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Published: October 12th 2008
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After the scam of yesterday I was quite apprehensive about today and when the mini bus which was coming to collect us was half an hour late I panicked a little. Once on the air-conditioned minibus (not really the way travellers should be travelling - I expected to be on a cramped bus with chickens) everything went smoothly.
We were on a bus with 3 other tourists (2 men from Iraq and a girl from Canada called Iris), the driver and a tour guide who explained what we would be doing that day. All sounded good and along the way we all got chatting about our different experiences so far which passed the time quickly!
FIRST STOP - Floating Market
This was exactly as it sounds and so amazing! We caught a long motor powered boat to the market and then we all paid 150 baht to take a boat down the market. the boat was manned by an oarsman at the back and was like a big Canadian canoe! On either side of the canal were rafts with people on manning stalls selling everything from hats to souvenirs to clothes and jewellery! As well as tourists being taken
down and up the river in boats, some boats were selling food such as fruit and meat and drinks! It was packed and often the boats would jam as they all tried to get passed one another!!
The two men from Iraq were brilliant at bartering. We had been told to roughly half the first price offered but they went in with 20% and stuck to it! After being offered one hat for 650 Baht, he went straight in with 100 Baht. Every time the seller came lower he stuck with 100 baht and eventually got it. All good natured and so interesting. Quite a culture shock to see and really funny to watch the haggling of prices! The sellers were very keen to sell and if you expressed the slightest interest as your boat passed they would literally put a big hook out and pull you in! I bought some fresh Pineapple - heaven on earth!!
The floating market was definitely the best thing I had seen on my travels so far!!!
SECOND STOP - Wood factory
After being back on the bus for a short while we went to a nearby wood factory to watch
how the wood was made and carved! Intricate work! Some of the wooden furniture was amazing and looked like something Fred Flintstone would have owned! I would need a damn big house to fit it in anyway! The rocking chair was the best!
LUNCH
We stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch specifically designed for bus tours. We ate a Thai style buffet with rice and was good because we got to experience different Thai foods. It was really nice especially two dishes and surprisingly, I cleared my plate!
THIRD STOP - Tiger temple
After lunch we visited Tiger temple. This was a place owned by monks and they had been given lots of animals such as Tigers to look after as their mums and dads had been shot by poachers and would not have survived in the wild. The tigers were also bred there so they had quite a number from cubs to adults. As you walked around you could see all the other animals roaming the grounds which lived there too such as wild boar, deer, water buffalo and cows. A lion and a bear had also come to live there recently as well but they
were caged as they had not been tamed long.
When we got there we had to sign a disclaimer for personal injury and damage to clothing caused by the animals. We also had to cover up and wear trousers and long sleeves so as not to tempt the animals....this did not fill me with confidence!!!
I was petrified. I am not the best with animals but was determined to see them. As we walked towards the big tigers first I felt like I was a Gladiator and going into a pit to face whatever danger lay in wait! I picked up some of the earth and smelt it as Maximus did....would I be as brave as him....I doubt it!! As I did the walk to my death (bit dramatic I know but that is what it felt like....) my palms were sweaty and you could practically see my heart beat as it was so fast and hard!
When we got down to the big tigers you had the chance to go sit with them for a photo. The people who looked after the tigers took your photo for you and also stayed with the tiger in case
of any danger. The tigers were fairly subdued however it was apparently because of the mid day heat and the fact that they are nocturnal creatures so more awake and lively at night. I managed to do it though and was so proud but shaking with fear! Sat with a real tiger for a photo!! Move over Maximus!!!
After the adults we went to see the cubs. Really cute however I was still rather anxious. I had another few photos with them and even managed to touch one though I couldn't call it a stroke as I soon moved my hands away. The cubs were more lively that the adults. They were all playing with one another and seemed quite cuddly. Very surreal experience to be so close to real tigers that could kill you if they so wished!
After the tigers we wondered past the other animals amongst the trees and went to see the lion (sat very still,) and the bear! The bear was lively and could not be let out of the cage. He looked cute and I wanted to give him a bear hug but I had to remember that this was a real
live bear and could literally rip your face off!!
The whole experience was exciting and surreal. I was proud of myself for facing my fear of animals...however had it been a dog temple you would not have got me inside for anything!! Tigers -yes, Dogs...no way!!!
FOURTH STOP - The bridge over the river Kwai
The final stop of the day was going to see the Bridge over the river Kwai museum and bridge. This was moving and I read about what happened there and how many people died when building the bridge. It was weird to stand on the bridge for photographs smiling when you think of the suffering people went through when probably stood in exactly the same place. Really interesting though and I managed to walk across the whole bridge and back - taking in the full experience.
EVENING
When we arrived at the hostel (BBs) it was around 7pm. It had been a very long day as we had been up since 5 but thoroughly enjoyable. We felt we needed at least one night out in Bangkok so we got ready and forced ourselves to go out for tea and a few drinks.
We made our way to Silom road which is the main street in Bangkok. We wondered up and down it as there were lots of stalls (again a chance to haggle), bars and restaurants. I got Patai (Thai dish - like a big vegetable stir fry with noodles and egg) from a lady cooking on the street. It cost around 60p - not bad for an evening meal! After that we went in a few bars for some cocktails, spotted some ladyboys and then walked back to the Hostel. We had to be up again in a few hours to catch the train to our next destination!!
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