15 December 2024
After the sheer adrenaline rush of Underup 2024, today was dedicated to embracing the art of taking it easy—a skill we’ve fine-tuned over years of road trips and adventures.
The morning kicked off with a breathtaking sunrise, streaks of gold melting into the clouds over a glamping channel, painting the sky in a way that even the best Instagram filters couldn’t do justice.
With a slower pace in mind (and maybe just a touch of lingering exhaustion), we set our sights on Wat Phra Dhammakaya—a temple so massive that it needs its own traffic control system just to keep visitors flowing in the right direction. Last time we visited, we hadn’t left enough time to take it all in properly, and considering the sheer scale of this place, we knew we had to return for a proper wander.
This isn’t just your average temple—it’s a sprawling masterpiece, boasting 150 buildings spread across a whopping 800 acres.
The centrepiece, the Dhammakaya Cetiya, is the definition of awe-inspiring, gleaming with 300,000 Buddha images on the exterior and hiding another 700,000 within its dome. That’s a million Buddhas in one place. Wrap your head around that!
But first—fuel. No great adventure starts without a solid dose of caffeine, so we grabbed a Café Amazon coffee and a trusty 7-Eleven muffin to get us moving. Nothing fancy, but reliable enough to keep us marching towards our temple exploration.
We kicked off the visit by strolling through the front section, admiring the perfectly maintained fountains, snapping a few obligatory photos, and soaking in the tranquil atmosphere. Then it was time to hop into the trusty Fortuna, which, let’s be honest, has been through more dirt roads and unexpected detours than it probably signed up for.
Next stop—the Master Nun Chandra building, a striking sphere of architectural perfection, pristine and immaculately kept, standing like some futuristic monument of serenity.
From there, it was onto the Dhammakaya Cetiya, which—let’s be real—has the scale and organisation of a well-planned football stadium. If temples had grand finals, this would host the ultimate showdown of enlightenment.
The sheer magnitude was mind-boggling, but what truly put things into perspective was coming across historical photos showing the temple full to capacity. Imagine waves of worshippers gathered in synchronised meditation—an unforgettable sight.
With our minds suitably blown and our legs sufficiently worn out, we decided to head back to the hotel for a lazy afternoon. But not before tracking down lunch at a local Robinsons, because no adventure should end with an empty stomach.
By dinnertime, hunger had well and truly set in, so after capturing a few night photos (because you never know when you’ll need extra content for the webpage), we scoped out a local café for a top-notch serving of Pad Kapow Moo.
Tummies full, feet sore, and a new appreciation for the sheer scale and grandeur of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, we called it a night
16 December 2024
Today’s drive was a quick hop over to Kanchanaburi, so no need to rush—we let Bangkok’s peak-hour madness settle before rolling out at 10 am. By noon, we had pulled into our hotel, dropped off the bags, and made a beeline to BigC for a KFC lunch.
Now, we’ve had KFC in plenty of places, but we reckon this might be one of the friendliest KFCs in Thailand—so good, in fact, we’re already planning our return visit!
With an afternoon to spare, we set off to explore some local temple favourites.
First stop: Wat Ban Tham, a temple that takes “grand entrance” to a whole new level—you climb a mountain through the belly of a dragon! We took on the stairs, earned every drop of sweat, and were rewarded at the top with an absolutely stunning view of the Mae Klong River stretching out below.
Not a bad way to get the blood pumping.
Next stop: Wat Tham Faet, a temple perched high enough to offer excellent views of its neighbour, Wat Tham Khao Noi.
This one was less about stair-climbing heroics and more about taking in the scenery—which was nothing short of spectacular.
As the afternoon mellowed into evening, we headed back to the River Kwai Bridge to catch the sunset, soaking in the golden glow before rounding off the night with a bit of local indulgence.
First up: *Prisoner of War Camp” eatery for a Chang beer (or two)—because nothing says “great day” like a cold beer in the evening air.
But that was just the warm-up for the main event at Coco River, where we tucked into dinner and got treated to live music. The band kicked off at 8 pm, and for the first 30 minutes, we were the only patrons—which meant it was up to us to hype them up however we could. Challenge accepted!
With tummies full, beers enjoyed, and a bit of impromptu musical encouragement under our belts, we finally called it a night—ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.
