Thailand 2005-2006 Home Base and Eldertreks Tour

Hong Kao Ngai Market Town

Leaving 8:30 this morning we headed for Ayutthaya by way of a typical town market in Nong Kao Ngai. At the practically deserted market we found a few hospitable merchants who gave us a tour and offered us candies and tea. Some of us were leery after hearing that a 15th c. king had abandoned this town after some of his court came down with dysentery because of ‘dirty water.’We were shown the local craft product, pocketbooks made from recycled plastic, which were designed to be sold at tourist centers.

Ayuthaya

When we arrived at Ayutthaya, one of the ancient capitals of Siam we explored the old city and three Wats. The city had been raided and conquered often including by Burma and Cambodia at different times and finally was abandoned when sacked in the 1590’s. Ruins are impressive in size and decimation.

Wat Panachoeng is known for its huge sitting Buddha, and a temple just outside of town called the country Wat which we visited after lunch was where we discovered our “birth weekday” buddha representations and some of our party had bought their fortunes and amulets to remember this amazing park.

Two hours' ride in the van later we arrived at our resort hotel. The dinner at a small restaurant down the road was adequate, but the walk back to the hotel and then around the grounds was restorative. A gathering on the premises featuring very loud music ended by 10 so we had a lovely quiet bedtime enhanced by a screened balcony allowing cool, fresh air into our room.

View Today's Slideshow