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By the light of a bamboo candle
I tried to take a picture of a this man trying to read the plaque on the wall of Hellfire Pass with only his bamboo candle for light. It's a bit blurry but I like the feeling from the blur. As each person entered the Pass they were given a fat piece of bamboo about 12 inches long. It was hollow with a section cut out on one side to form a window. Inside the window was a candle and these were our "torches" for the service.
By bamboo light
There are 2 ways to enter the Pass to the memorial: down the steps from the top of the hill where the museum sits or a short tuktuk ride around the hill and then a long, but level, walk in from the other end. This morning I took the ride since I'd never walked that part of the track. Every few feet there were simple bamboo oil lamps like this one providing a small amount of light. Fortunately I had brought along a flashlight to supplement.
The monument in the Pass
There were so many wreaths the monument was almost covered over.
Leaving the Pass
45 minutes after the service had ended I climbed to the rise just above the pass and took this shot of the crowd still around the monument. Notice the bamboo torches are still burning because it's only about 6:30 and the sun is up but not that bright yet. I added some daylight with my flash.
A simple plaque
Off to the side of the neatly manicured rows of solemn markers, framed by a trimmed green hedge, is a large stone marker as tall as me and twice as long. Only a few simple words are etched on the stone: Their names liveth for evermore. But no names are etched on the stone. Instead, at the base of the marker is this simple plaque which seems to aptly define the character of those buried here.
Survivors
I was as dumbstruck on meeting these guys as any schoolgirl meeting her Hollywood idol. All I could think to say was "Thank you." So many men either didn't survive their Japanese captivity or died shortly after their release, yet these guys, and others like them, have survived, thrived, and outlived their former captors. They are all so unassuming and each will tell you the mental/emotional determination is what got them through.
Pride of the ANZACs
Didn't get to meet this gentlemand but loved the dashing uniform.
Buglers
The Royal Thai Army provided buglers for both services.
Waltzing Matilda
The pipers form up to lead the standard bearer and honor guard off the field.
Remembering US POWs too
Even though they weren't Aussies, a wreath was laid at the bridgeside memorial to the US POWs who died on the Thai-Burma Railroad.
Dinner on the ground
My dear Thai "family" brought food/dishes/cookware to my dorm room and cooked a final Thai meal for us. The 6 of us sat on the floor around our "table" and ate a delicious meal (chicken livers & those little corns were my favorite). Watch the sauce - pet mok mok!
Downloading Memphis
My farewell gift from Pete was a music download featuring "Walking in Memphis". Here he is at the dinner party working at my bed/desk.
Bags are packed & waiting by the door
Wide view of my room in the teacher's dorm. My computer/entertainment center is sitting in the middle of my bed/desk.
Final sunset
My last sunset out the window of my room
This one's for Mary
Backstreet Used Books
Yet another used book store. This one had a display about Elvis and pictures of when he visited Thailand in the 60s.
Gecko Used Books
One of 4 branches in Chiang Mai
Big Mango Books
A used book store in the city
Ringing in the new year at the temple
Hey, it's not all about the water. There are certain observances at the temple as well, such as this.
Had to put this one in for Alice
It was a wet day for all
Rooftop of Thailand
Waterfalls at Doi Inthanon
One of the larger falls in the park. Just behind me on a rock is one of the largest snakes I've seen in Thailand.
We made it to the border
Me and one of the boys from Sri Lanka standing at the border of Myanmar.
Snake Medicine
Whiskey with rattlesnakes and scorpions. No, I didn't try it, but my new friends from Sri Lanka said it was great!
The walking bridge to Laos
I did not have much faith in this bridge but bamboo is deceptively strong. Still, it did have a lot of bounce to it.
Me in the middle of 2 rivers
I finally got to ride down the river in a long tail boat. I rode in the bow and you are sitting just inches from the water and moving fast. I was grateful for the life jacket.
The hot spring geyser
The smell of sulfur was really strong
Not the train I rode up the mountain
This is the new "orient express" fancy railway that runs through Thailand. It's a beautiful train and one day I do want to ride it. When I'm rich.
Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home
Parade in the train shed
Ready to soak anything that moved - especially teachers
Don't let the innocent face fool you
This little one loved soaking me several times
At the end of the day you're all wet
Those adorable little children turn into soaker crazed maniacs
Sorry I couldn't be there for the St. Pat's Party - I'm sure it was a blowout.
