RhinoTusk

Here's an article published yesterday on the bk.Asia-city.com website http://bk.asia-city.com/travel/article/travel-guide-remembrance-kanchanaburi-thailand?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BK%20Weekend&utm_content=

I believe the hotel owns the soapy massage next door, so as far as I know there is no joiner. My room had double beds, which were Thai size (barely large enough for me) and the mattress was as hard as any I've slept on. But the room was large and good value for 1100. My room was in the back of the hotel, otherwise I would have had difficulty sleeping because of the band in the Niteclub. For my next visit, I want to be more adventurous and try a room over the river.

Soi Lucky Star. Across from Marine Disco, and the Muay Thai boxing ring, past Yakuza burger, JP Bar, and on your right. Alternately, there's a small passageway from Soi BJ that goes past some hair salons and comes out at the convienence store opposite Marine Seafood

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

The Usual Suspects

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Thanks for your comments. As a cautionary note, a place I would avoid is the Tiger Temple. Besides allegations of cruelty, a tourist was attacked just a few months ago. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2407513/Student-19-mauled-400lb-tiger-Thailand-popular-tourist-attraction.html I can't believe they allow this place to remain open, but if anyone chooses to go I suggest after feeding time.

The Pink Panther

Kanchanaburi is a regional city of 35,000 located 130 km west of Bangkok, a picturesque river town with an abundance of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. GETTING THERE Trains and buses depart Bangkok's Thonburi stations, so the most convenient and economical method of transport is a minivan from Victory Monument. Fare was 120 baht for the 2.5 hour journey. ACCOMODATION I booked the River Kwai Hotel online for about 1100 baht, breakfast included. I felt this was good value, although about 1.5 km from the bar area and 4 km from The Bridge. The hotel has Glitzy niteclub, where local Thai bands play extremely loud music until early morning. Fortunately, my room was in the hotel's rear and isolated from the noise. There's also an open-air beer bar on the premises. KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY Centrally located, the cemetery is the permanent resting place of several thousand WWII POWs who made the ultimate sacrifice while working on the Death Railway, an alternate supply line to Burma built by the Japanese at a horrific cost of human life. DOWNTOWN I inquired about a full day tour package that included Erawan Falls and Hell Fire Pass for 890 baht from one of the tour operators but they wouldn't accept a single traveler, so I rented a bicycle from Yanees for 80 baht/day. There was no deposit required since the bike wasn't worth much more, but could brake as long as I wasn't going downhill. The attendant tried to sell me on a bike with basket for only 50 baht, looked in good condition, but it was a girl's bike. I could only think of Phil Silvers and Jonathan Winters in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. "That bike for lady", I protested. The attendants though my reservations very amusing, I'll sniff the seat but I'm not riding. The view of downtown. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI About 3 km outside of town, the bridge made famous by the novel and movie of the same name. Open to pedestrian traffic, but also operational. Make way for the passenger train bound for Nam Tok. This locomotive was used to transport ammunition to Burma Allied bombing destroyed two spans in 1945. The bridge was repaired after the war. Floating restaurants at the foot of the bridge There's a beautiful temple on the opposite side of the river EATS Thanks to Trip Adviser, Nut's Restaurant is now world famous for their pumpkin curry, 100 baht with either chicken or shrimp. DRINK There seemed to be a consistent theme This bar was quite interesting mon, with dudes in dread locks playing reggae mon. I thought I smelled some ganja while walking buy, but maybe just the music. I shot the sheriff. Very cool, mon. Another promotion for 'green' tourism This seems just a bit disrespectful. How about a Muslim equivalent? Nothing hits the spot on a hot afternoon like an ice-cold Thatcher's Gold, 160 baht. In the evening, these bars had some fairly attractive girls. RIVER PARADISE Arriving back at my hotel, sticky and drenched with sweat, I'm ready for a shower. But is there a better alternative? This building, right next to the hotel, looks like a soapy massage. There are only Thais inside. Papasan invites me to sit and order a drink, coke is 40 baht. The topography is poor, it's difficult to scrutinize the girls. There's a fishbowl flanked by two sets of couches. Papasan explains that fishbowl girls are 2000, sideliners on couches to the left are 3000, and sideliners to the right are 3500. There are only 4 fishbowl girls and they've seen better days. About a dozen girls to the left and another half dozen to the right. Some sideliners are very doable but rates are higher than I expected. I select a very cute 3000 girl who speaks absolutely no English at all, but it's not a problem and she treats me to a very nice BBBJ. We shag in multiple positions and I leave feeling quite refreshed. In summary, I really enjoyed my initial visit to this relaxing town, I'll definitely be coming back. Next trip I plan to rent a car and driver to take me to Hell Fire Pass. After walking the route, thinking about all the brave who perished, I'll have the driver drop me at Nam Tok where I'll catch the 2 hour scenic train ride back to Kanchanabui, over the Wang Po viaduct (also built by POWs). Another must see is the Erawan Falls.

I Was a Male War Bride

James Stewart

Cybill Shepherd

Happy New Year!

Being There

I was living in Madison, Wisconsin when they filmed "Back To School" on campus. Robert Downey Jr

"It's a cookbook." Still looks like an alien spaceship.

Thanks for the comments. Here are a few more, mostly from this afternoon

Pics from the farang ghetto, the 'Hood. Ideally situated half way between Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy, an oasis in lower Sukhumvit. Upscale restaruants (17% added to your bill is the norm), trendy discos, but you can still find bar girls (Hillary 3 Bar) and Climax Disco in the basement of the Ambassador Hotel is one of the best places in town for freelancers. For the budget-minded traveler, there's the Soi 11 Guesthouse and Cheap Charlies, a Bangkok institution for 30 years. Bed supper club has closed and the Federal Hotel will soon be replaced by expensive condos, the neighborhood is changing. But there's something for everyone on Soi 11, I call it home. VW minibuses take over the parking lanes and every night is like a block party A quiet and tranquil Sunday morning What's left of the Bed Even the Thai restaurants add 17% surcharges But not off the street Where you can have your sox mended Here's a self-portrait, and there are spas and lots of tug shops Climax Disco, in the basement of the Ambassador Hotel, has live bands and 250 baht cover (includes 1 drink), gets started after midnight Hillary 3 has bar girls Angel City Diner is in the ground floor of The Prime, rent for a one bedroom condo starts at 40,000/month. The sign says 24 hours, but they close at 4:30 AM. The Cheap Charlie cul de sac I've never eaten at this Indian restaurant, just assumed they were trying to warn me. Chez Pape has among the most reasonable prices in town for french cuisine. Weekend lunch specials feature 3 courses with a glass of wine for just 650. (that's 550++) Farang women can have a difficult time attracting attention in this neck of the woods, but I've been in LOS for a decade and can't recall what it means to be sexually frustrated. Q Bar Apotheke features live blues bands, starting around 9:30. No cover, but a Jack & Coke will set you back 250. The open-air bar with the huge brick wall reminds me a bit of Bourbon Street in N'Orleans. Oskar Bistro: Is it a bar or restaurant? Soi 11, it's a nice place to live, sure better than farangland.

Gene Wilder

I had some Snapple Rasberry Tea from Topps but still much prefer Long Island Iced Tea. Who serves the best? The staff in M*A*S*H AGogo used to call me 'Long Island'.

What have Bobby Seale, Eldridge Cleaver, and Huey Newton been brewing?

Jerry Maguire

This show ends tomorrow. Next one is March, I think.

With over 5,000 facebook followers, this is ChingChing Absolutelove https://www.facebook.com/chingching.loveless

This is the last time I'll go on the King's birthday. Huge crowd today.