The Eye of the Tiger

Yep, I am that close Tiger Temple

It was a full day, getting up at 6 am to meet the tour guide at 7 am.  The tour company picked me up at my hotel and dropped me off where hundreds of other tourist were.  It was a mad house (about 25 tours daily and all going to different places) and it was so disorganized that I didn't think I would be going.  After about 20 minutes getting on a bus, and then getting off the bus and then getting on another bus, finally I was on my way (I checked with other passengers on my bus to make sure we were all going to the same place and we were, yea).  First of all we went to the war memorial of soldiers of WWII so beautiful and well kept, they honor these soldiers.  Then we were off to the bridge at River Kwai and the war museum where the Japanese held the POW's to build that bridge.  I just couldn't believe the brutality of the Japanese during their occupation as I was in Japan and they were so kind and humble (what a different a generation makes).  From there it was off to the Elephant reserve and yea riding an elephant.  OMG, they were so sweet, but the ride was sure bumpy and not at all comfortable and it rained but it was fun (I need another massage for my lower back after that).  Oh, yea, we had a river rafting ride on a bamboo raft but going down to the river and seeing how those canoes were made and the rushing river I said "no thank you" I wait until everyone's done and go to the next place. After, we went to have lunch a traditional Thai lunch (but I think it was more Chinese!!) but very good and filling.  Next we went to a waterfall, and then to the Tiger Temple.  Or Wat Phat Lunag Ta Bua which is a Buddhist temple that was founded in 1994 as a sanctuary for wild animals among them several tigers which were from Indonesia. It is extremely controversial whether the temple is a sanctuary or a money maker. I just don't know.  The tigers were beautiful and the animals looked all well taken care of.  It was a good day, here are my pictures:

War Memorial

Each grave had flowers

Museum near the Bridge

Front of the museum

Bridge from the museum

On the bridge River Kwai

Me on an Elephant

He was so sweet but so uncomfortable!!!

Waterfall 

Me in front of the Waterfall

These are clubs about 8 months old

He is about 1 year old

These animals have no fear of humans

Up close

Baby club playing in the water very close

He was just so cute!!

Finished eating and sleeping lucky for me

Life Challenge:  Health is the greatest gift, contentment is the greatest wealth and faithfulness is the best relationship .....  Buddha