The ostrich riding worked up my appetite so I crossed the rode on my bike and devoured a ham and cheese toasted sandwich in a pretty tea garden. I hit the road under the mid-day sun, taking in the beautiful surroundings at a relaxed pace. Since my bike ride in southern Laos to the old Khmer ruins, I've come to appreciate how bicycles allow you to experience an environment in a slower manner.
I was able to stop and take photos of whatever I wanted. I could smell the flowers, feel the sun's intense heat, and curse the gradual inclines you don't feel when driving in a car. I was able to say " hi"? to locals in passing, and when I came upon children walking home from school, they held out their left hand for me to slap while riding by (at the risk of losing my balance, being thrown from the bike and breaking my collarbone).
Initially, I was drawn to the wilderness park because of its cheetah conservancy, but once there, I was treated to an array of wildlife including monitor lizards, white vultures, ring-tailed lemurs, Nile crocodiles, and pygmy hippos.
The big cats were the main highlight, a pair of playful Bengal tigers...
rare white lions...
3 beautiful African lions...
and white tigers.
