The Tiger Temple

Sugar made from coconut
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I know it has only been a few days but they have been so exciting I wanted to share them with you all.

Yesterday I went on a day trip to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Markets, The River Kwai and the Tiger Temple.  Kate and Ben had some brilliant pictures from their honeymoon and the Tiger Temple was an experience I could not miss!

The mini-bus picked me up bright and early at 7am - struggling slightly, I was supposed to be on holiday!!  It was nice to see outside of the city and I met some lovely people who I have spent the last few days with.  Our first stop was a quick one - we saw coconut sugar being made from the flowers of coconut trees.

Boiling the sugar
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Unfortunately my tour group arrived at the Floating Markets after 10am, so along with the other tourists we saw both the traditional fruit sellers and the souvenir stalls.  Some of us took a wooden paddle boat up and down the market, while the others went to the Cobra Show.  I couldn't get myself there...but Hannah I did try I promise. I think Australia was the one and only time!  Apparently the man caught the cobra in his mouth!!

The next stop was the Bridge over the River Kwai before heading to the Tiger Temple.  I was not entirely sure if I was nervous or excited!  (For those of you who don't know...I was about to stroke a tiger!!)  We walked through the temple grounds towards the canyon.  At the bottom of the canyon in front of the waterfall were 8 tigers - no cages, just right there, full grown tigers.  The first sight we saw was a little girl being lifted onto the tigers belly as the tiger rolled on his back! Crazy!  The Buddist Monks set the Tiger Temple up after an orphaned tiger cub was found in the forest.  The Monk raised the cub and since then other cubs have been taken there.  I was led around the canyon so I could stroke the tigers one by one.  It was a really exciting experience and I loved every minute.  Not many people can say they have stroked a tiger!!

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
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After our exciting day a group of us went out for dinner and some well deserved beers!  It was a great night...somehow I ended up singing with the Thai band on stage.  (Katie's 21st all over again!)  When you don't know the words (because they are in Thai) it is all about oooo's and ahhhh's!

Today I visited Chatuchak Weekend Market.  The hugest market I have ever seen, selling everything from clothes and bags to fluffy puppies and squirrels.  I can't believe that the three people I went with and myself came away without anything!  Far too hot to shop!

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I am planning to go to the islands tomorrow...I might actually get a tan!

xxx