Wheelchair friendly tours, part five

February 28, 2007.
Kanchanaburi, Bridge over the River Kwai.

When I heard about the movie "Bridge over the River Kwai", I decide I had to see this spot myself. WOII is part of our history. Not only for Dutch people but for all people worldwide.

Kanchanaburi is about 2,5 hours drive from our apartment Tira Tiraa in Hua Hin. So my family and I left early in the morning in a wheelchair accessible minivan with driver. First we went to the Jeath War museum to learn about the area and the prisoners who built the bridge. The second stop was the graveyard of the soldiers who lost their life here during World War II.
Third stop was the new bridge. And last but not least the old bridge and the train. We had lunch next to the bridge. The view from the restaurant was magnificent, the old bridge and the river with floating hotels surrounded by lush vegetation. Sadly enough this train wasn't accessible for wheelchairs. So only my family got on the train and the driver and I went by car to the next train station.

Afterwards we have visited the Tiger temple. More info about this temple and the rescue of tigers in this post.

Access to tigers and wheelchairs

June 11, 2007. Tiger temple.

We don't like to watch animals in a zoo. We never goo to a zoo. But we care about animals in the wild. And we very much like the work of the monks in this temple. They try to prevent the tigers from extinction.

Since the time we have visited this temple a lot has changed. They have a website now where you can read what the monks do to save the tigers.

You can watch tigers, big and small. And like the picture show you can even touch them. Two men lifted Jan to the tiger. They didn't allow him to approach the tiger in his wheelchair. The tigers don't know the sound. So this may easily disturb them. Jan was amazed how big a tiger really is when you are that close to the animal. We have enjoyed our trip to this temple.

Do you want to got too? Here is the address.

"Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno Forest Monastery"
(TIGER TEMPLE),
Saiyok District, Kanchanaburi Province, 71150;
THAILAND Tel: 034-531-557, Fax: 034-531-558