A Day in the Tiger Temple

A day at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburit, Thailand. That was amazing to see.
It took us three hours from HuaHin to go up North West in the country. It was more up in the jungle we came too. The taxi driver had never been here before so we had to stop every now and then. The weather condition at the moment is rainy and heavy storms. So we came in to that kind of weather during our way up. It is hot and humidity outside and in the taxi we hade AC on. It was really cold. Funny but it is true. It felt cold when the thermometer showed +26 degrees in the cab. On our way up we stopped twice for toilet and we bought some snacks as well. At the entrance to the park a lady high lighted that I could not enter with a pink shirt. It was due to the danger to the tigers. It might annoy them. Then I had to buy a black tiger shirt. Maybe it was a sales trick but I did not dare to ask her. I believed the story she told me. After all I am in a foreigner country and prefer to stick to the rules.

We were in a group that walked up to the tigers cave. Arrangements were done for us. We walked in lines, had to stay quiet and were only allowed to approach the tigers from behind or side ways. One by one with a guide that took pictures with our cameras. A magic moment and I am feeling humbled to the experience. It was a huge park with other animals too. I think they were to be food for the tigers. I saw deer’s, boars, goats and different birds. The monks could really handle the cats with love and respect. The young ones were playing and lying in their laps. Purring when they have got petted. They are very much a like our cats at home. Just little bit bigger. The only thing I did not like was that one big tiger were a photo shot model and he seemed to be little drugged. Maybe they have to do that to make him lay in the audiences laps. The money was to the park for taking care of the animals and I think that is fair. I also gave donations to them. It always feels good.

Once we greeted the animals and the monks by saying thank you and good bye it was time to go back. In to the air-conditioned car and three hours in front of us. It is easy to get in to deep thoughts about the park. In one hand is it right to keep the animals there and what are the options? Well first of all if they are orphan’s or injured what do we do? Heal them and send them to a National Park in another country? The other alternative is to keep them here and give them as much care and pamper as possible. Yes they become a tourist attraction either way but at least here they are as free as they can get without the cages. The monks treat them well. Otherwise the animals were going amok and honestly they looked good and felt pretty happy too.