5 December 2025 – Day 22 — Kanchanaburi, Curry for Breakfast & A Bridge Called Bridge
Some days just start right, and this one opened with the holy trinity of Thai mornings: good hotel breakfast, strong coffee, and a bowl of Massaman curry. To sum it up, “Breakfast is good quality in our hotel… coffee, Massaman curry and then off to embrace the day.” Honestly, that’s the kind of energy that should be bottled.
With tummies full, it was off to PTT for fuel — and, as usual, we somehow turned a simple petrol stop into a full‑blown community art project. Alison took photos of the local Thais, AI‑styled them into Pixar‑magic, and before long we had a queue of people wanting their portraits. Airdrop diplomacy at its finest.
Back at the hotel, we waited for Brij, our friend from the Australian 4WD truck scene, who’d taxied up from Bangkok for a day of temple‑hopping and catching up. Last time we saw him was Cervantes; this time, we were ready to show him the Kanchanaburi greatest hits.
And what a tour it was.
First stop: Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (DonRak) — always moving, always grounding. Then on to the River Kwai Railway Bridge, where Steve and Brij walked across while Alison drove around to meet them on the other side. Efficient. Stylish. Very Alison.
Next came Chedi Thong Wat Tham Khao Pun, where the views of the river were spectacular, followed by the cool, echoing cave‑temple of Wat Tham Phu Wa. Light rain added a bit of atmosphere — Thailand’s version of mood lighting.
Then it was time for a classic: Wat Ban Tham, the temple you enter through the dragon’s mouth. We’ve climbed those stairs more than once, but it never gets old. And finally, the grand finale: Wat Tham Suea, a favourite we were excited to share with Brij.
By 3:15pm, we were back at the hotel, sending Brij off in a taxi with promises to catch up again soon. A day well spent, full of temples, stories, and that easy camaraderie that only old friends have.
After a quick rest — because even adventurers need naps — we headed out for our evening walk, letting the day settle in that gentle, golden Kanchanaburi light.
A full, rich, very “you” kind of day.
6 December 2025 – Day 23 — Oh Poi Market, Temples, Lunch… and an Unexpected Proposal
The day began with the long, scenic drive toward the Myanmar border, the road curling through forest and farmland until we reached the main car park for Oh Poi Market. From there it was a 700‑metre wander into the heart of one of Thailand’s most beloved weekend markets — a Karen‑run riverside maze of colour, food, crafts, and laughter.
Our notes capture it perfectly:
“Soon we arrived at the Karen run markets alongside the Phachi river. This is truly a Thai favourite weekend market. The colour…”
And the photos fill in the rest — grilled corn, smoky barbecues, bright woven decorations, kids posing proudly, and locals in traditional dress. The whole place felt alive, warm, and wonderfully chaotic.
After soaking up the atmosphere (and probably half the smoke from the barbecues), we made our way back toward the hotel — but not without a couple of classic Alison‑and‑Steve detours.
First stop: a temple along the way, one of those unexpected roadside gems with giant statues, naga guardians, and the kind of bold colours only Thailand can pull off. A quick wander, a few photos, a moment of calm — then back on the road.
Next stop: late lunch at a PTT service station, because in Thailand, petrol stations are basically gourmet food courts with fuel attached. Fried rice, snacks, cold drinks — simple, perfect, and exactly what you needed.
And then came the moment of the day.
One of the locals took quite a shine to Steve.
Not just a smile.
Not just a friendly chat.
A marriage proposal.
Much to Alison’s amazement (and probably Steve’s confusion), the admirer was very enthusiastic. A true “Thailand never disappoints” moment. You couldn’t script it better.
By the time we reached the hotel, we’d collected a full day’s worth of stories: markets, temples, food, laughter, and the unforgettable moment when Steve nearly left Thailand with another wife!!
Day 23 was vibrant, funny, and full of heart — exactly the kind of day that makes this trip so special.
