The moment Jen had been waiting for since we began planning this trip: Tiger Temple. We took a "taxi" with six other people on Wednesday afternoon. When I say "taxi" I mean: a pickup truck with a bench along either side of the bed, a makeshift roof with flowered paper and open sides. (And no seatbelts. Don't tell Mom!)
When we arrived at the temple, I put on my long sleeve pullover (no bare shoulders or open toes in temples, tiger or otherwise), we signed the waiver releasing them from any responsibility should we get eaten, and set off.
First stop- the tiger canyon! Jen and I tried to listen to what the guide in front of us was telling his group, as we had been given no warnings. Luckily, there were plenty of volunteers in the canyon to tell us. No bright colors, no sunglasses, no hanging bags. We were lead by hand one at a time to sit by a few (chained up) tigers while another volunteer took photos with our cameras.
It was depressing. There were so many people, and the tigers just lay there. One volunteer said it was because they'd already eaten and been exercised, and that like all cats, liked to lay in the sun and nap. I guess I'll believe that.
The next stop was the cage area, where there were a couple of young tigers to sit with. They were cute, and playful, and made us feel a little better. There were also pigs and cows and water buffalo and deer and chickens and peacocks and horses. (I wonder if the tigers ever try to eat them?)
We were allowed to stay, behind gates, to watch the tigers being brought back to their cages. Then we headed back to the "taxi" and the ride back to Blue Star. Along the way, our fellow passngers gave us some great advice about places to stay in Cambodia, etc.
We had planned on going to the night market, for some cheap food and a look around, but much like the wats the day before, we couldn't find it. (Let's hope this doesn't develop into too much of a theme!) So we settled for dinner at our guest house (cheap and good) and tried to mentally prepare ourselves for the mini-bus journey back to Bangkok the next day.
When we arrived at the temple, I put on my long sleeve pullover (no bare shoulders or open toes in temples, tiger or otherwise), we signed the waiver releasing them from any responsibility should we get eaten, and set off.
First stop- the tiger canyon! Jen and I tried to listen to what the guide in front of us was telling his group, as we had been given no warnings. Luckily, there were plenty of volunteers in the canyon to tell us. No bright colors, no sunglasses, no hanging bags. We were lead by hand one at a time to sit by a few (chained up) tigers while another volunteer took photos with our cameras.
It was depressing. There were so many people, and the tigers just lay there. One volunteer said it was because they'd already eaten and been exercised, and that like all cats, liked to lay in the sun and nap. I guess I'll believe that.
The next stop was the cage area, where there were a couple of young tigers to sit with. They were cute, and playful, and made us feel a little better. There were also pigs and cows and water buffalo and deer and chickens and peacocks and horses. (I wonder if the tigers ever try to eat them?)
We were allowed to stay, behind gates, to watch the tigers being brought back to their cages. Then we headed back to the "taxi" and the ride back to Blue Star. Along the way, our fellow passngers gave us some great advice about places to stay in Cambodia, etc.
We had planned on going to the night market, for some cheap food and a look around, but much like the wats the day before, we couldn't find it. (Let's hope this doesn't develop into too much of a theme!) So we settled for dinner at our guest house (cheap and good) and tried to mentally prepare ourselves for the mini-bus journey back to Bangkok the next day.
3 comments:
Oh my goodness! Jen is petting a tiger!! So jealous of you two. Glad you are having a blast.
Holy baloney!! Jen is touching a tiger!!! Did you not read the story about the San Francisco tiger who tried to eat the stupid drugged out teenagers taunting the poor thing?? Kudos to you two - and I must say that picture rocks. I myself have no pictures of me touching, or getting near wild animals because I'm a total wuss. Plus, I'm allergic to cats. They make me all wheezy and watery eyed. I think in order to touch a tiger I'd have to take like a vat - a vat - of Claritin. And that just can't be healthy, can it.
i am so jealous and no, my baby tiger does not even come close to this. can you guys pick one up for me...you know as a souveniour?
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