AYUTTHAYA - CHANG MAI
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2008
1
77
319
Trip End
Sep 02, 2009
Ayutthaya,
Thailand
Saturday, December 13, 2008
We checked out and left our bags in the office until 8 tonight when we catch the bus. We still have the bicycles so we rode over to where the festival was and walked down the streets looking at all the things for sale. They had a large section on furniture, that is all made of wood, particle board seems to be non existent here. The furniture was teak, we looked at a desk and tried both of us together to pick up a corner, no luck. We ended up at the elephant area and just got in with a large group of tourists. They had the area roped off and the elephants came in a put on an incredible performance of standing on their hind feet and then walking, standing on their front feet with their hind feet in the air, swinging hula-hoops, playing harmonicas and flutes, dancing, I don't think there wasn't anything these beasts couldn't do if asked. It was very impressive and they all got rewarded with cucumbers from the tourist group. The elephants grab the cucumbers with their snout and put it in their mouth, but with so many being offered, they would fill their mouth and then take another cucumber and cradle it in their trunk and go back for more while they are chewing what they already have. We watched one guy cradle 4 cucs until his mouth was empty. They got out a tip basket and had the big elephant stand on the two metal platforms and the people walked under the elephant and around 3 times. Had to be a 'good luck' thing. It was another memorable day.
We were picked up and taken to where we were to meet the bus, but plans changed and we now are taken out to the highway with 3 others to catch the bus. There are some big hotels all decorated for Christmas, there are lots of decorated christmas trees with presents underneath.
We arrive at the bus stop and the big bus pulls up. It is one of those fancy big busses we watched drive the kids back and forth to school in Ayuttaya. Len had wanted to get on one and now we are. The bus is just about full and we are taken to the front! Not the very front row as they have blocked that off for the driver to have a sleep when they switch. We are off and away. It feels quite nice and with the big windows we have a great view. A movie is playing, but we have missed the first 1+hour of it. We got on with shorts and sleeveless tops as it was a hot day and it feels good in the ac bus. The movie ends and most are trying to relax and sleep. It is getting cool, we each have a blanket with our seat, now we pull out our own little blankets. We stop for a break for the driver to eat. I change to another top with sleeves and keep all the blankets on me while Len is out. I go out for a break and it is warmer outside than on the bus. We are off, others have asked for the air to be turned down or off. We now pull out our fleece jackets, much better. We stop and the driver gets out and does something to get rid of the air. Too soon we arrive at Chang Mai just after 6. It is cool here and we keep our jackets on. We check out a couple of rooms and settle on one.
At 6 you don't think too straight. Once in the room we realize there isn't a TV and the sink is out on the balcony! Oh, well it is clean and we can always find another place.
We head out to get breakfast, drop the laundry off and explore the town.
We do find another room that is very big, lots of furniture to put our bags on, a TV and fan and refrigerator, so we make arrangements for tomorrow.
(Just watching CNN Asia and Winnipeg is on the international weather news because of the -39 temps. Sorry guys, we are happy not to be there right now.)
The owners show us on where to tour around town to look at the temple ruins and special Buddhas. We walk towards the old moated city area. There are several books stores and we find a used travel book on Thailand. We walk down the main street and visit all the temples along the way, there is one area with lots of temples around the main old ruin which has elepant heads built into it. In two of the side temples there is a wax figurine of a honoured monk. There is a plaque giving his name, and that he is honoured because of being a scholar of the religeon, but no dates. It is an amazing life size and looking figure of the monk under glass. I was expecting him to lift an arm or turn his head. The next temple had another monk, but nothing to describe who he was. Len's picture speaks for itself.
We find a cheap place for lunch on our day trek. Getting tired we head back for a nap before diner and the Sunday night market. Another shower and a little sleep makes one feel just great.
The night market begins under the old gate and then all along the street on both sides, and all the temples we went into are now food courts. It is very crowded and lots of clother, crafts and food to choose from. We were going to each again at the cheap restaurant, but it is closed so vendors tonight. We have chicken and pork bbq on a stick, some fried noodles that were cold and musshy, some fried chicken balls and french fries. For dessert I have cooked corn cut off the cob, mixed with sugar, salt, raisens and evaporated milk and margarine served up in a cup. MMMMmm good. Len had watermellon and then we shared banana spring rolls cut up and drizzeled with sweetened milk.
Down the street centre are various musicians, dancers and singers all with a hat out for tips. There must be a very good musical school here as there were several playing violins and a small group of violins, guitar and base playing classical music. There are a lot of tourists, but more Thai people looking and buying.
The young people are just going out as we go to bed. Len says, they'll be back at 2 and will be noisy. Yes, they did ccome back and someone up above went out and tried to shsh them, but only caught a few's attention.
