Today has been long, hot but bloody fantastic. We were up early again at 6.00am to catch our rescheduled tour. We were collected at 6.50am by the actual tour guide today so we over the moon. We had a short drive to Ko San road to pick up other members of the tour. As the bus filled up and people moved about seats I ended up sitting behind Ashleigh next to a German family. Ashleigh asked me to pass her book out so she could have a read. I wanted to read mine too but as I am reading a book about Auschwitz I thought I would leave it as I didnt want to make them feel bad. (Might I add that I told Peter not to take the book travelling so I took great pleasure in saying I told you so! ha) After about an hour on the bus the German kid sat next to me fell asleep and his head was bobbing about like a nodding dog. Gradually his head bobbed it's way over onto my shoulder on numerous occasions which started to get on my nerves a bit. Bloody Germans, if they arnt stealing your sun lounger they are sleeping on your shoulder.

We arrived at the Damnernsaduak Floating markets at about 9.30am. We paid 300 baht (7-8 pound) to get a paddle boat tour of the main market. It was great. Obviously they hastle you to buy stuff but you do as the Thai's do and just ignore them. We both expected to see a lot more food based boats on the market like fruit and spices but the tourist trap has taken over. Still brilliant though. After our paddle boat tour we took a narrow motor boat around the village were the market workers live. We both loved it and sat in sillence as we tried to take everything in. Kids waving to us from there water side home's to a grandmother simply looking after her grandchild. But what a setting, I was trying to get a picture of the dragon flies that were there but they were far to quick.

We got back onto the bus around 11.30am and drove to get a spot of lunch. Afterward we made our way to the Jeath Museum next the the Bridge over the river Kwai. We decided to skip the museum as it was another 40 baht for entry and walked down to the bridge. It was weird walking over the bridge as we were walking on old bits of wood and steel sheet. Perfectly safe but if it was in England there would have been hand rails and fences up the side of the walk way. We both enjoyed walking over the Bridge over the river Kwai and the views were spectacular. It would never be allowed back home though as there was big gaps at the side of the narrow metal walkway. We had to move aside to let people past and Ashleigh was not too happy with the movement towards the big gaps! We enjoyed the walk though and were both pleased to now be able to say we have walked over the River Kwai bridge (Ernie you must know this bridge?)

After this we headed to the Tiger Temple where we were asked to wear tee shirts. Remember we are in such hot humid heat here so the more clothes on your body was not good but once we entered it was worth every drop of sweat that turned our clothes a darker shade! As soon as we walked through the temple we greated by wild Boars, Water Buffalos, and Horses. It was a great struggle to even walk slow in this heat. If we didnt show it the wild Water Buffalo walking next to us was, as it walked like a bike with a buckled wheel! We walked straight to the Tiger canynon where Ash went 1st to get her pictures taken with many tigers. You were guided by hand to each tiger then asked to sit while getting your photo taken. Ashleigh looked like she was kind of enjoying it until a big one moved its head towards her and made a growling noise. She was pulled back quickly by the guide as you can see in the blurred photo. She quickly returned for me to go and stroke the tigers. I thought the the fur would be rather fluffy to touch but it is infact rather course. I still loved sitting and stroking each tiger as they lay in the hot sun. Its rather mind blowing really to think we have both stroked tigers today.

We then walked to the tigers walkway where the monks raise, handle and feed the cubs. We meet some cubs and Ash got her photo taken with some which she enjoyed as they were smaller than her but was still too scared to kiss them eventhough women proved it possible before her. We then had a walk through the temple and watched the Wild Water Buffalos bath in the water in a big group. It was amazing to watch such wildlife so close. We thought about joining them in the water to try to escape the constant heat! We eneded the trip to the temple by watching the tigers be walked to their open reserve area for the night then the rest of the wild animals being round up for feeding time.

This day has been fab and we have really enjoyed it, worth every drop of sweat, bhat spent, and numb bum on the journey! We then started a 3 hour journey home on a cramped bus but we were glad of the air conditioning. We are just drinking our 2nd big Chang beer each before we head to bed for an early night as we are knackered from today and have another big adventure tomorrow. ROLL ON CAMBODIA!!!!

As much as we have loved our time in Bangkok we both feel its time to move on and are very excited to explore Cambodia with the killing fields and sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple. We arent sure on internet access there so we may not be on here again for a little while but we will be back updating you all as soon as possible!

Love Peter and Ashleigh X