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What a beautiful day we have had! Our morning started at 10:30 after a full 8 hours of sleep! Thank goodness! We took our time getting around and trying to re-organize our bags so that we could find what we needed throughout the rest of our trip. Lunch was room service so that we could keep packing and getting ready. Aaron ordered chicken curry and I got a chicken sandwich with fries… par for the course. We headed down to the lobby to check out and stop by the concierge desk to see if we could get a car to take us to our next hotel. We were anticipating a taxi, but were pleasantly surprised when our own (really beautiful) private car showed up. It was so great to sit in the back seat and take in the sights of Bangkok. The roads were massive and really well cared for and I was surprised to see how many billboards and signs were in English.
After about an hour on the road, we were in Ayutthaya. We started noticing huge pictures of the king and queen everywhere and for the first time on our trip, it very much felt like we were far from home – not in a bad way but more of a “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore” kind of way. A few minutes later, we were settling in to our newest hotel – Iudia on the River. Oh. My. Goodness. If you are ever going to come to Thailand, you need to stay here! Everything is so beautiful and perfect and there isn’t even a word for it… like a guteral groan in the best possible way. I was a little giddy as the manager showed us around – the main area, pool, walkways, our own private balcony, our room, bathroom… all wonderful. The young guy carrying our bags wasn’t feeling as wonderful at the time. I kept apologizing and offered to take it myself, but he would have none of it. He just kept smiling and kind of grunting the whole way up the steps. 🙂 The most amazing thing about it (which is saying a lot) is the beautiful ruined temple that sits directly across the river and can be seen from our balcony and bedroom.
Right now, I am sitting on a couch out on our private balcony. Night has come and with it, the sounds of bugs in the trees and the river lapping the shore. It sounds like a man is on a loud speaker singing a prayer while some local dogs echo back their response. There is a light above on a wall that is surrounded by lots of little lizards waiting for their next meal. I hear another man close by singing a prayer of his own. Boats and barges make their way up and down the river, some bringing the not so wonderful sounds of karaoke with them. It has been a beautiful day of no plans, but lots of wonderful surprises. We’ve photographed the hotel to death, so we’ll have lots to show you when we get home. Our afternoon was spent in a gorgeous swimming pool and then we ordered room service again, so that we could eat together outside by ourselves. I had some kind of noodle dish that was really good – Aaron got soup that he wasn’t as crazy about. It’s only 7:09, but I am already starting to get sleepy. Hopefully after wrapping this up, we’ll have a few minutes to get photos backed up and then will head to bed early. Aaron is out to get some night time photos and then I think we will probably call it a day.
Thank you for your continued prayers! Praise God for yesterday, arriving safely with all of our luggage, and today, for a day of complete rest and relaxation as we’ve settled into what will be home for the next few days.
Overwhelming thankfulness, excitement, peace, joy, and a little bit sleepy… the emotions of the moment.
In spite of the 15kilo camera bag that was a bear at the airport to carry on, I am LOVING the fact that I am married to a brilliant photographer. Can’t wait to share all of the incredible photos that he is getting!
