Ayutthaya

After the kids returned to school T's mom and dad and I decided to go out and do some exploring on our own. We drove up to Ayutthaya, about 45 minutes north of here. This is the former capital of Thailand and now sits in ruins. It was a big, bustling, beautiful place until 1767 when it was attacked by the Burmese. In the decades before, it is thought that the population may have reached 1,000,000, making it one of the largest cities in the world at that time. The city was never rebuilt. Instead, the monarchy relocated down the Chao Phraya River to what is now Bangkok.

It's an interesting day and a fun place to bring the camera.

Buddhas, Tuk-Tuks, and Mythical Creatures

T's family was up for all things Thai so day 3 was spent visiting 3 of the most famous Buddhist temples in Thailand. The best way to get there from our "suburb" was by river taxi. So down the Chao Praya River we went. Much nicer than sitting in traffic on the expressway!

 Making an appearance with D below, is Flat Zachary, of Ankeny, Iowa, USA! Welcome to Thailand Flat Zachary!

So we visited Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and The Grand Palace. All big tourist spots, and for good reason. They are beautiful, interesting, and give you some insight into the Thai way of life and worship.
Wat Arun means, "Temple of the Dawn." It is decorated with porcelain dishes that were once used as ballast on Chinese trading ships. Brilliant early recycling!

Anyway, it's a fun stop, and a steep climb!

 What Pho is famous for housing the world's largest reclining Buddha. And he's somethin', right Kristi and Joe!?

Below, the kids couldn't resist giving alms in the monk bowls. They make a fun noise in the metal bowls that echoes through the entire temple. Clink! Clink! Clink! 

Tuk-tuk rides to the Grand Palace! We should have put C in the driver's seat.

What's on the menu C?

And finally the Grand Palace and Wat Phra See Keow. Home of the Emerald Buddha. He's carved from 1 solid piece of jade and they dress him in golden clothes according to the seasons. It's winter here, ya know, better put him in a big golden parka! (Just kidding, there's no parka....and really no winter. He's currently wearing a robe-type garment. And a hat.)

Difficult pose to hold but anything for the shot!

Searching the massive murals for all of the Thai mythical creatures: Naga- serpent like protector of the Buddha, Singha- lion like temple guardian, Yaksha- giant, Garuda- half-man, half-bird, Erewan- 3-headed elephant, Kinnari- half-woman, half-bird. Plus more! The paintings kept the kids busy!

So pleased to bring visitors, T, and the kids here. What a fun day in the city!

Only in Thailand

Often I say and hear others use the phrase, "Only in Thailand..." when something happens around here that you are unlikely to see anyplace else. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, sometimes it just leaves you shaking your head. Today's only in Thailand moment came at lunch.
T and I took his dad and the kids to a nearby fondue restaurant. It wasn't busy (Thank goodness!) and our meal was nice. Between the second and third courses, C expressed a need to use the restroom. D offered to take him as she knew where it was, so we let them go together. A short time later, we look up to see D returning to our table, followed by C, holding hands with a member of the housekeeping staff and wearing just his shirt and little red Crocs, with nothing on his little bottom half. My jaw hit the table. We are in the middle of a restaurant and his little parts are on display!!!
The housekeeper is grinning from ear to ear and carrying a soggy pair of Thomas the Tank Engine underpants and his shorts. At the time, there was one other table in the place and I'm sure they were wondering what was going on. I avoided making eye contact with them.
As little kids do, C didn't make it to the pot in time. It happens, no big deal, kids do it all the time. What DOESN'T happen all the time is when a hotel employee cleans your son up, washes out his dirty undies and shorts, and returns him to your lunch table half-naked.
Unsure of what to do next, (and still awaiting the chocolate fondue course which was not to be missed), the sweet girl then took his wet items off to the laundry, dried them, and returned 15 minutes later. C re-dressed himself and went about playing with his cars as though none of this had ever happened.
Yes, we tipped the wait staff AND housekeeping well. Seriously... only in Thailand!

"Madame Neu-aay"

Today was an awesome day. It was a day that makes me so thankful that I live here and have the good health, time, and resources to do good things. Last week, a friend sent out an email invitation to volunteer with disabled children from a nearby orphange. The email came just moments after I stated just how crazy busy the upcoming week was going to be. But my Tuesday daytime was free...
And so I was on the list to join a wonderful group of ladies and children on an adventure. With 10 of us willing to volunteer our time and energy, we escorted 11 children to the Chatuchak Train Park today.

Such a beautiful place. I was pleasantly surprised by the bicycle rental beside the park. The bikes were in great shape, (Nice switch from the bikes of our Vietnam adventure, though you know I loved that too). We rented 19 bikes for 300 Baht ($9.86 USD). Amazing.

I was partnered up with a young lady named Yoy. She is verbal but spoke no English. I was glad I could speak enough Thai that we had a pleasant conversation on the car ride to the park. She and Khun Bub spoke quite a bit and she took to calling me "Madame" because that's what he calls me. 

Yoy walks with a cane and can't pedal a bicycle so we were sure to find a bike with seats for 2. After a few wobbles and frightened squeals (from both of us), I was ready to pedal us around that park. Yoy was ready to hold on for dear life.

Yoy enjoyed the ride so much she didn't want to stop for the playground, or to eat. But we did need a rest so we sat down with the rest of the group at lunchtime and took a break. Then, more cycling and finally a stop at the Butterfly garden.

I have to give a big hand to our driver, Khun Bub, today. One of the ladies on the list to volunteer was unable to come, which means one of the children all suited up and ready would have to be left behind at the orphanage. No one liked that idea as these children rarely get to take trips out anyway, if ever. So, I abruptly volunteered Khun Bub to ride a bike alongside one of the children. He went along with the plan, smiling the whole time, but did inform me it has probably been 15 years since he's ridden a bike for such a duration. Definately not how he planned to spend his day but he was  great sport...and was probably asleep in bed by 7pm.

He and I were both asking Yoy if she was tired on the drive home. She shook her head, "Mai Neu-aay." (Not tired.) "Madam neu-aay!" followed by lots of giggling. She was asleep 5 minutes later.