Me and the tigers!!!

Jose and I took an early tour to the Floating Markets of Damnoen Saduak. This place must have been amazing a few years back before all the tourist came here. Now, it's still good, but is a commercial chaos of wooden canoes (some motorized) with Thai women selling mostly souvenirs, but you can still find some selling fruits, vegetables, meals, etc. There was even a Bollywood movie being filmed there. From there the tour took us to Kanchanaburi to the Jeath War Museum (called like this as the countries involved here in WWII where the Japan, England, Australia, Thailand and Holland), with some artefacts and images from WWII like guns, cars, bicycles, etc. It was interesting to know a little bit more about the history of Kanchanaburi and its involvement on WWII. And then to my most desired destination, The Tiger Temple. I was so excited I was finally going to be able to have a close encounter with this magnificent animals. It was a dream come true, and I was not afraid! When it was my turn one worker took me by the hand and another one took my camera to take photos. I got soooooooo many!!!!!!!! People say that the tigers are drug, as otherwise they wouldn't be so quiet, but they are wrong. First it would be too expensive for the monks, and being buddhist they would never do something like that. What they do is give them food that is not raw, so cooked or boiled, exercise them in the morning, and have plenty of human contact since they are born (as most of them have now been born here).It was such an amazing experience. I had applied to be a volunteer there but they had all the positions for July and August filled up. I was gutted as I really wanted to stay here for a while and enjoy this place. Jose decided to get back to Bangkok and continue to Chiang Mai as soon as possible, but I knew I wanted to stay here for a few days. I checked in at the Jolly Frog Backpackers as recommended by friends. It's a very beautiful place with beautiful views of the river. After a delicius and cheap meal here, I decided to explore a little bit of the town to see what was around and finally I stopped in a bar as they were offering free sangria for the girls (not as good as my mum's one, but it was free so it would do). There I meet a couple of very nice american girls, Allison and Katherina, who where volunteering in hospitals in Thailand for a few weeks.
The following day the 3 of us took a local bus to Erawan National Park to see the famous 7-tiered waterfalls. I think I've now travelled in all possible ways here in Thailand. Done the train, AC bus, local bus (no AC), tuk-tuk, bycicle and motorcicle. The waterfalls where amazing and the 3 of us swam on some of the pools created by the waterfalls. On the 2nd tier when we went to the water, a dozens of little fishes started to bite us which made it very difficult to climb to the slippery rocks. As we were walking from tier to tier the waterfalls where more amazing (my favourite was n. 2 - without the fishes, and number 7). On our way up suddenly a couple of dozens of monkeys came down from the trees to drink water from the river, but mainly to steal food from some people that had brought it into the park (even though it's not permitted). It was very funny to see them stealing and eating some crisps.
Next morning I decided to visit the Burma-Thai Railway Museum as it explains the history behind the construction of the railway line. To give you a little bit of history facts, the train was build during the Japanese occupation of Thailand in WWII. The bridge (famous buy the movie "The bridge over the river Kwai") was resembled by Allied Prisoners of War under japanese supervision. THe bridge was part of the strategic railway rout to Myanmar in which japanese aimed to secure supplies with which to conquer other western Asian countries. Both bridges (wooden and iron one) were badly damaged by Allied plane attachks in 1944 and 1945, but several arches of the iron bridge stood throughout and it was repaired after the war. More than 100.000 people died whilst this railway line was being built, mainly due to malnutrition and other diseases. Then I decided to visit the Allied Cementery where more than 7000 POWs ramins are resting in peace, after being excavated from their original burial places along the railway route. I then decided to rent a motorbike and go to the Elephant camp to have a bath with an elephant, yes, a bath with an elephant. It was another amazing experience. The elephant wanted to play so much so she was throwing me from side to side until I was falling, even though I was graving to her ears strongly. It felt like being on one of those mechanc bulls you find in fairs, but much stronger and in the