Pics of Bangkok and around Ayutthaya... read more

We decided on a day trip to the ruins of the central plains north of Bangkok today, and thought the best deal was to take a bus tour up there (about 70km) and take a river cruise back. We went with the Grand Pearl company, very organized! From Bangkok to the Royal palace, Bang Pa-in, super peaceful and calm, then on to the ruins at Mahathat and then Ayutthaya. The huge gilded Budda in the temple there was very impressive, and we were able to feed and pet the "royal" elephants. the guide then took us back to the river where we boarded a boat, and had lunch cruising back to Bangkok. It was a very hot, tiring day, but after a swim, we headed out to find a restaurant that was in the fodor's guide: ... read more

Hot and muggy as usual, but sunny today ...late start after a swim, took the wee ferry over the river for 10cents each, then a river cruise for a few hours around the canals and to Wat Arun (temple of the rising sun). Poor Katie....bursing bladder necessitated our driver stopping at a minor neighborhood temple! Funny to see the rich and poorhuddled side by side, palaces and shacks! I kept wanting to recycle all the tossed water bottles and tidy up a bit! Lunch was chicken from a street cart...still alive (so far!). tomorrow to Ayutthya!... read more

Very sad on the very long (16hrs) flight here but have arrived safe in Bangkok. We are staying at the Ibis riverside :0)....very clean and friendly, great pool right on the river across from the very busy city. A little trek to get places, but still managed to see the Royal Palace today (wow moments at every turn of the camera) then on to the MBK mall (6 stories of bargains)....so funny to see ourselves haggling over, like 50cents! Just finished a little night swim. Now to see if I can add pics to this!... read more