Saturday 20th March
Breakfast at the guesthouse & then air-conditioned trip today, think I miss our songthaew. We are on our way to the Erawan Waterfalls, 7 tiers, very spectacular. So many fish & they nibble on your toes, the water is very blue in places, it has something to do with the limestone & deposits in the water. The guys bottom left bugged us to take their photo, had been drinking & were really looking to get what they could. We moved on pretty quick.
	Erawan National Park and Waterfall With its spectacular seven tiered waterfalls, Erawan National Park is one of the most popular natural attractions in the country. Located about 65 km northwest of Kanchanaburi town along Route 3199, the 550-sq-km park is situated in the Tenasserim Hills running along the Thai-Burmese border.
Mixed species deciduous forests with occasional stands of bamboo characterize the park. More than 80 species of bird have been sighted, as well as gibbon, slow loris, macaque and rhesus monkey. The highlight of the park is undoubtedly the multi-level waterfall, one of the most powerful and beautiful in the country. The various tiers have deep pools, ideal for swimming, and the area abounds in ferns, orchids and other wild plants. To fully appreciate the beauty of the falls, you should take the winding trail up to the top and most magnificent level. The seventh tier is said to resemble the shape of Erawan, the three-headed elephant of Hindu mythology, and from which the park draws its name. Actually, Erawan Waterfall is not one but a series of waterfalls, ponds and streams. One can see beautiful birds and colourful butterflies flitting around. According to a publication of the Tourist Authority of Thailand, "the call of birds and the sound of flowing stream would be very tempting and romantic for sweet-hearted couples inevitably". The curling vines up on the cliff look lovely and impressive. Erawan Waterfall, widely regarded as being one of Thailand's loveliest cascades. Seven tiers of sparkling water cascade down grand stairways of mossy boulders framed by ivy curtain and green jungle growth. There are scores of pools along the down stream, where one can take a cool plunge in the refreshing spring water. A mountainside forest setting includes dense bamboo groves which support numerous bird species.
George & Marian enjoying a swim, with the fish nibbling on their toes & the pounding waterfall.
This guy was very persistent, told him no film left, mai chi, not yes, & showed camera. We eventually left that area & he didn't follow. Beautiful scenery as you can see.
Back to the guesthouse for lunch, more of Tom Yum Gai, I just love that soup & also fresh spring rolls, I could never eat an ordinary spring roll again after that, they were delicious. We then went to the bus depot to catch a bus back to Bangkok. We were told 10 minutes til the bus left so Damien went off to get something. Panic stations! they started loading the bus, so we got our bags on & found our seats & then we are trying to tell the driver he can't leave & he's saying he has to. We held him up long enough for Damien to get back but we were getting worried. We had no idea where we were going or what to do so were very relieved when Damien got on the bus.
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