Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua - Tiger Temple and Kanchanaburi

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Our arrival into Kanchanaburi has been pretty uneventful. We heard time and time again how we were going to be scammed when we go to Thailand. I wouldn't call the tuk tuk driver a scammer so much as an extortionist. I knew better than to accept a ride right from the bus station. We probably should have walked a few blocks away and we could have scored a cheap ride to the guest houses. Instead, a very helpful and friendly fellow came over and suggested that the cheap rides where not to be found the way we were heading (which they probably were) and that we can hop in with another driver who had been sitting all day waiting for a ride. Such a nice guy to take care of us and the poor guy who couldn't seem to score a fare. The ride was 50 baht each for a ride that turned out to be maybe 5 minutes long. We just came over 2 hours on a bus that cost less per mileage.
Not wanting to get into, we agreed and where taken to Pong Phen Guesthouse & Bungalows after our first choice was full. We're had hit luxury (perhaps this would smooth over the first nights fiasco) with a large king size bed, working air con, and a pool. While Candace got settled, I walked to the open air restaurant, chugged a cheap beer that was billed to the room and booked us on the next Tiger Temple tour.

Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua is visited by a lot of people that want the chance to touch a tiger. Some say the tigers are drugged and that going to see them continues the plight of the tigers that live there. We wanted to see some tigers and pet them.

A song thaew (a pick up with benches in the back) picked us, a Swedish couple and their son, an Irish guy and two Aussies up and we headed out.

The Tiger Temple is a huge compound that houses tigers, tapirs, water buffalo and other little animals. The huge draw is that you get pet the tigers. The cost is 1000 baht ($33.00) for two people to get your pictures with these tigers. After seeing them up close, we both agreed that they are more than likely drugged but seemed in okay condition (however it appears that we missed some key points when looking for a healthy tiger). The trip out there was well worth it to see tigers (we do hope things do improve for them).

We got our first picture of a large Buddha at the Tiger temple. It was in an area that was sectioned off.

On the way back, we watched as a pick up truck loaded with people caught up to us. It must have been doing at least 150 km/hr. People drive very fast out here even with people hanging off their vehicles.

When we got back to the guest house, we went to Apple-Noi's (a restaurant/guest house that is famous for its food) for supper. Candace went to bed shortly afterwards and I went out on the town with the Aussies.

Kanchanaburi is quite quiet after 22:00. The night market of course is busy with people and after strolling through there, I headed back to the guest house as I was getting tired. 9 gin and tonics can do that to a person.


The Swedish couple we met are tattoo artists and own their own shop in Sweden. Their son was rather quiet but acted rather spoiled but I think its because he's an only child. He got whatever he wanted. Good people. We hope to run into them again.

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