Ayuthaya

A very quick post to say that today we did a very touristy, packaged day trip to the old Thai capital at Ayuthaya. Coach there, tour-guide around the highlights, boat and buffet lunch on the way back. Not the way we normally travel, or like to, but it was a very smart choice as it turns out. I have been feeling vaguely unwell for a week - off food, very tired, generally a pain in the neck to be around - and today (a) I started the day feeling even worse, and (b) it was a billion degrees and 94% humidity. We had seriously considered going to Ayuthaya by train and renting bikes....

Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767, and one of its key features is miles and miles of ruined brick chedi (this is a place on the scale of Angkor) littered with headless Buddhas because the Burmese wanted a quick way to see if any of them was clay covering solid gold.

We were only at the ruins for a total of about 2 hours, when they deserve 2 days, but it was enough given the heat. And the river trip back was wonderful, including great views, a slight breeze, and a buffet lunch I actually felt like eating.

Lots of new pictures just posted.