AYUTTHAYA DAY 2
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2008
1
75
319
Trip End
Sep 02, 2009
Ayutthaya,
Thailand
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Today we are trying out the laptop. We found a hot spot in our area and are able to get on line. We subscribed to Skype and we are still trying to figure it all out and get the programs needed into the computer so we can call to landlines. After some frustration we get to talk to most of the family and all were surprised to hear from us and we were happy to talk to them.
After lunch we rented bikes and are off to search out more wats and tour the town. It is actually an island with a river running all around it. We head back to the area we were in yesterday. The side streets are filled with street vendors as there is a sound and light show on this weekend. Looks like it will be a big crowd. We then find the elephant coral. There are about 17-20 of the big beautiful creatures here. The all have carriages on their back to take tourists and visitors for rides. We watch a couple of little ones first and then look at the big ones. Ones is walking away and the handler yells at it by name. The elephant stopped and turned around and came back to a spot by the railing. The handler talks to it again and it backs out and moves around an elephant and stands in one spot over. Quite amazing. A couple come to have a ride and walk up the stairs to the stand. Another handler is standing us there and he calls his elephant to come over and he comes right away, stops and waits for the handler to get on and then the couple get into the basket for their ride. The elephant makes the trumpet noise or call and away they walk.
We tour around the area on our bikes and then head out of town to see wat Phu Khao Thong. The entrance drive is long and has a statue of King Naresuan. The street is line with ornamental roosters of various sizes, most are black, but there are some fancy silver and gold ones. The wat has a white finish unlike all the other red ones in this area and is very tall. We climbed up all the 80 stairs and walked around the top. It is a huge and again we are amazed how they would have built it back in 1384.
Back on the bikes and we head into the city. We ride all around the perimeter and notice all throughout the city there are wat remains scattered here and there. None are fenced in, they are just part of the community. We did very well remembering to ride on the left side of the road and did make it around corners and across streets.
We return the bikes and stop at the café next door for dinner. It is a jazz café started by a group of local friends who are musicians. They have a write up in the menu, they went to school together, all went their own way to college, and then met up again and formed a band. Tried to make it big in Bangkok, but it didn't materialize, so they all ended up back in their home town and opened the café. From 8:30 to 10:30 they play live music for their guests. We first had a beer, it was cold and served in cold mugs. The day was hot and it was just perfect. The corn man went buy and the locals were buying it so I went and got one to. It was very hot and good. The meal was enjoyable and the music from our era. We got to see part of their wedding video. We walked towards the main street and when we got there we hear lots of birds making lots of squawking. There were light going down the centre of the street and they look like rain falling. They were unique and beautiful. We crossed to the centre strip just to look up and down the street to see the lights as far down as we can. The town is also decorated for the king's birthday with flags and streamers. The lights are incredible.
We stop in at a department store we found this afternoon looking for the bike rental. It really isn't big but the only one we have found so far. We check out the cosmetics and then into the grocery part. We look at the drinks and munchies and then just up and down the isles to see what is unusual. They are playing jingle bells over the sound system and I am singing along. We go into the department side of the store and there is a Christmas/New Years decoration area, It is very small, and not much there. We find a little tree, but there isn't a price on it. We ask how much and because it is the only one, they just copy a price from another little tree, 47 bhats. So we decide to take it, but Len says he only wants to pay 20 bhats. There are about 3 girls at the cash register and they get out the old calculator and show us 47 bhats. Len says naw and puts 20 bhats into the calculator. They shake their heads no. Len says he will dance for them and begins to dance to the music being piped in. They all giggle, we now have the attention of more employees. Len says he will dance with me and we begin to dance together. I think a manager has come over and Len says to him 30 bhats and he agrees. So we make the purchase and take our little green tree with gold stars on it home. I go over and hug the manager and then put my hands together and bow, he does the same bow. Len then hugs the cashier and rubs his beard on her cheek. She giggles and all the girls are giggling. We wave and say good-bye to them all. I think we really made their day and they will remember us for days if not years to come. We end our day with a DQ Blizzard and a lovely warm evenings walk home. It is a full moon tonight.
We are in town tomorrow, but will catch the overnight bus to Chang Mai at 8 p.m.
Comments
All Skyped UP!
It was great to speak with you face to face today. You will enjoy Skype a great deal! Once you get a good internet connection there is virtually no delay and the picture is outstanding.
Dad should have held out on the store manager. I am sure he would have paid him to leave the store a few minutes later! :)
dancejill and dancing len
Ayutthya,sounds like an interrupted sneeze. Well God Bless you two.I am traveling along with you and enoying every moment especially now that there are clean sheets and a DQ. I think you are really enjoying Thailand. I and sometimes we,because Mardena does not get on the computer hardly ever. Great pictures along the way too. Len and his female attractant(Oh bearded one)let touch your beard ha ha. Keep on enjoying yourselves and stay healthy too. We are currently in Satee Lakes east of San Diego roughting it in this great RV park. We are visiting with our daughter and son and his family, We are off to LaJolla now. Thank you for your details of your travels. Henry