Tiger Kingdom

Friday, September 16, 2011

We rented a scooter for the day and decided to venture out of downtown Chiang Mai and see what there is to see around town. Well we heard there was a place called "Tiger Kingdom" (sounds magical, doesn't it?) so we headed in that direction. 

I didn't even realize how excited I was until we pulled up and it hit me that I would get to pet a giant kitty cat! Every feminine instinct kicked in and I was pretty much squealing and jumping up and down when I saw the tigers. The cats are beautiful. They look beautiful, they move beautifully. With our ticket, we had 15 minutes to spend with a tiger of our choice in his cage. It wasn't nearly enough. We had just enough time to snap some photos, get the lazy tiger to walk around the cage with us, and force him to do a little snuggling...  then they booted us out. I expected a tiger to be really fluffy and soft, but the hair is coarse and waxy and the body is firm... quite similar to petting a horse. We were allowed to touch the back paws but not the front paws or the face. 

The tigers were really lethargic and the employees at Tiger Kingdom tried to keep them awake by dangling toys on sticks in the air. Many people assume that the tigers are drugged, which made me uneasy. However, Tiger Kingdom had information posted around the site that the tigers are never drugged-- tigers are night hunters and if they are well fed, they have no need to exert energy during the hottest parts of the day. You can read more about it here. 

Last time I wanted a tiger for a pet so much was during my Calvin and Hobbes obsession as a kid! Visiting the tigers in Chiang Mai was one of the highlights from our entire time in Thailand.

- Julia

Baby tiger!

Posted by Julia and Yuriy at 8:01 AM
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33 comments :

  1. kylieSeptember 16, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    what a dream! AWEEEEEEESOME

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  2. SabrinaSeptember 16, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    loveely picture! and...what a courage! :) great blog guys!

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  3. AlexSeptember 16, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    This is AMAZING!! What I wouldn't give to spend some time cuddling with a tiger!

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  4. mizhenkaSeptember 16, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    These photographs are amazing and I envy you so much! I want to snuggle a giant kitty cat!

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  5. Ana OhSeptember 16, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    That is so cool! I love this! Reminds me of when I went on Safari in Kenya. I LOVE the photo of you laying on the tiger in b/w. It's beautiful. They really are beautiful animals.

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  6. Natasha ContrerasSeptember 16, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Omg, that's so awesome! We had a similar experience one time in Mexico, where we got to spend some time with baby lions. Truly majestic creatures. Great photos!

    inlovewithsandiego.blogspot.com

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  7. ChicaSeptember 16, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    OH MY GOD !!! this is so awesome ..you are actually WITH the tigers...so close, petting them...wow !!! am sure it was an amazing experience !

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  8. KaeSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    OH YES! best cat post ever. they look totally awesome.

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  9. Linh + TinaSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    oh WOW! what a cool experience! and i love how the photos turned out, makes me want to cuddle up right next to the tiger. i love the one of Julia with the tail wrapped around her and the one of Yuriy growling, haha, you guys are pretty cute. :)
    -Tina

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  10. LorenaSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    ooooh i would love to do that, tigers are beautiful animals! your photos are awesome!

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  11. Lauren | Eyes/Ears/Mouth+LensSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    What beautiful photos! I was under the impression that they were drugged so that's a huge relief to hear they're not. So happy for you both that you got to go - I didn't have enough time on my trip to make it there! Maybe next time!

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  12. leigh annSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    SOOO cool!!!
    Like a big, beautiful kitten! :)
    Love, Leigh

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  13. nadinebrittSeptember 16, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    WOAH!! I want to pet a tiger now!! That's insane. Such a cool experience, and awesome pictures.

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  14. Kovalchuk Viktor NikolayevichSeptember 16, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    what is wrong with you guys, you could have died!

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  15. InessaSeptember 16, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    what an awesome experience! Love the photos too!

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  16. Dee PaulinoSeptember 16, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    these photos are amazing, I can't believe you touched the tiger!

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  17. janisSeptember 16, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Oh my gosh! These are terrifying and beautiful!

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  18. JillSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    I am also relieved to hear that the tigers aren't drugged. Some volunteers there have reported the handlers beating the tigers, and that the tigers don't have enough space for their mental well-being. Did the park address any of those concerns? I'm excited about the possibility of a non-profit tiger sanctuary that the article you linked to mentioned. And as always, incredible photos!!!

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  19. Hannah AlexanderSeptember 17, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    Wow... this is incredible! What amazing pictures.

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  20. Jenni Austria GermanySeptember 17, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    this is awesome. and you look darling, as usual.

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  21. {jaclyn}September 17, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    i agree with janis, terrifying but beautiful! i don't know if i would have the courage but it sounds like an amazing experience! the photos are absolutely gorgeous and i'm sure you will treasure them. i love the pic of the baby tiger and his colossal paws, so darling!

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  22. Andi of My Beautiful AdventuresSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    My god these are the MOST amazing pictures ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  23. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    AMAZING pictures!!! Had I known that we could get that close in an encounter I would have totally done it!

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  24. Anastasia MarieSeptember 18, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    That is so incredible! I'd love a picture with a tiger. Do you think you could photoshop my face into one of those? haha

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  25. Kris KoellerSeptember 20, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Wow. Amazing. Gutsy. Wow.

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  26. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    I love and enjoy every single picture you take. you catch me, take me with you, give me the bliss of all those beautiful details you shoot... and in the end you leave me with an itchy foot, and a nice longing for foreign places.... thank you for that:-) I greet you from germany, catie*

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  27. Julia and YuriySeptember 20, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Thanks for all the great comments, you guys! It really didn't take much courage because we saw a lot of people go in before us and when they didn't get mauled, it felt safe. We are so grateful for this once in a lifetime experience.

    In Love With San Diego - Snuggling lions is my dream!

    Jill- No, we didn't hear anything negative about the treatment of the tigers. I really hope those rumors aren't true!

    Jaclyn- I didn't notice the size of the paws on the baby tiger, but you're right... they're the size of his head! So cute.

    Catie in Germany- Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. It really makes this blog worthwhile when we get positive notes like yours. :)

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  28. CelesteSeptember 21, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    I'll be honest-- I'm still obsessed with Calvin and Hobbes :)

    But really, these photos are so beautiful; they really capture everything beautiful and majestic about what you guys got to experience.

    Also, if you ever happen to be in the Bay Area and need an extra pair of hands to assist a wedding, I'd be more than happy to volunteer myself! The more amazing photos you post, the more I'm convinced I can learn so much just by hanging out/ observing with you two!

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  29. kristina@beancakes ★September 21, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    wow, wow & wow! this creature is magnificent! what gorgeous photos!!
    xo ~ ks

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  30. Mrs. LimestoneSeptember 22, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    Wow, you guys look so relaxed. Great photos.

    When I was in Bangkok I declined going to the Tiger Temple because it seemed completely terrifying to be around full sized tigers!

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  31. Anna ZimmermanSeptember 23, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    These pictures are so awesome! I love cats... this would be a dream come true for me too. Wow. I'm now determined to go to Thailand and go to Tiger Temple.

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  32. mmelledgeSeptember 24, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    This looks like the most amazing thing! So jealous!

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  33. BamaSeptember 25, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    I've always loved cats. But I never get really enthusiastic for big cats...until I saw those pictures of yours. Now, I love ALL cats!

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