An Appropriate place for a prayer for peace
This peace pole is just to the side of the entrance to the JEATH museum. The museum is a recreation of a POW hut and houses items and info about the camps.
Bridge was from Japan
Somewhere in my reading at the museum I recall reading that they used a bridge from Japan that was taken apart there and brought to Thailand. Guess this is it.
Hey, that looks like a label.
Yeah, it runs.
Do You Read Japanese?
Classic Wheels
My Hero
They tell me he's on the small side, that I haven't seen a big cobra yet. I told them I could go the rest of my life with just the memory of this one.
Defending His Territory
Yes, Mr. Snake, I'm getting out of your way!
Snake!!
I think I hear something in the grass
River Kwai Bridge Depot
Ticket Window near the bridge
The 7am to Bangkok
I like this shot b ecause you see the monk taking a photo from down below.
American POWs Monument
A small monument near the bridge recognizing the small contingent of US POWs who took part in the building of the railway.
Chinese soldiers monument
Looking down from the bridge near the water's edge is this one lonely monument. Took this shot looking between the struts of the trestles.
Japanese War Monument
Even though it was in a park like setting, it seemed neglected and sad.
The War Cemetery
Looking down into the cemetery from the 2nd floor window of the war museum
An impressive gravesite
Inside the Chinese cemetery
The Chinese Cemetery
Even the gate is pretty impressive
Mr. Lizard
If you ever see this guy on the sidewalk - move!
WW II Air Raid Shelter at the zoo
I think every zoo should have one, don't you? After the war instead of removing the shelter they just made it into an exhibit.
A cat statue for Ann
A (Siamese?) cat at the base of the Temple of Dawn
Me on top of the Temple of Dawn
Took this one in case I fell down the steps getting back to earth!
Water Taxi
No, this is not the water taxi I was riding. This is one of the many taxis on the river. All the "nice" hotels have very nice taxis like this one with uniformed staff and real teak wood chairs.
Watch out for that wascaslly wabbit too!
Sign outside the gates of the Grand Palace
The Golden Chedi at the Grand Palace
It's covered in gold painted glass tiles. Up close it's nearly blinding.
The Grand Palace
Nobody's home. They live at Chitralada Palace
Kinnara fountain
at the opposite end of the moat
Kinnari Fountain
Somehow this isn't how I visulaized a moat
For Ann again
Hope this clears up any questions
The Little Fellers
The Whole Herd
I Swear He Reached For Me With His Trunk
A closer look
He (she?) did not like the camera getting so close.
My roommate
See him in the corner?
Elephant rides
There was a big festival in the park at Ayuttaya and for 100baht you too could ride the elephant. Didn't look like a really comfortable ride to me so I passed.
A new budha
I have never seen pigs in a temple but I thought maybe if I made him an offering I would be blessed with a really good pork barbecue sandwich.
Exhausted
The ruins in the background are the ancient capital of Thailand. The big sweaty ruin in the foreground is me. Yes I had the GPS, of course
Reclining Budha
More decorations
A closer look at one of my favorite of the store-bought decorations
Happy New Year
Long view of the decorated walkway
Immigration map
Smoke em if you got em!
So that's what happened to the guy on the horse in the cigarette ads
Only one?
But where is here?
And there's always the rice
Who knew there were so many kinds of rice in the world?
Say you like your frog legs fresh?
I've cropped the picture so the cooker doesn't show, but these guys are waiting by the fire like lobsters in a tank at the seafood restaurant.
Ready for a chicken dinner?
Bird eggs
What the chef serves
Bird eggs
What's left behind
Ol' Fish Eye and a few of his kin
Here's looking at you, kid!
Apples
Almost an apple
Coke is the 1
Yes, even here it's number one.
Mosquito Credo
A new kind of classroom rule for me
Shoes
Which would you pick?
On the steps of the Stupka
Golden Stupka
Seeing the sights of Vientiane
Standing Budha
Any doubt he's the tallest guy in town?
Me and the emperor
Well, you know how I like a really "solid" kind of guy.
Sky Train
The only way to get anywhere in downtown Bangkok.
Sign by the door at the Atlanta
Gotta stay here next time I'm in Bangkok
A pretty famous hotel with a notorious reputation
Southernmost tip of Asia
Found this spot facing the Singapore Straits on my visit in October.
TNWAVE
Yes, that's me in the 80s - a Tennessee girl serving in the US Navy.
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