James tries to blog...

Annie was nice enough to let me make a blog post…

We made it to Sukothai yesterday evening, and have settled in nicely at a little guest house with private bungalows and a pool.  It is amazing how much cooler it is just 6 hours north of Bangkok.  Walking the half-mile to see the Emerald Buddha and Royal Palace at 8 in the morning in Bangkok felt like the hottest, most humid afternoon I have ever experienced in the Midwest.  Here, however, we were able to spend the whole morning walking the old city without too much trouble (there is also more shade here, which helps).

We have decided to change plans a bit.  We were going to head back to Bangkok from here as the first step to crossing into Cambodia by land at Poi Pet.  But instead we are going to first continue north to Chiang Mai.  We hope to spend two night (almost three full days) there before taking an overnight (12 hour!) bus ride down to Bangkok (please send us sleep thoughts for that night).  We should get into the Bangkok bus station early the next morning, and immediately grab a 4 hour bus out to the border.  Once we fight our way through the scams and hawkers, we should be in a taxi on our way to Siam Reap (only 2 more hours!).  A rough day of traveling, but 3 days at Angkor is our reward at the end!  After that, another bus down to Phnom Penh for a day or two and then (hopefully!) a boat down the Mekong to Vietnam.  If we can’t get a boat, it is onto another bus for us, but we would much rather float if we can.

So far, everything has gone really smoothly.  There were some interesting moments trying to catch a minivan to Ayuthaya From the victory monument in Bangkok.  Negotiating transport when you can’t speak any of the native language presents some challenges.  Annie maneuvered us through to the right van at the right price and the journey went very smoothly.

The old cities in Ayuthaya and Sukothai are both incredible.  Ayuthaya is a bit more challenging the navigate, as the modern city has grown up right amidst the ruins.  Biking the sometimes-busy streets (and not getting lost) can seem more like a thrill ride than a leisurely day.  The boat trip around the island (in a traditional long boat powered by what looked like a rigged up car engine) more than made up for it.  Watching the sun set behind the temples on the banks of the river was one of the highlights so far.

Sukothai is much more relaxing.  The cooler weather made it pleasant (if still very warm!) to stroll the grounds of the historical park.  Both of us are eager to do more research on this history of these two old Thai capitals.  We hope you like the pictures!  They don’t do justice to what we are seeing, especially the size of some of the Buddhas, they really have to be seen to be believed.

Oh, and we have both started eating much too much roti.  Light dough quick fried in oil stuffed with banana (or other goodies) toped with sugar and condensed milk.  No better way to end a meal!  Just find the street vendor making roti to order! 

Tomorrow is another six hour bus ride north to Chiang Mai.  Our next update should be from Cambodia!

And for those of you keeping score at home.  Annie is well ahead in blisters and sunburns, while James has a slight lead in bug bites.  Luckily, all (except perhaps Annie’s blisters – which are finally healing) have been very minor!

Here are our first photos!

 Part of the temple where the Emerald Buddha is housed in Bangkok:

 A Chedi at Ayuthaya:

A Buddha carved amongst the tree roots at Ayuthaya:

 The old royal palace at Ayuthaya:

 And finally the giant reclining Buddha at Ayuthaya: