River Kwai to Ayutthaya
We slept better our second night in the jungle. We were tired and getting used to the sounds of the jungle creatures. During our stay, it rained on and off at times quite heavily. The hotel had umbrellas available and staff would bring them out to guests if they saw them trapped under one of the many covered sitting areas on the hotel grounds. We benefited from this on our first night when there was a downpour just as a Thai traditional music and dance performance was ending. The rains never lasted long during our stay. Early low lying clouds hung in the cliffs and above the jungle until the sun burned them off. It was always hot and humid. Temperatures in the 90s with 110% humidity (and it is winter here). Our guide tells us it gets much worse during the monsoon and summer seasons.
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| River Kwai |
In Ayutthaya we visited the temple ruins Wat Maha That. This religious complex dates back to the early 14th Century CE. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times and currently stands in ruins. In 1767, an invading Burmese army set the monastery on fire and it was never rebuilt. This monastery was one of the most important religious sites because relics of the Buddha were enshrined here. It is now an impressive testament to the devout nature of the people of Siam/Thailand then and today. Shrines and temples are ubiquitous in Thailand.
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| Wat Maha That in Ayutthaya |
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| Wat Maha That |
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| Buddas at Wat Maha That |
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| Buddha Head In Sacred Bodhi Tree |
We ended the day with our farewell dinner at our hotel in Ayutthaya. It was a set dinner with great service but average food in a weird setting. The dining hall was set for hundreds but the only customers were the 20 in our group and 3 guys at another table sitting along a wall across from the female singer and her accompanist. They did their best at playing old American standards from the 50s. After the dessert was served and consumed, everyone just sat there wondering what to do next. We took the initiative and left with the rest following our lead. We were tired and went to bed early.
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