7 December 2025 – Day 24 — Marble Cliffs, Golden Fields & Christmas in a Foam Storm
The day began at Thao U Thong, a reclaimed marble quarry that now feels more like a natural cathedral than an industrial site. Towering cliffs framed the landscape, and the carved Buddha watching over the valley gave the whole place a serene, almost otherworldly calm.
The golden pagoda perched above the cliff caught the morning light, and the whole area felt peaceful, spacious, and beautifully reborn.
From there, the road carried you through rice fields until the giant Buddha of Wat Muang rose ahead — impossibly large, impossibly golden, and impossibly photogenic. Standing behind it, with the fields stretching out like a green carpet, the Buddha looked both gentle and monumental, a quiet guardian of the countryside.
Next came Wat Tha It, a temple that refuses to be ordinary. The pyramid‑shaped building, the naga guardians, the colourful statues, the unusual tower reached by nine staircases — spirals, semi‑circles, and straight climbs — all added to its quirky charm. Inside, the warm yellow spiral staircase wound upward like a seashell, and every level revealed something new: gold, silver, serpents, woven decorations, and that unmistakable Thai blend of devotion and creativity.
As the sun dipped, the day shifted from temples to twinkling lights. We arrived at the Z‑One night market, which had transformed into a full Christmas wonderland — in 30‑degree heat. Foam drifted through the air like tropical snow, kids slid through bubbles, giant Santas and snowmen towered over the crowd, and a Christmas tree sparkled like it was competing with the moon. Music, neon signs, laughter, and the warm buzz of families out for the night filled the air.
Dinner was classic Thai night‑market style — sizzling grills, open‑air tables, string lights overhead, and the hum of people eating, chatting, and soaking up the festive chaos. It was joyful, colourful, and wonderfully unexpected — Christmas, but with sandals, street food, and foam machines.
Day 24 was a kaleidoscope — spiritual, architectural, playful, and delicious. A day that proves Thailand never runs out of ways to surprise you.
8 December 2025 – Day 25 — The 3,790‑Step Climb to the Clouds
Today was dedicated to one thing: the long, steady, quietly determined ascent to Wat Khao Wong Phrachan — all 3,790 steps of it. It’s a climb we’ve done before, but it still feels like a small pilgrimage each time, a mix of effort, rhythm, and the quiet satisfaction of simply putting one foot in front of the other.
The morning air was soft as we set off from the temple grounds, the stairway rising ahead in a long ribbon of concrete and devotion. The route is no small undertaking ..The path runs roughly 1,680 metres along the slope and gains about 650 metres in elevation.
It’s the kind of climb that starts gently, then gradually reminds you that yes, this is a mountain.
Along the way were the familiar markers: shrines tucked into corners, viewpoints that offered a moment to breathe, and the occasional passer‑by — including two workers who slid down the centre rail with the ease of people who know every inch of the staircase. Those little human moments always add warmth to the climb.
And then there was Steve.
At 72, he kept a steady, unwavering pace — the kind that comes from experience, not speed…Steve, 72, proved that age is no barrier — he kept a steady pace and showed he still has it.”
He really did.
Nearly three hours after setting off, we reached the final step. The summit opened into sweeping views over Lopburi, the giant Buddha standing calm and golden above the valley. The breeze was cool, the air thinner, and the sense of achievement unmistakable. It’s a climb that blends physical effort with quiet reflection, and standing at the top always feels like a reward earned step by step.
The descent was kinder on the lungs, a little harder on the knees, and filled with that gentle glow that comes after doing something meaningful — something that stays with you long after the day ends.
Day 25 was a climb, a challenge, and a reminder of what steady determination can do. A day we’ll remember not just for the steps, but for the feeling at the top.
9 December 2025 – Day 26 — Trains, Sunflowers & Another Night at Z‑One
Day 26 was one of those gentle travel days — nothing rushed, nothing dramatic, just small adventures strung together with good weather and easy company.
