Tuesday

Today we left the city behind and struck out for the countryside. We left early to avoid the crowd and zipped right on out going against the traffic. Our first stop was to a coconut plantation which made all sorts of things from coconut. We got some coconut candy that tasted like Jim's mother's pralines without the pecans. Yum. Next we went to the floating market which was so much fun. They sell all sorts of produce and products from little boats along the canal. We had some time to shop the little stalls around the canal and Ya got us fried bananas that the lady made while we waited and it was really good. He is great about Discovery Events.
Next we went to a woodworking shop and we watched the artists carving beautiful things, from elephant statues as big as a chair to pieces of furniture to small things. We trekked on to the RiverKwai where we had lunch out under a pavillion beside the river and bridge. Then we got to walk on the bridge which was more daunting than I expected because we could see the water below. There was an elephant on the other side of the bridge which surprised us-he was there to use as a ride for the owners to make money but was tied down in their yard when we saw him. THen we went to the JEATH museum which told the story of the Death railroad during WWII. It was started by a buddhist monk that was a Japanese guard during the war and had a a change of heart. Then we went to the cemetary for the soldiers and it was very sobering, to say the least. Then it was on to our hotel which was about an hour along the way-when we were almost there, guess what was in the road! It was a family of monkeys! We pulled off and Ya got out the rest of the fruit we had left after his fruit demonstration on the bus. So we got a great discovery event with the monkeys! There were moms with babies and all sorts and shapes and sizes. What fun! It made my day!Our resort is very nice, right on the river Kwai. And it does have wireless in the lobby so am writing this at breakfast and cutting corners. It was a great day yesterday though. Our rooms are basic but have a neat spa like bathroom. I will try to put a couple of photos on before stopping this AM and getting ready to go for another day.