water. I also learn a few words to say to give her instructions and how to get on top of her. That night I saw one of the volunteers from the tiger temple who told me about the morning programme where you get to play with the cubs. It was a little bit expensive, but I thought, what the hell, I'm here now so I have to enjoy it, and I love tigers, so the next morning I got up at 5.30 so that I had enough time to be at the temple by 7am with some fruit for the monks. We were 5 of us at the temple that day. They brought first the 6-7 month old cubs and 2 min later they brought in the 7 week old baby tigers. They were so cute and I wanted to take one home with me! We formed a circle and play with them. They bite but it doesn't hurt much. The volunteers told us not to let them do it as otherwise they get use to. We then fed the other cubs baby bottles. They are so big already and they are only babies, so cute!!! I've got allergy to cats, so as this are just big cats, I got a reaction big time too!!! One of my eyes was so red and swallen, but I didn't care as I was with the tigers. Then whilst the monk eat their only meal a day (including the fruit we had brought) we could continue playing with the baby tigers, and when the monks had finished we also eat the same delicous food. I was talking to the volunteers and they all told me the same thing, that being there was the most amazing experience they ever had. I'm still gutted there was not positions available, but I was sure that I would try again in the future. We then took them back to their cages, except the 7 month old ones, as we took them for their morning exercise at the canyon. On the way there one of them grabbed my leg to play, but it didn't hurt at all, it was actually quite funny as it came from behind so it scare me a little. It was amazing seeing them play around. I am never going to forget this experience, ever!!! Then when we took them back we gave them a bath. Then it was time for the big ones (and they are only from 16 to 19 month old, but they are sooo big already). They are magnificent animals and so powerful, so it's amazing to be able to see them like this without any chains and cages. They are still wild animals so precaution is a mush and also to follow the staff's indications. I think I can say this has been the most amazing experience of my life ever....for the moment at least...as still more adventures to come!!!
Next day I decided to take the "Death Railway Train" to Namtok. As I've been learning about the history of this railway line, I thought it would be interesting to see the actual rail. The views from the train were amazing on some areas, like the bridges by the cliffs near the river. The I visited Saiyok Noi Waterfall. Another great spot to spend some time and relax (not as nice as Erawan falls, but still very nice). Whilst waiting for the bus by the main road I saw a couple of funny things, one was 5 people in a motorbike (2 adults and 3 kids - without helments - so dangerous, but not as bad as in Vietnam where they drive like crazy, at least here they respect the traffic lights and then don't use the horn so much). I've seen 3 and 4 a lot of times, but 5 is a little bit too much. The other funny thing was a couple on a motorbike with an umbrella to protect themselves from the sun (got a picture of this one).
I'm not sure if I've spoken about the many delicious tropical fruits I've tried here (except for Dorian that smells and tastes horrible). I've tried mangosteen, rambutan, delicious mangoes, pinneaples and watermelons (better than anywhere else I've tried), jackfruit (it has a rubber consistency and the taste is a mix of a banana and pinneaple, delicious), and many others that I can't remember the name.

I knew before I came that there was a lot of prostitution in Thailand in general but I have to say that I haven't seen it as much as here, which is a shame as Kanchanaburi is a lovely place to stay a few days and relax. You can see the girls at the bars waiting for customers, the old "falang" (foreign in Thai) drinking there, etc etc. I didn't like this side of Thailand!


