An early start (surprise surprise- and no, these early starts have not made me change my ways and become a morning person!) we (auzzie room mate and a couple of girls from Glasgow) get a tuk tuk to take us tiger kingdom. Just an hour or so away from the city. We arrive and are presented with the decision of which tigers we want to see. Most expensive for youngest, cheapest oldest- guess you get that with people too eh?! Anyway we decide on a combo deal for the youngest and biggest. Best decision! We spend 15 minutes playing with 2 of the tinniest baby tigers ever. They were really playful and made cute growl like purrs as they strolled around the floor. So cute! We then head to a very docile bunch of big tigers- the keepers insist they are not drugged as they tire them out during the day, it is hot so they are sleepy, they are domesticated etc etc. and I think I do believe them. They were also very cute and I was sad to leave when our time was up. We head back to the city and next to do is have a wander around to soak up a bit of culture.
We visit a couple of amazing temples. The one that is most memorable for me had several temples in its grounds and was surrounded by a mix of monks with brightly orange coloured robes and tourists. Boards of inspirational Buddhist quotes were hanging onto most trees and it was very thought provoking reading them all. My favourite: Eat to live but live to eat (already my motto!)
After the temples we went to the woman's correctional institute to have traditional Thai massages from inmates who are at the end of their sentence and are raising money for when they are released. At first I was slightly wary, but their friendliness and kindness made me at ease... and the massage was incredible (and cheaper than the seedy massage places in town). I did want to ask what my lady had done- but I thought it may have been inappropriate! Another traveller I have met said that she asked her masseuse and with a sliding finger motion across the neck she stated she killed her husband! Eeek. Quite glad I didn't ask mine what she did!
After a leisurely strole back from the prison we go to a lonleyplanet recommended restaurant. I ordered the northern Thailand speciality of chicken soup/curry with rice... mild... And it came ridiculously spicy. It brought tears to my eyes and paralysed my tongue. Most of you know I don't drink fizzy drinks but my mouth was burning so painfully I had to order a lemonade to calm my mouth and put out the fire!
After the paralysis wore off we head back to the hostel for bedtime.