Tiger Temple Part 3, The Trip Ends.

A nice cooling spray of water.

He doesn't seem to mind this.

Tigers are very expensive to feed and staff which helps explain the hefty admission fees charged here. And the monks are still building the new tiger complex which will give them more room to roam freely on the grounds.

After the tiger temple our two wonderful days in Kanchanaburi were over and we were driven back to Bangkok...arriving around 6 pm. Then it was time for a quick dinner and finishing our last minute packing before a 6 am flight home the next morning.

Tiger Temple Part Two

This doesn't look all that comfortable either, especially for the tiger on the left.

The cubs were out as well.

A little behind the left ear please.

Herds of buffalo on the grounds.

Now who is it that has the right of way?

The gate to the grounds.

Tiger Temple Part One

After lunch it was time to go to the Tiger Temple, a large complex where the monks have taken in abandoned animals. There most famous orphans , of course, are the tigers. In the afternoon they take their rest period in a valley where tourists are allowed to have their photos taken with them.

You have your choice of just one photo for the regular admission price of 500 baht ($15) or have several personal photos...including one with a tiger with its head in your lap for an additional 1000. We chose the later of course.

The tigers have a great rapport with the monks who raised them from cubs.

What a nice kitty.

The handlers are extremely careful with the tourists. They are led around by the hand from one pose to another with great care.

You are told exactly what to do while your "handler" takes your photo with your camera.

Somehow that doesn't look all that comfortable.

Trip to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia Part One

Ok. I couldn't wait with the tiger photos. Here is a new photo of me with the tigers from the Tiger Temple in Thailand on this trip. Back to the beginning. We had an overnight (of sorts) layover in Bangkok so my daughter opted to take a snooze on the air mattress she brought along for that purpose.

My son in law Michael adjusts the luggage before we check in for the Hanoi flight.

Out to my favorite restaurant (just down from the hotel of course) in Hanoi for my Spring Rolls fix.

And it was time later for Banana Splits by the Lake. But at almost $6 each we didn't go back.

Then it was off to the main market for a bit of shopping. I have never seen this fountain working here.

I usually spend some time upstairs buying fabric but decided to spare the family this trip.

The shops on a nearby street in the Old Quarter where we were staying were full of these wonderful paper lanterns and decorations.

Then we were off to the Museum of Ethnology...my favorite in the city. This boat is a typical fishing boat and only around 20 years old.

An antique water puppet.

More water puppets.

New Years masks

An antique version of basket seller bicycles which can still be seen on the streets
My favorites of course are the textiles

And, of course the ethnic clothing displayed here.

All embroidered.