A traveller's reflection: Route 12: Day 04

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Route 12: Day 04 - Kanchanaburi

“Do not let making a living prevent you from making a life...” – John Wooden

(Mallika Ancient Village)

Day 04: 21 April 2025 (Monday)
Route: Kanchanaburi Tour
Distance: 50 km
Hotel: Kanchanaburi Hop Inn

Today we decided to spend time visiting several attractions in Kanchanaburi, some we have not visited during our previous trips here.

Our first destination was Mallika City 1905 A.D. Mallika is the retro-city reflecting the past Siamese lifestyle in the Chao Phraya River Basin. Mallika ancient city has been restored and maintained to its former glory – giving both locals and foreigners the opportunity to experience what it was like living in ancient Siam. The entrance fee was THB200/pax inclusive a pack of sticky rice and 20% discount at the Black Canyon Cafè.

(The entrance of Mallika Ancient City)

(The layout of the ancient city)

(One of the many market places)

It is a living museum where you get to walk around and interact with the villagers, staff dressed in ancient costumes, and even play the role of villager yourself if you decide to rent and wear the ancient costumes. You could walk around and mingled with these villagers and really feel as if you have travelled back in time

(Floating market, an eatery by the river)

(A wooded house bridge)

There were several market zones that were considered famous and modern for the era. They are Prange or Intersection zone, divided into three sections, Prange Nara, Prange Phuthorn, and Prange Sappasart, Yaowarat zone and Bangrak zone.

(The Saphan Han across the river)

(Shops selling crafts and local products)

The City Tower was simulated from the prison tower which was built to create an elevated observation point for supervising and preventing prisoner escapes. It is nowadays used as a scenery point of the Mallika city.

(The City Tower)

(A scenic view of the City Tower by the river)

Reuan Khahabodi displays lifestyle of ruling class, including various activities such as fruit & vegetable carving, flower & banana leaf decoration, and etc. All products are actually used and sold in the Mallika city. In the area of Reaun Khahabodi, there is its supplement part, “Reuan Krua”, Traditional Thai Kitchen to provide food for all residents and guests.

(Reuan Khahabodi, a house for the rich and famous)

Thai traditional dance team to perform for their important visitors was also a popular idea among noblemen then. Mallika City has the largest Reuan Hmoo in Thailand. It displays the living condition of these traditional Thai dancing team; their activities during day and night.

(Mallika Village tradional dancers)

(Floating houses)

As it was so hot and humid we were sweating buckets. We made a quick round and did not stay too long in the ancient city. Once we were outside, we had cool iced coffee and Caramel latte to quench our thirst at the Black Canyon Cafe.

(Rickshaws for hire)

(Black Canyon Cafè)

(Iced coffee and cheese cake)

While waiting for our drinks to be prepared, we had the opportunity to visit a small museum and exhibition room located next to the cafe.

(A life-size model)

(A model of a famous person)

(Exhibition of tradional costumes)

From Mallika Ancient City, we drove back to town and stopped to have a sumptuous lunch at Zubair Farm Islamic Food Kitchen.

(A halal restaurant in Kanchanaburi)

(Nasi goreng and tom yam)

After lunch and prayer break in the hotel, we drove to the giant Monkey Pod Tree, 23 km from our hotel. It is located inside the Royal Thai Army’s Division of Veterinary and Agriculture.This giant tree is a 20-meter-tall single rain tree, aged older than 100 years. The shady canopy is measured about more than 50 meters in diameter, which means it crowns over an area of about 2,400 square meters.

(A description of the giant tree)

(A beautiful giant rain tree)

As usual, when we are in Kanchanaburi we will visit the infamous Bridge Over the River Kwae. Bought a pair of t-shirts and sun-gkasses from the souvenir shops.

(Bridge Over the River Kwae)

(The signage to River Kwae bridge)

Next stop was at Luxury Hotel to have some photo shots. This hotel is one of our favorite hotel to stay until the Covid 19 pandemic when it closed its operation for quite some time. We were surprised that it has started business again since a few months back.

(Luxury Hotel is back in business)

Tonight we had dinner of Nasi kuning ayam at the Kanchanaburi Night Market. The halal stall is still where it used to be. The Pakcik Haji is still up and about. Business as usual after more than a decade since we were first here in 2011.