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.
With a light breeze and the sound of falling water, scenic shots were also taken. Aaron-James took the lead together with our guide "Chai" 
Sarah-Marie, Clarissa-Anne and Mom took the middle and Dad at the rear. Whilst the scenes at Level #2-#4 were fairly similar .... some water falling and fishes looking for food, the scene at Level #5 was much nicer (It could have been better if there were more water !!!). Slightly harder to get there, it provided a soothing scene of peace and quiet (aside the noise of falling water !!!)
A good 30-40 min were spent at Level #4, wading & soaking the tired feet in the icy cool water, letting the carps fight in the swallow water, looking for food. Other tourists also joined in and the more daring ones, swam in the icy pool, amidst all the fishes and letting the water, falls/splashes on them.
After spending some 2 hours walking the trail, climbing rocks and jumping over fallen trees, a GOOD FOOT REFLEX was a welcoming thought. (Probably 2 hrs at one go !!!). Whilst it was not openly said, it was written across the faces. A good experience but I don't think there will be a repeated performance. (Nothing like a good feet rub !!!)
Whilst enroute to the Pala-U Jungle Trail/Waterfall, our guide (known to us as "Chai"), decided to stop by a small Pineapple Plantation to break the almost 2-hr journey from Hua Hin. Each Pineapple, carefully wrapped in newspaper to prevent insects from attacking the young fruit, cost about 8 baht (about $0.25) when harvested. With fields of pineapples growing at various stages, no wonder pineapples are plentiful for desert at the end of each Thai meal.
The well-known weekend market at Chatuchak was a MUST before proceeding to Hua Hin. The buffet breakfast @ The Square (Novotel Hotel) was very quickly completed before heading for the nearby Skytrain Station at SIAM (Central) 
After purchasing stored value tickets, the family headed via the sky train for MO CHIT which is at the end of the line. (Looks like everyone else in the train was also heading that way !!!)
The ever crowded market was not too difficult to find. Whilst the girls stayed with Mom, Aaron-James hopped around 
with Dad at a faster pace. Though the walkie-talkies were cheap means for remainining in contact, there were lots of distubance from other users. Sarah-Marie even had a Thai mouse, running over her feet. (How lucky can she get ? Of all the many people there, that little mouse had to choose her feet !!!!.... could have been one of the three blind mice.)
Central World (Opposite Arnoma Hotel) certainly had a new look since the family had last visited. Many more new shops, good eating outlets, more shops and the decorations to add on the festive mood.
Outside the building, beer promotors and popular Thai food vendors had opened air food-courts complete with music and entertainment. A hugh brightly decorated Christmas Tree also welcome visitors to the mall.
The ladies (Mom and the girls) were roving from shops to shops hunting for dresses and accessories whilst Dad and son moved around exploring all the outlets (other than dress shops) and was having fun hunting/searching for the rest of the parties, tactically through the building. Clarissa-Anne was also having a field day, letting herself being photographs with the many decorations at the mall.
Towards the end of the opening hours, tired shoppers eventually make their way back to their hotels armed with all the gifts and presents in hand. The mid-air walk path (just below the sky train tracks) were excellent as there were no traffic junctions to cross, nor obstacles to overcome. It was just plain strolling along to the hotel, in time for a good FOOT REFLEX & BACK MASSAGE before turning in for the day.
It was like ages, since we have last managed to round up everyone for a trip. (There is usually one or two who just couldn't make it). As we prepared to board the aircraft, Aaron gave his sister ONE final PUSH to the immigration counter, T2 Changi International Airport.
