ANZAC Day 2009

Hellfire Pass Kanchanaburi Thailand

A very memorable couple of days with one of the highlights being the New Zealand Ambassador's speech at the Dawn Parade which, this year was attended by a record number of people. The service was followed by a traditional Gunfire Breakfast in the carpark of the Hellfire Pass Museum, including a tot of Bundy rum.

Dinner was served this year on the Floating Restaurant beside the Bridge over the River Kwai, complete with the train crossing on cue midway through dinner.

ANZAC 2009 Two Day Tour

ANZAC Day is the only tour we do which is not a private tour. This tour is designed for individuals or small groups to join others who want to be in Kanchanaburi for the Dawn Parade and to attend other services related to ANZAC Day.

Highlights of this two-day tour include

• Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
• Bridge over the River Kwai
• Train along Death Railway
• Resort on or near River Kwai
• Hellfire Pass
• Dawn Parade in Konyu Cutting
• Wreath Laying Ceremony at War Cemetery
• Lunch on Floating Restaurant

Day One

We'll pick you up from your hotel between 07:30 - 09:00 and drive through to the War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi.

From there we'll go to the Bridge over the River Kwai where you can take a walk on the bridge and get some great photos.

We'll continue up to Thaklien, where you can have a close look at the construction of the 'Death Railway' before boarding the train for the spectacular rail journey over the Wang Pho Viaduct.

Somewhere along the way we'll fit in lunch, either before or after the train, depending on whether it's late or not. It frequently is.

From there we'll head up to Hellfire Pass where you can wander through the Museum and walk down into Konyu Cutting.

We'll check in to the floating hotel and resort around 4:00 and head down to the Floating Restaurant beside the Bridge over the River kwai for dinner at 6:00. First round is on us so don't be late.

No evening activity is planned as we have an early start in the morning.

Day Two

We'll leave the resort at 04:00. If you're late you'll be walking as this is the one time we will not wait for the stragglers.

First stop is the Hellfire Pass Museum carpark and from there you'll be able to walk down into Konyu Cutting where the memorial is. The Australian Army has recently completed a new walkway down into the cutting which has made things a lot easier. You can say a quiet word of thanks to them on the way down. However, You'll still need decent shoes because the rail bed is stony and the rocks are hard on your feet.

The Dawn Parade Service commences at 05:30 and lasts approximately 30 - 35 minutes. When everyone arrives back up at the carpark they will be greeted with hot tea & coffee together with a traditional shot of Bundaberg Rum.

Around 08:00 we'll journey back to the resort for a well-earned breakfast and then later in the morning head down to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery for the wreath-laying ceremony, which starts at 11:00.

The Australian and New Zealand Embassies take turns in providing some hospitality following this service and it is the turn of the Kiwis this year.

Lunch will be served on the Floating Restaurant and when everyone has had their fill and a suitable time for making new acquaintances or renewing old ones, we'll take you back to Bangkok. You could expect to be back in the early evening.

Bookings

ANZAC 2009 falls on a Saturday, so we have record numbers booked. If you want to go now, you'll have to call Dennis on 081 810 8597 to check availability of rooms.

This tour includes modern A/C bus or van; English-speaking guide; train ticket; lunch both days; dinner; breakfast & resort accommodation on twin share/double basis. (Single room is available at twin rate)

Exclusions: Alcohol; tips for guide, driver and waitresses.

ANZAC Day Tour for Working Expats

One Day Tour

For those expats who are working, it is possible to do a one day tour to Kanchanaburi, visiting both Hellfire Pass and the War Cemetery, on ANZAC Day. This tour will leave from the front of Wall Street Bar in Sukhumvit Soi 33 at 01:00 am in order to be at the Dawn Parade in time and you can expect to be back in Bangkok about 5:30 pm in time for Wall Street's service at 6:00.

Program looks like this:

• 0100 Depart from Wall Street Bar in Sukhumvit Soi 33. Van will depart exactly on time!
• 0415 Arrive Hellfire Pass for Dawn Parade
• 0630 Hot Toddies at Hellfire Pass Museum
• 0800 Breakfast in Kanchanaburi
• 1100 Wreath-laying Ceremony at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
• 1230 Lunch in Floating Restaurant
• 1500 Depart for Bangkok
• 1730 Arrive back in Bangkok

If you want to join this tour, call Dennis now on 081 810 8597 to secure a seat.