We're still alive and kicking (each other! Hahaha) For all it's faults (a bit overly touristy, possible sewage contamination in the water, mangey dogs and the fact our room hasn't been cleaned) Kanchanaburi really is a charming and beautiful place. We've had a lovely week here relaxing and taking in the sights. On Wednesday we signed up for a tour to the 'Tiger Temple Experience' we weren't sure what we were in for, but it was quite an experience. The ride there was in a converted pick-up with a bunch of other travellers (strangely enough, all English and around our age). It was the first time we really got chatting to other 'farang' (foreign) people here and we managed to extract some useful travel tips. There were, of course, the know-it-all backpackers, one of which came out with the comment, 'Trust me mate, once you're travelled a bit more you'll realise.... ' etc. He was here with his mum, guess where from! COLCHESTER! Small world!
We got to the temple and had a dusty walk to the 'Tiger Canyon'. We saw the crowd from a distance & it transpired that you queued up outside the roped-off section & two assistants took you in one by one. You were shuffled from tiger to tiger to have your picture taken (Gary got 18 but the batteries ran out on me - I can't say I was dissapointed). They looked well taken care of but I just didn't like it. It was all too strange. We've since had discussions with people and the theory is that they're not drugged but very well trained in the manner of a dog (ie sit still while hordes of tourists swamp around you and then you'll get you're dinner type of thing). I'm sure the monk handlers know what they're doing but I don't doubt that eventually someone's gonna get really hurt. Afterwards we were led to another area to watch the animals getting fed (these were water buffalo, pigs, deer, cows, ponies) and at this stage a Belgian girl who was with us was up-ended by a water buffalo! It wasn't too safe!
The other trip we did was to the Erawan National Park to see the seven tiered waterfalls. It's a 2.5km climb up hill but the hardest part was the bus getting there. We were both a bit groggy and grumpy when we got on but it didn't help that it left 50 minutes late, Gary had to crunch up in order to fit his legs in and I was getting whipped by the wind. BUT we got there eventually and it was worth it. The waterfalls were so beautiful. The climb was hard up paths, steep steps (mostly made of wood) and clambering over rocks. It was so stunning, something that you don't believe really exists, it's idyllic. There were butterflies the size of my hand in many different shapes and colours, little skinks everywhere and we saw our first monkeys up in the trees. Luckily they behaved thamselves! So did we! We stayed on the ground, they stayed in the trees. By about the fifth tier (around an hour of climbing) we were really sweaty and hot (lovely!) and decided to break for a swim in one of the pools of water. Gary proclaimed it was FREEZING and only really got up to his knees but I plunged it. It was one of the most beautiful swims I've ever had! There were loads of little fish that tried to nibble our feet and legs which felt weird! The viw at the top of the falls was incredible.
That night we met a couple that had been on the tiger tour with us and we got chatting and ended up having dinner with them and Gary got quite tiddly. I'm not drinking here because the only thing we can afford is beer and I think I've got an allergy to it as I get itchy spots on my fingers and they swell up. Apart from that we've mainly been relaxing, watching the beautiful sunsets and eating yummy thai (and western for me, I'm fussy I know, but I AM vegetarian) food. My favourite dish so far is a tangy fried noodle salad and Gary likes that best too! (We'll have to try it out at home). It's our last day here today and then we're catching a bus to Bangkok for the overnight train to north Thailand were we are going over the border to Laos. Will catch up with you from there!
