death railway and the National Parks will be more welcoming for visitors who will be keen to escape the heat of Bangkok. I guess the greatest legacy of this trip is the cost. Sangkhlaburi is cheap for general needs and there is nothing really at the border markets to consider bringing back. I can't honestly give this location 10 out of 10 but in the interest of adding more districts to this website then it's been pleasant enough.
Weather
Overast in the morning, sunny spells in the afternoon, hot and humid 25-30c
Dining out
Sangkhlaburi does not have much in the way of Western foods although Western style breakfast is provided at some resorts. Most restaurants provide Burmese, Mon or Thai style foods or a mixture of these. Street food and fast food is also available
Transport used
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, minivan from Mochit Mai Bus Station, 120 baht
Kanchanaburi to Sangkhaburi (5 hours), slow bus, 130 baht
Sangkhlaburi to Bangkok, (7.5 hours) 2nd class government bus, 249 baht
minivan, city bus, taxi meter and motorbike taxi used in Bangkok c.100 baht
motorbike rental
200 baht/day from Blue Rock Bar/Restaurant, fuel 155 baht
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