Leaving bangkok early but really in no rush since Kanchanaburi is a happening place for locals also and buses leave for here from 5am to 10:30pm every half hour. So knowing how impossible it is to be late for the bus, I slept in a bit before heading to the station around 10am. The first taxi I got in seemed nice enough but then refused to use the meter telling me there was a " traffic jam " and would take a long time so it was 200 baht. Bullshit. So I got out and before I could even flag down another one a guy asked me where I was going, I told him in Thai, Sai Tai Mai which is the southern station since there are 3 bus stations here. He sent one of his taxi's and got the meter going and set off. The fare there ended up being 91 baht, and we hit zero traffic along the way. Gotta love it.

   At the station I chilled out a bit and again in no rush had an breakfast/lunch there. The ticket was only 75 baht for the 2+ hour trip, and I know that last time it was 100 but who knows. Took a few minutes for the bus to arrive but was soon on with my new bags underneath which I was weary of putting under since they were new. The journey went by fast as 2 hours is 5 minutes time it seems after dealing with so many longer rides. Being back here was nice, and I split a ride into town with a dutch couple from the bus. They wanted to keep looking so I got off before them at a place I stayed before. When Ice, the lady who runs the place saw me she was really excited I came back here and that " I didn't forget them ". Her daughter on the other hand asked me who I was at first, the beard just made that much a difference. I was nice to be back here as the family at this 2 room only guesthouse really makes you feel at home. Unfortunately the room had to be cleaned and it took hours while I walked around to clean up from the guest who just left.

    I got settled in later and after resting a while I got ready and went out to meet Ice for dinner. We got on the bike and drove to a small bar and restaurant to eat and relax a bit. I was really nice to go out and just chat away. We caught up on things and we took bets whether or not her boyfriend Stuart who I met last time would recognize me tomorrow. It always throws me off when I eat with someone here as your always expected to foot the bill. The average local here wouldn't eat at the restaurants as there too pricy so anything besides street food your paying lol. Things went well and had a good time before going back and crashing as I was tired from the contant moving of the past few days.

    In the morning, after getting woken up by someone knocking at my door thinking it was where they could find Ice about the other room, I went fr\or a walk around town and picked up some phone cards and made a small round of calls. Catching up is always nice. If you end up reading this, Ernie you reaction to me calling was the best. Getting back feeling really hot I went into Ice's attached internet shop for the  A/C and surfed a while before eating some noodle soup she was nice enough to have her daughter pick up while she was out. After I got a ride back to near the river kwai bridge to see the old friend again. Before getting there however, I came across a most amazing thing. A young Leopard sitting on a table with his handler jumping on some ladies lap. I had to get in on this, and so soon after I was right there where she was. Unlike the lazy tigers from last year who I found out where like that from abuse, this guy was full of energy and from a conservation park where you could go and play with anthing from giraffes to elephants all hands on and for a good cause. It was all fun and games until he decided to jump and my back and leap into air using me as a springboard. I laughed after and so did the crowd watching, but for a split second I thought my neck was getting torn out......

    Talking to the handler afterwards, he gave me a pamplet about the Safari Park Open Zoo Conservation Center ( What a long name ) which I just might go too. He actually mentions Tiger Temple in his pitch about the place saying the animals here are very much awake and full of life. Its definately a case of a place being a bit pricy but you need it to be that way. When its cheap, you end up with abused animals rather than a place with the actual funds needed to care for them. Before leaving I watched a very lucky guy get to bottle feed the young fellow which was one of the most priceless things I've seen to date and play around with an aempty water bottle. Truly a great time.

    After the great leopard adventure, I made my way to the bridge walking up and down before stopping where I posed for pictures before and asking someone to take one for me. It was really interesting because a little less than 3 months ago I stood here with a bunch of stubble on my face, the birth of what was to become the great mop. Made for some really great before and after shots though!

               After (1)                            Before                               After (2)

    Heading out I looked down the long railway and watched a man walk down the ride which for whatever reason I found nice. I was hungry so ate riverside before getting a ride back to the room and then internet shop to get the leopard on here while I was still excited about seeing him. Decided to take it easy and stay here a week really taking in the place, enjoying time with the family I'm staying with and in the end also save some money in the long run. It's going to be nice and really I think a much needed stay.