Trains, Planes & Automobiles leads to Elephants, monkeys and Tigers
Monday, March 2nd, 2009After a train, taxi, three plane flights in three countries over 24 hours plus another taxi trip we’ve touched down for our first full day in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hours after we arrived when eating at a roadside cafe (well it was on the roadside – literally) we were passed by an Elephant in downtown Bangkok so we knew we weren’t in Adelaide at least.
Today we ventured out, a couple of hundred kilometres, to the famous floating markets. Heading down the Klongs in Long-tail Boats with huge 6 cylinder engines sitting on them (and exhaust fumes to match) then onto the Allied war cemetery in Kanchanburi, Bridge on the River Kwai which was part of the infamous Siam to Burma ‘Death Railway’ and finally onto what has become known as the Tiger Temple where we walked beside and sat with adult tigers. Luke even having one have it’s head across his lap. Stephanie’s highlight there was being nipped on the hand by a 6 month old cub (they do look cute!).
On the way home we stopped at a much tourist trodden little section of bush where dozens of Monkeys eagerly awaited us and happily took the corn we bought for 20 baht (80 cents). The Monkeys are definitely wild but also definitely not afraid of people.
The Tiger Temple was really our only reason for coming to Bangkok this time and we’ve had it planned since our last trip when we heard the boys were a little young for the tigers. We only have three full days here before heading to Vietnam on Wednesday night and will go from today’s very organised and somewhat expensive tour (although we’re glad we did it) to a totally independent trip tomorrow via the local monorail and underground then 3rd class seating (air-conditioned if you open the windows!) for a couple of hours north of Bangkok to the old capital of Ayuttaya – mainly ruins but highly recommended and something we haven’t seen before. The trip will be as much an adventure in getting there as it will be once we arrive…..more on that to come.
All the best
David, Stephanie, Jordan & Luke Mitchell
