6 Tiger Temple

After our arrival back into Bangkok, I booked myself in for a trip to the Tiger Temple, while Harriet stayed back and moved into a posher hotel where she could be pampered.

The first stop on my tour was at the Graveyards of allied prisoners who had died while building the Burma railway. This was a very solemn visit, and we were not allowed to enter the site of the graves- probably to preserve it, which I completely appreciate.

My tour itinerary said that we had a museum on our trip as well, so I found a museum, went in and had a look around. Little did I know that this was not the museum that I was supposed to be in, it was a 15 minute drive away. When I came out, my tour group was gone, and I was left in a small town in Western Thailand on my own.

Fortunately I spotted a guide who had spoken to us when we had arrived and explained my situation while waiving my hands frantically. I don’t know whether it was the hand waiving or not, but he found out where I was supposed to be and put me on a motorbike taxi to catch up with my tour group at the bridge over the River Kwai.

After a few other stops, we found our way to the Tiger Temple, a destination I have had on my list for over 5 years. The Tiger Temple is a sanctuary run by Buddhist monks for Tigers who are at risk from poachers, or need to be cared for specially. It looks a bit like a zoo- with high walls to stop animals escaping, but the animals wander freely without cages- there are boars, and donkeys, and buffalo, chickens, and of course Tigers. The tigers are chained up (to stop them eating the other animals and humans), but as humans have reared them, they are completely accustomed to having people close to and even touching them, which is what you can do. In the Tiger area, you can pat the Tigers, and if you make a large donation, you can cuddle them as well!

As we wandered around the temple area, you can see Tiger cubs, and get your photo taken with them as well. If you are really keen you can volunteer with the monastery, and work there for 3 months, 6 months, as long as you like. For the big cat lovers with a bit of free time and cash, it would be the excursion of a lifetime.