Meeting the Tigers of Chaing Mai

K So I have realized this trip really is about plans B,C,& D.

Once we got into Chiang Mai we decided we were much to tired to figure out very many plans. We booked the Zip Line adventure for Monday and headed out to an adventure. But soon realized a lot of things (AKA Elephants & Tiger Kingdom) were closed. Luckily we checked with the front desk, who informed us that Tiger Kingdom was open despite what the website says. We went with a very pleasant driver out to Tiger Kingdom, he told us a bit about the area of Chiang Mai. He joked about being scared of the tigers. (I mean who wouldn't looking at that back paw..)


There are several different packages you can purchase for visiting the Tigers.  Jamie and I did the Smallest (around 3 months old) the Small (I think still under a year but bigger) and the Large cats.  We also decided it was worth it to pay for the photographer, since we split the cost for one photographer and that way we didn't have to worry about taking pictures.



We started out with the smallest, they require you to wash your hands and put on a special set of slippers before going in to see the babies.  It was very nice that we had the tigers to ourselves, granted it was the off season, but there was no crowding. The babies were adorable, so sleepy. One was feeling a little playful to the annoyance of the others.

 The staff was so great to work with, and I know there are lots of rumors about drugging the tigers, but these guys did not look, nor act drugged. All their lazing about is what they do, they are Cats after all...














We went in to play with the small tigers next, and with each enclosure you have a tiger keeper/trainer who accompanies you in for safety. These guys were great and perfectly playful, and co-operative.















Then on to the large cats... They crack me up, these cats are so used to people they have adopted an attitude of "do what you want, and if you really need me to wake up, I will".

Later as we sat in the cafe eating lunch, we watched one of the trainers have a one on one interaction with his large tiger.There was much respect there.

From there we headed back to Chiang Mai.  We stopped off at a jewelry store, many drivers have deals with the jewelers, if the drivers bring their customers by, then the jewelers give the drivers a gas card, even if you don't buy anything. So we just went along, and found some really great, but expensive jewelry... Some day.


We found a great place for food on the river bank, perfect romantic setting if you ever, (ahem MATT) need a great place for a certain questions ; ) We went with our classic pizza Margherita but so many of the dishes sounded absolutely delicious. I definitely would recommend eating or staying at the Sala Lanna.
We ended our day at the night market. I loved this place, it looks small but it keeps spreading out thru alley ways. Tons of good, handcrafted stuff. I got a great skirt, Jamie bought a darling carryon bag.
Once thru we thought we could walk back, but we were so turned around, we asked one of the stall owners and she got her friend, a driver, to come tell us how to get back... in the end he gave us a good price and drove us home since it was a bit farther then we wanted to walk at night.

* All my picture skills apparently got used up for the day with the tigers, oops.... Enjoy!

A day in transition-Cambodia to Chiang Mai

Whew, I am back! Sometimes colds can really knock you out. But.. Leaving Siem Reap and go!!

What a great day to travel! During the night it poured rain complete with lightning and thunder. So when our bus came to pick us up it was perfect, despite the literal downpour.
We made a few more rounds and then all packed onto a bigger bus for the ride to the border. Our total travel time was to be 6 hours to Bangkok... Those 6 hours turned into 12.

We drove to the border, and then all had to cross the border on foot, getting out of Campodia was easy, getting into Thailand was a bit trickier with a very long, long line. But once thru we broke into smaller groups and rode in vans to Bangkok.

I had scheduled our flight at  21.00 to give us plenty of time, turns out that time vanished with the rain and we barely made it to the ticket counter on time.  We did get to ride the airport link which was super fancy, and convenient. Unless you have large bags...

Oh tidbit Seven-Eleven is everywhere over there, and are happy to break large bills that the ATM spits out. We boarded our flight where off to Chiang Mai. I love landing at night in a new city. It's like a surprise waiting to happen. You take roads and end up at your hotel, with no idea of your surroundings, but then in the morning you wake up and take a look outside and SURPRISE there is a beautiful, or not so beautiful in some cases, view out your window.

Other plans we had for Cambodia and are worth checkin out
Volunteer at an Orphanage
Yoga-Plethora of studios
Artisan Classes http://www.backstreetacademy.com/#!siem-reap/cmh3

This place has local artisans that will teach you their trade, and with how inexpensive it is, it is definitely worth a look

 List of more activities for Siem Reap

http://www.travelfish.org/sights/cambodia/western_cambodia/siem_reap/siem_reap