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Published: October 16th 2008
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Us on conoe boat
Me, Deb, Iris and 2 guys from Nepal. Day started bad - woke up still stressing about bookings made; not helped by fact that had to wake up at 5:30 for 6:15 pick up. Stress further not helped when driver still not arrived by 6:45. Had to ring him and finally came at 7:15. Could have had an extra hour in bed! Driver didn't tell us where going - more stress - but thankfully got swapped over to another driver, who should have picked us up that morning, but went to wrong hostel!
This driver was good and other people in car. Told us we were going to floating market. Floating market was ace - easily one of best things ever seen in life! All of us = Me, Deb, Iris (from Canada) and 2 guys from Nepal (whose names have forgot already...sorry x) got on little canoe to go down market. River packed with boats and were not allowed to put hands out or got chopped off! Either side full of market stalls, who hooked boats in and tried to get us to buy stuff. 2 guys from Nepal were ace - brilliant at haggling! Lady tried to get them to buy hat for 800 baht and
they offered 100 - haggled for ages, but they got it for 100. Between them ended up buying 5 hats...no idea what they were going to do with them all! They bought loads of stuff (really cheap), but us girls just nosied - mental note: need to get much better at bartering, only offer 20% of price!
Had an hour there then headed for Snake Show. Im not into snakes but when got there, decided definately not going in. Man fighting with snakes, then mongoose and snake fight. When it comes to animals, I am my mums daughter and did listen to some stuff she taught me - no way could pay to watch animals being forced to fight! Yes mum, I do have principles! Deb and Iris decided not to go in too, so we went to wood shop instead. Showed you how carved really detailed furniture. Made some awesome stuff. IfI was even remotely rich, would definately buy and send home!
Then headed for Tiger Temple. This also one of best experiences ever had. Temple run by monks and animals rescued there when poachers in wild have killed parents. Ground is just full of animals roaming
Us on Canoe
Hands firmly inside boat. wild, like boars, deers, peacocks and buffalo, then special area for tigers. Got took round by a handler and sat with each of tigers, stroking them while had photos taken! Awesome! Could feel heartbeat and breathing - massive paws! Was a bit shaky about it at first, but they were fine and lots of handlers at each tiger to make sure you were safe.
Next was tiger cubs. Absolutely brilliant! Had picture took with 2 but then got to play with 2. Stoking head and tickling tummy! They were brilliant and there paws looked even bigger than adult tigers. Reminded me of when we got our dog Buddy as a pup; he had massive paws...and nearly as cute as Tiger pups.
Saw other animals like a bear and lion, but they were in cages because new to temple. Also stroked a dear, who was just standing right next to us eating grass. Asked about animals to make sure were all treated well, were all so domesticated because been at temple for a long time, a lot from childhood and since got no parents, people is only thing they know! Anyway, brilliant experience and definatley worth 500baht = 9
Wood factory chair
Maybe a bit big for me... pound.
After that had long journey to Bridge over River Kwai. Quite a touching experience and almost felt bad posing for pictures and smiling on bridge knowing how many had died there. Managed to walk over bridge but not a good experience!:
1) High up
2) Over water (obviously...)
3) Worst one = could see through floor straight down to water = very bad for me!
Walked very quickly across it and never looked down!
Headed back to new hostel then, more central Bangkok. By time got back, was 7pm. Got changed (avoiding sitting on bed so as not to fall to sleep) then went out in Silhom = one of main areas. V.busy. Got Pad Thai for dinner =stirfry. Only cost 50p - brilliant! Then had a few drinks in some of bars. Met a lady from Madrid and a guy from America (who said he was spanish...not sure who would ever mistake an American accent for Spanish...we weren't that drunk!) Both were crazy in completely different ways! Saw a few of the famous 'ladyboys' and loads of touts tried to get us to go to the Ping Pong Show. Debs was nearly convinced and ready to
flag a taxi down until she realised it was a strip club! No idea why they kept asking us to go...I know we are not looking our best, but hoping we still look like women!...maybe they thought we were 'ladyboys'! Anyway, managed to dodge that and got back to hostel just in time to have 5 hours sleep 😊
Steps: 16, 562
Miles: 7.1
Calories: 427 (although beer and cocktails probably makes this -427!)
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Pat Wood
non-member comment
Bangkok
Hi Girls you should have gone to the Ping Pong show - it is awseome what those girls can do - draw pictures, slicd carrorts, fire ping pong balls out - amazing. And those tigers!!! I have always loved Tigers so can you bring one home for me ?? Love to you both xxxxx