After visiting the JEATH MUSEUM, hired a "Long Boat" for 1000 baht. The boat ride up the River Kwai passes some 
floating resort and restaurants along the river. We even passed an elephant cooling itself in the river. Though it was a relatively short cruise, it added another mode of transportation for the holiday.
A family shot for the album, with the Bridge (in the background) over the River Kwai.
Boarding the train that still runs along the Death Railway at the THAKILEN Station was by itself an experience. With traces of bullet holes that left tell-tale signs of WWII along some parts of the
railway tracks and old pictures of the POWs that built the railway between Thailand and Burma (now Myanmar).
The ride from the THAKILEN Station to our meal place at WANG PHO was by itself another experience of its own. Slowly but eventually, the train "chuckled" along the tracks, passing small villages and scenic view of the Kwai River. Aaron-James viewed that even the butterflies could overtake the train. On the whole, "patience" was all that was needed to get to the destination.
historical Death Railway ride. Whilst the seats were more of benches, there was also a 1st class coach that comes with added cushion on the hard wooden benches. This comes with a price og 150 baht ... (Normal 2nd class coach cost 50 bath) ... but with no increase in the speed of the train. If more fresh air is required, pop your head out for some !!!
Whilst Aaron-James is anxiously awaiting for his examination results, the stress on Sarah-Marie of not completing her assignments was rather overwhleming. The feeble attempt (see pic - left) was abandoned after having to wait so long for that train to come by (Probably less nerve testing to do the assignment, afterall !!! )
Approximately 15 000 prisoners of war (POWs) and 100 000 civilan lost their lives in 1942 as sickness, malnutrition, exhaustion and mistreatment whilst constructing the railway to link Burma (now Myanmar) with Thailand) during the Japanese Occupation in WWII.
More than 5000 Commonwealth and 1800 Dutch casualties are commenorated at this cemetry.
The nearby JEATH WAR MUSEUM was served as a reminder of the "dark" times of the conditions the POWs had to ensure whilst 
building the railway and the Bridge of the River Kwai. The exit of the Museum stands a lone watch tower that overlooks the river which was then the major obstacle for the railway to pass over.
A free and easy morning starting off with an open air breakfast that overlooks the pool and the Gulf of Thailand. Not too hot (yet) with a 
gentle on-shore breeze. Soon after, Sarah-Marie laze at the poolside chair, indulged in a newly found book whilst Aaron-James and Clarissa-Anne 
took there last opportunity to link-up in cyberspace for quick email updates and MSN chat. They were much deprived of their constant link-up whilst back home. (A good experience to live in a cyber-free environment for a while !!! There were some signs of withdrawl symptoms among them. Both of them kept taking out their handphone to see if anyone have messaged them. Sarah-Marie ain't too far from them either.) 
Mum took the plunge to join the daily morning aqua-arobics (despite the cold icy water). Many of the participants were from Europe (good time to get away from the cold Winter for the sunny Asia environment). 
From the Hotel, the jetty where fishing boats bring in their daily catch could be seen from afar. Whilst the 3 younger ones decided to "relax", Mum & Dad took a walk to check out the jetty.
A lone patrol boat from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) remains alongside the jetty, on standby for any contingencies whilst local fishermen tries their luck for some catch, amidst the choppy waters of the Gulf. Most of the catch were too small for the consumer's table but I guess it was the fun of catching something.
At the entrance of the jetty, several small fishing boats were taking shelter inside the breakwater of the bay. Occassionally, a metre high wave would come crashing onto the breakwater, leaving the small boats bopping around like corks in the water.
Seems like a good idea to go troting, in the early morning sun, along the long stretch of Hua Hin beach, facing the Gulf of Thailand. With the horses brought up to the beach front of the hotel (each ride cost 500 Baht), the horses troted all the way to the far end of the beach (passing the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa) and back. Entire duration .... about an hour. Sounds good !!!
Whilst Sarah-Marie ended with leg cramps, Clarissa-Anne looked glad that it was all over. Throughout the ride, she was holding on very tightly to her horse. 
For the two guys, it was bum-aches from the few quick trots from their "remote-controlled" horses. All came to one conclusion at the end of the ride .... "NO MORE WADING in the water nor WALKING 
BARE-FOOTED ALONG the beach" (You should have seen the amount of horse shit along the way !!!)
This was the most efficient form of land transport in Thailand until the arrival of the railway and the automobile, and in the jungle and mountain areas today is still the most desirable and the safest way to go.
With a broad a wooden seat strapped onto their backs and tied with heavy rope, the mahout, or trainer, rests on the elephant's neck and guides him along the slow bumpy ride. If there is anything comforting, handphone reception was excellent !!
Half way along the ride along village paths and dung filled ponds, the enterprising mahout sundden stopped under a shady spot and out came "elephant made" products for sale. Small ornaments from elephant's teeth, hair from their tails and small bits of their tasks were out for sale. (A Jumbo Sale, not to be missed !!!).
Almost like being held for ransom, we had to buy something before the gear were back in place for the animal to start walking again. At the end of the ride (back at the village), a baby elephant with a slightly larger one put up a show, played football and dance to music, for bannans. More means to squeeze out a few more bahts from the visitors.
