Wat ho!

Strange night sleep for me at Baan Are Gong, dogs barking inside and outside the hotel, walls like paper, boats guzzling up and down the river plus of course my hubby serenading me with his throat warbling (that many of you are familiar with!). Amazing how much activity there is, like trying to sleep at an airport but with the added advantage of animal activity.  The guesthouse owns a number of dogs who appear to have adopted the river-way as an extension of their territory and guard it ferociously day and night.  They also seem to hook up with the local canine 'bad boys' and party the night away.  You know how it starts...eyes meet across the road, bad boy no. 1 moves in with the day old piece of duck skin, bad boy 2 trumps the offering with a mouldy old chicken bone, bad boy 1 and 2 scrap whilst bad boy 3 moves in, takes the prize, and starts the Luvaluva routine! So waking semi-refreshed we pull back the curtains to once again reveal the delights of 'the room with a view':

We've gone down market on our accommodation and I have to say what lovely Thai hosts we've had, rooms clean and still the luxury of our own shower.  We seem to have staved off the river-way mossies for now, only a couple of itchy lumps to bother us.  Time to head out of Baan Are Gong to see all that Ayuttuya has to offer! (we stayed in the non-fire ridden building to the back)

Ayuttuya is really stunning, an island snuggled within a circular river-way and pretty much a Wat (temple) at every corner.  The new temples are ornate, huge and very gold whilst the old are somewhat understated by comparison but architecturally breathtaking. Some of the older wats are being rescued from the undergrowth whilst remnants of others just sit quietly at the side of a road. The contrast between living and deity hits you like the smell of burning rubber.  Little drab shacks made of every material possible line the streets, a patchwork of wood, corrugated iron, plastic sheeting and blankets. Rising up in their midst the huge white pagoda style temples outlined with golden dragon sculptures and slashes of colourful brilliance.  Massive Buddhas tower above you with their armies of protectors glaring from plinths.  Whilst the religious symbols are eye watering the belief and dedication is just as obvious, displayed in food offerings, flower garlands and a continuous sense or under current.

Making our way around the city we walked through a massive market selling the usual goods, food, clothes, more food, furniture and of course a gold pick up!

Loved this sign, left us feeling all warm and fuzzy :)

Iced coffee time, do you want powdered cream, carnation milk or sweetening syrup with that!? Was the answer all please, but not to be too greedy forget about the carnation milk (Winnie the Pooh lovers will get this reference)

After a couple of Thai Green curries and Singha we're all set for the sleeper train to Chiangmai.  Night all!