Last few days - Kanchanaburi

Day 7

Weekend in the Country

Getting out of Bangkok by car is a feat in itself -- I think it took an hour, plus another 2 to get to the country but it was worth it. With a borrowed car (no reason to own one in the city), me, Erik, Pim, her mother, her cousin and baby Zen in tow we headed out at around 11AM.


Kanchanaburi is a provence west of Bangkok and just inside the border of the Republic of Myanmar (Burma). English disappears with the exception of road signs. Gas runs about 16-31 Baht per litre, or about the same as we pay per gallon. It is one of the few 'expensive' items here. The country is interesting to see. One can go from a short barren area to huge business compounds on the road -- almost all have a large picture of the King on the front. Again, the median has flowers, trees, colorful flags and is CLEAN. I rarely saw a piece of paper in the streets.


We opted not to stop at our overnight location but went directly to Tiger Temple (which was only slightly easier than getting out of Bangkok). Having read up on TT, I was prepared! I wore a black tank top and jeans so I would blend in -- HOWEVER, since it was a 'Temple', even though we were outdoors, women were required to have their shoulders and knees covered. There was a lot of quick changing in the back of the car.


As we walked into Tiger Canyon we approach a table where they take away all our belongings except for our cameras. They lined up our group and had us place one hand on the shoulder of the person in front of us, to walk to the Tiger, then seated us one by one (group photo op). Course no pix would be complete without their placing the tiger's head on someones lap

Above L to R: Pim's Mom, Pim, Pim's cousin May, me, Zen and Erik

After they take pictures with everyones cameras, the move the tigers head and march us out the same way we came in. Just when you think you have done it all-- they take us individually by our hands and walk around to almost every tiger in the area (8) for a photo op -- Here is one of the twins I didn't include before

More posts to come