17 December 2024
Nothing kicks off a road trip like a full tank, so this morning’s mission was clear—fill ‘er up at PTT before heading into the mountains, where petrol stations are about as rare as a traffic-free day in Bangkok. 30 litres of diesel @ 33.19 baht, locked and loaded!
Also noted this cool sticker on a pole.
By 10 am, we were westward bound, and first up was a leg-stretching stop at Wat Khao Khae Theo Nimit—a chance to shake off the morning stiffness and pretend we were disciplined temple explorers (before inevitably reverting to sweaty tourists).
At 11:30 am, we arrived at Phuttha Chethiya Khiri Pagoda, a temple teetering atop a limestone outcrop with a steep staircase designed to test both our stamina and decision-making skills. The climb was a proper calf-burner, but the view at the top was worth every huffed breath—clear blue skies, zero smoke or dust, and a proper “Wow, we did it!” moment.
By 2 pm, we rolled into our hotel, passing by the picturesque Mon Bridge, a lake-side gem in Sangkhla Buri. After check-in, we wandered about, taking in the sights, nodding approvingly at scenic spots, and generally soaking up the good vibes.
By 3:30 pm, we had settled into balcony mode—feet up, drinks in hand, and fully embracing the fine art of relaxation. By 4:30 pm, it was time for a Mon Bridge sunset, so we tracked down a café with a prime view, ordered dinner, and let the golden glow of the evening set the scene. Oh, and of course, a Chang or two—because hydration is important.
One of the best parts of the evening? Seeing young kids in traditional clothing come out for sunset—an absolute highlight. We even made a new mate, showing them the sacred Aussie traditions of the fist bump and high five. We like to think we contributed to international goodwill, one friendly gesture at a time.
With tummies full, new friends made, and the perfect sunset wrapped up, we called it a night—ready for whatever adventures tomorrow had in store.
18 – 20 December 2024
Waking up at 5am? Absolute madness—until you step outside and see that eerie, misty lake looking like something out of a dream. Stunning. Worth every groggy blink.
The next hour was a proper delight—getting dressed, stretching out the morning stiffness, and wandering down to the Bridge. The monks glided in with their quiet grace, accepting offerings, while the tourists swanned about in their traditional Mon Bridge outfits, looking equal parts elegant and slightly unsure of their sartorial choices.
And so, the routine was born—three mornings of this magical mix. Each day, we found ourselves swept up in the energy of the groups, laughing, chatting, and probably taking a few too many photos.
Drive to Three Pagoda Pass
We set off on a day trip to Three Pagoda Pass, yet another fascinating Thai border crossing—this time with Myanmar.
Now, Three Pagoda Pass is a bit of an odd one. The Thai border juts into Myanmar like a rectangle, creating this curious little pocket where Myanmar shops spill right onto the edge. Wandering through the stalls, surrounded by the scent of sizzling street food and shelves stacked with trinkets, we suddenly realised—technically, we were in Myanmar. No passport stamps required, just a casual stroll across invisible lines.
The vendors were more than happy to take Thai Baht, so we grabbed some snacks and souvenirs before glancing just over the border, where giant hotels and flashy casinos loomed in the distance. A whole different world sitting just a few metres away.
In a happy coincidence, we bumped into some familiar faces—the friends we’d made that morning on Mon Bridge. A proper little reunion in an unexpected spot.
On the way back, we pulled up at Songkalia River, kicked off our shoes, and let our feet soak in the cool water. A couple of Leo Beers in hand, we took a moment to admire the lineup of local 4WDs and bikes—proper rugged machines built for adventure.
By lunchtime, we were back in Sangkhla Buri, weaving through a lively market before heading back to our hotel for a well-earned cruisy afternoon.
Walk around Sangkhla Buri and visit the temples
Chance Meeting
We had a change meeting of a wonder Brendan and Matthanee. Brendan is Australian and his lovely thai partner Matthanee. We met up for evening drinks at a cafe near mon bridge and had a wonderful time with them. Would have loved to have spent more time with them.
Goodbye Mon Bridge Sangkhla Buri
On the morning of December 20, we bid farewell to Mon Bridge, reflecting on the incredible experience we had there. The serene beauty, warm hospitality, and unforgettable sights made it a truly special stay. With one last glance at the iconic wooden bridge, we set off towards another border crossing, ready for the next leg of our journey before returning to Kanchanaburi.
You can relive the memories through our Sangkhla Buri photo gallery— click here to explore.