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Published: August 9th 2007
Worried that it may be a bit like "Tiger Disney" we made our first reservation to do some sightseeing--going to a tiger sanctuary; I call it a sanctuary because I don't know what it is really called. But it is an area about a half hour by songtaew from our hotel. The songtaew is a covered pickup truck with benches down either side. It held the three of us and seven others, including a delightful young Irish couple who kept us entertained with tales of their home country. Halfway through the journey we got hit with a fierce storm that let up fortunately by the time we got out to see the tigers.
About a dozen tigers were chained in a valley at the sanctuary. Visitors could view them from behind a fence or line up to pet them and take quick photos. Leslie and I stood in line while Michael wanted no part of it. One of the handlers led us roughly by the arm showing us where to stand and where to pet while another Thai employee took our cameras to get a few photos of this orchestrated excursion.
Somehow the tigers didn't seem too menacing with
Riders on the storm
We're on our way to the Tiger Temple, getting absolutely soaking wet. Woo hoo!the thin Thai handlers beating their faces back when they turned to growl.
The highlight was at the end when all the animals drawn to the sanctuary for food gathered along the main path to chow down on hundreds of cucumbers and corn cobs. Michael particularly liked the cute mini boars which he called peccaries--I would have gotten a photo of the cute little fellas but they dashed away whenever I approached.
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Kathy
non-member comment
Beat their faces???
Why are the tigers there and not in the wild? And why is beating their faces okay for the monks? To say I'm disturbed by this entry would be an understatement! Hope the rest of the trip is enjoyable.