Jose y yo tomamos un tour bien temprano hacia el Mercado Flotante de Damnoen Saduak. Este sitio debio ser increible hace unos anos antes de que tanto turista viniera aqui. Ahora, todavia esta bien, pero es mas un caos comercial de canoas de madera (algunas motorizadas) con mujeres Tailandesas vendiendo mayoritariamente souvenirs, aunque todavia se encuentran algunas vendiendo frutas, vegetales, comidas, etc. Incluso estaban filmando una pelicula para Bollywood alli. De ahi el tour nos llevo a Kanchanaburi al Museo Jeath de la guerra (llamado asi por los paises que participaron en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Japon, Inglaterra (England), Australia, Tailandia y Holanda), con artefactos y imagenes de la guerra como pistolas, coches, bicicletas, etc. Fue interesante conocer un poco mas de la historia de Kanchanaburi y su papel en la guerra. De ahi nos llevaron al lugar que mas estaba deseando visitar, El Templo de los Tigres. Estaba super excitada de por fin ver a estos magnificos animales en este lugar. Fue un sueno echo realidad, y no tenia miedo. Cuando fue mi turno de hacerme las fotos con ellos (de cerca si), uno de los trabajadores me llevo de la mano mientras otro tomo mi camara para sacarme las fotos. Tengo un monton!!!! Hay gente que dice que los tigres estan drogados porque sino es imposible que esten tan dormidos y quietos, pero estan equivocados. Primero seria super caro para los monjes hacerlo, y siendo budistas ellos nunca harian algo asi. Lo que hacen es darles de comer carne cocinada o hervida, nada crudo, y hacen bastante ejercicio en la manana, con lo cual por la tarde estan cansados y solo hacen que dormir. Tambien tiene mucho contacto humano desde pequenos (ya que la mayoria de ellos han nacido aqui). Fue una experiencia increible. Yo habia echado una solicitud para hacer de voluntaria aqui pero todas las posiciones disponibles estaban ya ocupadas para los meses de Julio y Agosto. Me quede decepcionada ya que tenia muchas ganas de pasar mas tiempo aqui y ayudar a los monjes con su labor. Jose decidio volverse a Bangkok y continuar su viaje a Chiang Mai ese mismo dia, pero yo sabia que me queria quedar en Kanchanaburi unos cuantos dias. Me quede en el Jolly Frog Backpackers ya que me lo habian recomendado unos amigos (super barato y muy bonito la verdad, con unas vistas del rio preciosas). Despues de otra deliciosa comida, decidi darme un paseo por el pueblo a explorar un poco, y al final acabe parandome en un bar ya que me ofrecieron sangria gratis (no tan buena como la de mi madre, pero era gratis, asi que no se podia uno quejar). Alli conoci a un par de chicas americanas, Allison y Katherina, que estaban trajando de voluntarias en varios hospitales de Tailandia por unas semanas. Al dia siguiente las 3 decidimos cojer un autobus local al Parque Nacional de Erawan para ver las famosas cascadas con sus 7 niveles. Creo que ahora ya he viajado en todos los metodos posibles aqui. He viajado en tren, en autobus con AC, en autobus local (sin AC), en tuk-tuk, bicicleta y en moto. Las cascadas eran maravillosas y las 3 nos banamos en algunas de las piscinas creadas por ellas. En el 2o nivel cuando nos metimos en el agua dozenas de pequenos peces empezaron a mordernos los pies y manos, lo que hacia mas dificil escalar la roca resbaladiza. Cada nivel era mas bonito que el anterior - mis favoritos el 2o - sin los peces - y el 7o. De camino de repente un par de dozenas de monos bajaron de los arboles a beber agua del rio, pero principalmente a robar comida de la gente que la habia traido al parque (y eso que estaba prohibido, pero hay gente que no respeta nada). Fue divertido verlos robar y comerse las bolsas de patatas.
Al dia siguiente decidi visitar el Museo del Tren de Burma-Thailandia donde explica la historia detras de la construccion de esta linia ferroviaria. Para daros un poquito de la historia, la linia de tren fue construida por los Japoneses durante su ocupacion de Tailandia en la Segunda Guerra Mundial. El puente (famoso por al pelicula "El Puente sobre el rio Kwai") fue construido por los prisioneros de guerra bajo la supervision Japonesa. El puente era una parte de la linia ferroviara de la ruta estrategica hacia Myanmar (Burma) con lo cual los japoneses querian asegurar la union de las dos linias para asi transportar maquinaria y armas para conquistar mas paises asiaticos. Los dos puentes (uno de madera y otro de hierro) fueron danados por las fuerzas aliadas durante ataques en el 1944 y 1945, pero varios de los arcos del puente de hierro se salvaron y fueron reparados despues de la guerra. Mas de 100.000 personas murieron mientras esta linia se construyo, mayoritariamente debido a malnutricion y varias enfermedades tropicales. De ahi decidi visitar el Cementerio de las Fuerzas Aliadas, donde los restos de mas de 7000 Prisioneros de Guerra descansan en paz, despues de haber sido excavados de sus lugares originales a lo largo de la via del tren. Decidi alquilar una moto y irme al campo de los elefantes a darme un bano con uno, si si, a darme un bano. Fue otra experiencia increible. El elefante solo queria jugar conmigo y me tiraba de un lado al otro hasta que me caia al agua, y eso que me agarraba fuerte a sus orejas. Me senti como en uno de esos toros mecanicos de las ferias, pero mucho mas fuerte y en el agua.