The morning drive took us out to Khok Salung Railway, a long curve of track skimming the edge of the water. We walked the viaduct‑style bridge, the breeze coming off the lake, the rails humming quietly underfoot. Then came the moment everyone waits for — the train appearing in the distance, rounding the bend with that slow, confident approach that makes the whole scene feel cinematic. We stood back, watched it glide past, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of being in exactly the right place at the right time.
From there, we continued on to the Aquatic Animal Exhibition at Pa Sak Chonlasit Dam. A small, quirky stop — colourful displays, fish tanks, and a few unexpected photo spots, including those giant sunflowers that seem designed purely for cheerful holiday snapshots. Light, fun, and very Thailand.
By afternoon we were back at the hotel for a rest — the kind of pause that makes the day feel balanced — before heading out again once the sun dipped.
The evening belonged to Z‑One night markets, now familiar but still full of energy. Lights strung overhead, food stalls sizzling, music drifting through the air, and that playful mix of art installations, themed zones, and people just enjoying the night. We wandered, snacked, explored, and soaked up the atmosphere — relaxed, colourful, and easy. One interesting find was the patriotic Thai TShirt we found re the war zone we were approaching in the next few days
Day 26 didn’t need big moments. It was a day of small scenes — a train on a curve, sunflowers by the water, fish tanks at the dam, and a night market glowing under the lights. A gentle, good‑feeling day.
10 December 2025 – Day 27 — A Cessna on a Boulder & A Quiet Lopburi Kind of Day
Day 27 stayed close to home — a relaxed Lopburi day with just enough curiosity and colour to make it memorable.
The morning outing took us to Wat Weluwan, a temple that immediately earns a place in the “Only in Thailand” category. At the base of the stairs sits a full Cessna aircraft perched confidently on a giant boulder, as if it landed there on purpose and decided to stay. It’s quirky, unexpected, and exactly the kind of temple detail that makes exploring Thailand so endlessly entertaining.
After a wander around the grounds and a few photos of the plane‑on‑a‑rock marvel, the rest of the day unfolded gently. No big agenda, no long drives — just an easy afternoon back in Lopburi, resting, recharging, and enjoying the slower pace.
As evening rolled in, we headed out once again to Z‑One night markets, now a familiar favourite. The lights, the food stalls, the themed corners, the relaxed buzz — it all made for a simple, satisfying end to the day. Dinner, a wander, a bit of people‑watching, and that warm night‑market atmosphere that always feels welcoming.
Day 27 was light, local, and easy — a small adventure, a quirky temple surprise, and a comfortable evening in a place that’s starting to feel like a second home.
11 December 2025 – Day 28 — Rain, Roads & Rolling Into Korat
Day 28 began under an unusual sky — rain, steady and persistent, the kind you don’t often see this time of year. It kept the temperatures down and wrapped the morning in a soft grey light as we packed up and prepared for the drive to Korat.
We left the hotel around 9 am, the Fortuner settling into its familiar hum as we made our way east. The road was quiet, the landscape washed clean by the rain, and the whole drive had that calm, slightly reflective feeling that comes with long stretches of open road.
Along the way we stopped at Wat Kaeng Khoi, a temple with a few unexpected touches — including a tribute to the River Kwai and a large reclining Buddha tucked inside one of the halls. The rain followed us there too, adding a gentle soundtrack to the visit.
A little further on, we pulled into a PTT station for fuel. The Fortuner was performing beautifully — our notes proudly recorded the moment:
“Economy looking good 👍 8.3l/100kms.”
A small victory, but a satisfying one.
From there it was back on the road, the rain easing as Korat drew closer. We arrived at the Centara Hotel Korat around mid‑afternoon, checked in, and let the day slow down. After a rest, we wandered into the connected shopping centre for dinner — easy, convenient, and exactly what a rainy travel day calls for.
Day 28 was simple and steady — a day of roads, rain, temples, and a comfortable hotel waiting at the end of it.