Upstairs, downstairs

 We hired a songthaew and driver for the day, determined to see what Kanchanaburi had to offer apart from atrocity-linked artefacts. 

Before long, we'd left the city behind and were making our way to Wat Ban Tham, or Dragon Head Cave Temple.

It's a thigh-twanging 900 steps up to the top. On the way up, you pass through caves full of statues of the Buddha. 

In one of the caves, a monk was on hand, presumably to offer a spiritual lift for the short of breath.

Sadly, he was busy playing Angry Birds on his phone so we were forced to continue unblessed.

About two thirds of the way up, I could take no more.  

In a manner reminiscent of Captain Oates, I urged JB to go on without me.

If you look closely at where the arrow is pointing, you may just be able to make out a flushed but triumphant JB.

With barely any time to recuperate (and no oxygen cylinders available), we continued with the tour.

The guide book had warned us that our next stop, Wat Tham Suea or Tiger temple is accessed by yet more stairs (if you build them, we will climb them), but not to worry, there is a funicular railway up to the top.

It wasn't going anywhere........

We resolutely started climbing. 

The place is stuffed full of tiger images (the clue is in the name I guess...)

Some are better than others...

The temple is famous for its enormous Buddha. (18m high)

Unfortunately, he had the builders in.

Hopefully once they've finished him, they'll make a start on the funicular railway. 

The temples themselves were very impressive .

But best of all, we found a cave with a blessing-willing monk. (It's made no difference to my knees yet...)

Last stop was to stare at the marvel known as 'The Giant Tree'.

Prepared to be disappointed, (as ever) we cautiously approached.

This Tree is MASSIVE. Seriously.  

I suspect it may have its own postcode.

Overall then, a good day out and definitely railway-free.

Bonus content:

There were all kinds of animal statues dotted around the temple grounds.

Here's a cockatoo.

I trust you can make your own jokes.