Day 197 (Sat 20 Jan) - Kanchanaburi
Up about 10ish, had brekky and just pottered around the grounds of the hotel.
At 2pm we were off to the Tiger Temple. The temple was started by a kindly monk that was brought a bedraggled tiger cub by some local villagers. The monk took pity on the little blighter and took him under his care. As time progressed more and more tigers were brought to him and the tiger temple started. It is the only place where monks wearing saffron robes can be seen walking with these tigers. Sarb had seen a documentary about the temple a few years ago and was keen to see how they were progressing with the redevelopment of the site.
A bit of a disappointment. Quite expensive to get in and although walking round the dozing tigers (some say drugged, others not) was an amazing experience there is little else to do. A large area was cleared and a deep 'moat' had been excavated around it, so the beginnings of the new sanctuary could be seen. Considering that Sarb had seen a documentary detailing the plans of the new sanctuary some 5 years ago, and taking into account the fact that the admission price is high and there were a large number of paying punters, a big hole in the ground is precious little progress!
Anyway, we hope that the intentions of the temple are still honourable and have not changed to include a champagne lifestyle for the monks!
Back to the tigers! When you enter the grounds you are led to a flat area that seems to have been carved out of the surrounding high rocks. On this area lounged a number of tigers and seemingly two helpers per tiger. Quite a slick Disney operation as you queue up, a helper takes your camera and then leading you by the hand, walks you round the tigers taking your piccy as you go.
Has to be said that stroking these magnificent beasts was pretty amazing. We were both astounded as to how big these cats are close up! Surprisingly their fur is quite soft. ( [1], [2], [3] )
Of course there is always a naughty tiger. Sarb had to wrestle this one before it calmed down and had it's picture taken.
After the photo session we wandered round for a bit. Spotted some peacocks and some wild pigs. At night the tigers are led to small looking cages as opposed to running around at night. And so as we waited by the cages the tigers, on chain leads, were walked by two handlers to their cages. They seemed quite placid enough although one or two of the tigers had to be physically restrained as a small litter of piglets decided to have a run around about 30 yards away from them. The tigers eyes lit up and they took up a stance that suggested that though the chief monk had said that all animals should live together in harmony, he was not actually here and who would miss a little piggy anyway? Luckily a nearby monk had realised the danger and shooed the piglets away from the tigers.
After the temple we got our lift back to the hotel where we watched the sun go down over the river. Beautiful!
As Sarb was missing a pie we had a pie and chips dinner over the road. And very nice it was too!
At 2pm we were off to the Tiger Temple. The temple was started by a kindly monk that was brought a bedraggled tiger cub by some local villagers. The monk took pity on the little blighter and took him under his care. As time progressed more and more tigers were brought to him and the tiger temple started. It is the only place where monks wearing saffron robes can be seen walking with these tigers. Sarb had seen a documentary about the temple a few years ago and was keen to see how they were progressing with the redevelopment of the site.
A bit of a disappointment. Quite expensive to get in and although walking round the dozing tigers (some say drugged, others not) was an amazing experience there is little else to do. A large area was cleared and a deep 'moat' had been excavated around it, so the beginnings of the new sanctuary could be seen. Considering that Sarb had seen a documentary detailing the plans of the new sanctuary some 5 years ago, and taking into account the fact that the admission price is high and there were a large number of paying punters, a big hole in the ground is precious little progress!
Anyway, we hope that the intentions of the temple are still honourable and have not changed to include a champagne lifestyle for the monks!
Back to the tigers! When you enter the grounds you are led to a flat area that seems to have been carved out of the surrounding high rocks. On this area lounged a number of tigers and seemingly two helpers per tiger. Quite a slick Disney operation as you queue up, a helper takes your camera and then leading you by the hand, walks you round the tigers taking your piccy as you go.
Has to be said that stroking these magnificent beasts was pretty amazing. We were both astounded as to how big these cats are close up! Surprisingly their fur is quite soft. ( [1], [2], [3] )
Of course there is always a naughty tiger. Sarb had to wrestle this one before it calmed down and had it's picture taken.
After the photo session we wandered round for a bit. Spotted some peacocks and some wild pigs. At night the tigers are led to small looking cages as opposed to running around at night. And so as we waited by the cages the tigers, on chain leads, were walked by two handlers to their cages. They seemed quite placid enough although one or two of the tigers had to be physically restrained as a small litter of piglets decided to have a run around about 30 yards away from them. The tigers eyes lit up and they took up a stance that suggested that though the chief monk had said that all animals should live together in harmony, he was not actually here and who would miss a little piggy anyway? Luckily a nearby monk had realised the danger and shooed the piglets away from the tigers.
After the temple we got our lift back to the hotel where we watched the sun go down over the river. Beautiful!
As Sarb was missing a pie we had a pie and chips dinner over the road. And very nice it was too!
posted by Jo and Sarb at
1/20/2007 07:47:00 am
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