Tambien aprendi un par de palabras para darles instrucciones al elefante y como subirme encima de el, con la ayuda de su enorme pata. Esa noche hablando con uno de los voluntarios del templo de los tigres me hablo del programa de las mananas que hacen alli donde puedes jugar con los cachorros. Era carito, pero pense, estoy aqui ahora y tengo que disfrutarlo, y me encantan los tigres, asi que a la manana siguiente me levante a las 5.30 y para alli me fui para llegar antes de las 7, con fruta para los monjes. Primero nos trajeron a los cachorros de 6-7 meses, y dos min mas tarde a los cachorritos de 7 semanas. Eran monisisisimos y que queria llevar a uno a casa (me dejas mami??) Formamos un circulo y jugamos con ellos un buen rato y les dimos el biberon tambien. Mordian un poco pero no hacian demasiado dano...todavia. Los voluntarios nos dijeron que no les dejaramos mordernos porque sino se acostumbran. Tambien dimos de comer a los otros cachorros de 7 meses con biberones tambien. Son ya tan grandes y solo son cachorros, que preciosos que son. Tengo alergia a los gatos, asi que como estos son gatos pero mas grandes tambien tuve reaccion. Uno de los ojos se me puso super rojo y se me hincho (ya vereis en las fotos), pero me daba igual ya que estaba con los cachorros de tigre!!!. Mientras los monjes comieron su unica comida del dia (incluyendo la fruta que les habiamos llevado) nosotros continuamos jugando con los cachorros y cuando los monjes terminaron nosotros tambien comimos, una comida deliciosa por supuesto. Estuve hablando con los voluntarios y todos me dijeron lo mismo, que el estar ahi habia sido la experiencia mas fantastica de sus vidas. Yo todavia estaba triste y decepcionada porque no habia plazas, pero si de una cosa estoy segura, es que lo voy a volver a intentar en el futuro. Los llevamos de vuelta a sus jaulas, excepto por los de 7 meses, que los llevamos de paseo a su lugar de recreo a verlso jugar. De camino uno de ellos me agarro la pierna para jugar, pero no me hizo nada, mas bien el susto porque me vino por detras, asi que fue bastante divertido. Nunca voy a olvidar esta experiencia, nunca!!!! De vuelta les dimos su bano diario. Luego les toco el turno a los mas grandes (aunque solo tienen de 16 a 19 meses, pero ya son enormes). Los tigres son magnificos animales y muy fuertes, asi que es impresionante verlos asi sin cadenas ni jaulas, jugando entre ellos. Siguen siendo animales salvajes, asi que se deben tomar precauciones y seguir las instruciones de los empleados. Creo que puedo decir que ha sido una de las experiencias mas alucinantes de mi vida...al menos de momento...ya que todavia me quedan mas aventuras en este viaje!!!
Al dia siguiente decidi tomar el "Tren de la Muerte" hacia Namtok. Como he estado aprendiendo acerca de la historia de la linia, pense que seria interesante viajar en el mismo tren y ver el paisaje por el cual tuvieron que trabajar duramente los prisioneros de guerra. Las vistas desde el tren eran maravillosas en algunos lugares, sobretodo cerca de los acantilados al lado del rio. De ahi visite la cascada de Saiyok Noi. Otro gran lugar para pasar el rato y relajarse (no tan bonito como las cascadas de Erawan, pero bien bonito tambien). Mientras esperaba al autobus en la carretera principal vi un par de cosas bien divertidas, primero a 5 personas en una moto, si si a 5 (2 adultos y 3 ninos - sin cascos - muy peligroso, aunque no tanto como en Vietnam donde conducen como locos, aqui al menos respetan los semaforos y no van tocando la bocina tanto). La otra cosa fue a una pareja en una moto con un paraguas para protegerse del sol (de esto si que tengo foto).
No estoy segura si os he hablado de las muchas deliciosas frutas tropicales que aqui he probado (excepto dorian, que huele y sabe fatal). He probado mangosteen, rambutan, deliciosos mangos, pinas y sandias (las mejores que he probado nunca), jackfruit (tiene la consistencia de goma y sabe a una mezcla entre banana y pina, delicioso), y mas que no puedo recordar su nombre.

Antes de venir aqui a Thailandi yo ya sabia que habia bastante prostitucion aqui pero he de decir que no la he visto tanto como aqui, y es una pena porque Kanchanaburi es un lugar precioso para pasar unos dias y relajarse uno. Puedes ver a las chicas en los bares esperando a los clientes, a viejos "falang" (extrangeros en tailandes) bebiendo alli, etc etc. Esta parte de Tailandia no me gusta!

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