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Published: December 14th 2008
the Bridge over the River Kwai
Yeah, kinda short and stout, not so impressive. But it's the real thing post repairs. BTW, did you know that Thailand was never fully invaded by either the Japanese or the Allies because no maps of Thailand existed as Thailand had never been colonized by a Western power? Thailand played the Western powers against each other to avoid colonization. This is understandably a pretty big source of pride for Thais. Post dental and physical repair, we went to the River Kwai where an annual light and sound show was taking place. The show was of course mostly in Thai but we saw groups running around with Japanese flags, a vintage train chugged down the tracks, and remote controlled planes dropped "bombs" and blew up the bridge with great fireworks and burning explosions.
We took a motorbike to one of the most beautiful national parks to which I've ever been. Erawan Falls consists of seven falls (why is it always seven falls/pools?) which fall into aqua blue pools swimming with fish which nibble at your toes when you take a dip. I didn't include pics of all 7 so nobody harass me about the numbers in the pic titles please.
A flyer at our hotel advertised a "tiger temple" which showed pictures of gorgeous tigers and saffron robed monks sitting about in a Thai temple. It was as if some sort of Zen spirituality managed to connect man and beast in a miraculous nirvana. Jeez, we gotta see that! So we went but there was no temple and no saffron robed monks. Regular Thais walked tigers, first young ones and
then later big ones, out into an open area on large chains. We were pretty disappointed but sat and watched the young ones play with each other and sharpen their claws on trees just like house cats.
Some of the big ones looked like they were not exactly at peace and their trainers would kind of smack them on the head when they behaved in a negative way. Like some Thai person could really stop a tiger from doing whatever it wanted to do! The handlers would have people come up and pose behind the cats for photos. Nobody was getting mauled so we jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge with everyone else and posed for photos. Well Toby had it easy with a young 'un who was sleepy but cheerful. I got a shot with a massive Catzilla that tossed it's head threateningly in my direction when I squatted down behind him. I had visions of magician Roy being dragged away with his neck in the jaws a giant white tiger. Could be me. But thankfully it wasn't. If you ever find yourself here, I wouldn't suggest this.
One thing about Thailand I plan to bring home with
me is "Mai pen rai" which loosely translates to "it doesn't matter" - i.e. don't worry about it. If it's in the past and there's nothing you can do about it, don't sweat it. I am a major stress monkey and I have a hard time letting things go. Maybe this is common in Western society.
So, I got hit by a bus and could have been mauled by a tiger. Mai pen rai.
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Stacey
non-member comment
Mai pen rai!
I'm so glad you're ok! I've heard buses usually win...I'm glad you gave it a run for its money. Mai pen rai indeed! I am a stress monkey myself and will definitely need you to teach me the ways of this mysterious "fuggedaboutit" from the far East. :)