Map Asia 2011

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Today started early, at 5.45am. We had a busy day ahead, a tour taking us out of Bangkok. We rushed downstairs for our complimentary buffet breakfast. Still chewing, we were picked up by bus from our hotel at 6.30am. After several bus transfers, and complications we were eventually on our way, a 2 hour drive out of Bangkok.
The tour group was catered largely for backpackers. We were the only English speaking people on the bus, others being French and Eastern European.
Our first stop of the day was the memorial cemetary at Kanchanaburi. Some 6,400 people were buried here that perished building the 'Death Railway' from Thailand for Burma in WWII. The majority of those buried were English, Dutch and Australian. From here, we wandered through the associated museum for half an hour or so, which gave an account of what actually happened here. We then walked accross the bridge itself, crossing the River Kwai. Near the bridge, we came accross a promotion for Bangkok Zoo with two baby leopards. For just 100 Baht ($3.20 AU) Nat got the oppertunity to hold a baby leopard and feed it two bottles of milk (which it wolfed down delightfully).
The next stop was elephant riding at an Elephant camp. It wasnt the longest ride, but fun enough. Nat had a blast! I felt a little bad for the captive elephants but they still seemed happy enough and in decent health and spirits. I couldnt say the same about the two monkeys kept there... chained around the neck, they seemed hyperactive, drugged, or both. Theres something disturbing about seeing a monkey trying to hang itself and twisting around in circles.
Lunch was pretty awesome, a floating resteraunt on the river with tasty Thai cuisine. We then boareded little bamboo rafts, were towed upstream, cut loose, and left for the current to take us back to our starting location.

After lunch, we stopped briefly at Saiyok Noi waterfall. This was a really picturesque spot for a picnic or even swimming! We didnt have time for the latter, and when I peered into a burrow to see gigantic wriggling crab feet, im glad we didnt.
The last stop of the day was the Tiger Temple. This was fairly awesome, but rushed and over-hyped. The idea behind this place is a place for monks to 'look after' animals and nurse injured animals back to good health. They have volunteers from around the world helping here. The state of tigers was still concerning. They looked heavily sedated, restless and irritated, especially being splashed and forced to 'entertain'. We waited half an hour to walk among the tigers and have photos taken. It was a rushed affair. 'Sit. Touch. Smile for photos. Move along.' Photos as a couple would also cost 1000 Baht ($32AU) On top of the 600 Baht entry fee

After a few photos i'd have rather just spend 30 seconds with the animal, petting its fur and feeling it breathe. This was not an option however.
We took the long journey home, arriving near Ko Shan Road just in time for dinner. We wandered along, and craving steaks found a good place down an alley.
We finished the day with a massage from Dr Fish! I'm not sure how many have seen my feet, but in their current state, they are a disgrace... made worse by extensive walking over this trip. The fish loved me, polishing off every bit of skin or blister they could find. Tasty! It tickled so much, feeling 100s of little fish wriggle between your toes and over your feet, nibbling furiously. Nat and I laughed so much, I think we attracted about 10 other clients,
Today was a great day, and nice to get out of BangkokLeia mais