Ayutthaya

Diva and TSH were up at 6am to witness the sail up the river to Bangkok, passing under magnificent bridges and observing many splendid temples in villages surrounded by dense vegetation.

Diva thought that the excursion to Ayutthaya, a World Heritage site, was the best excursion she has been on for ages. Angkor Watt was excellent but this was even better. The tour started at the royal summer palace, which is still used by the Thai royal family. Its splendour matches that of some of the Russian czar’s palaces but it is still in use and immaculately maintained. Travel around the large grounds and water features was by golf buggy, to be self-driven. Fortunately, Diva remembered that the couple from Solihull play golf and they were prepared to take TSH and Diva as passengers.

There was also a visit to a working temple, where local people were praying and taking selfies. This was a truly magnificent place, with a giant Buddha and much red and gold painted wood. A monk threw water over TSH and Diva, presumably in blessing and hopefully clean.

Two old temple compounds were also huge, with many stone towers and structures.

Along the roadside, it was possible to see many traditional stilt houses, in various states of modernisation and repair. Also, there were many modern temples – large and small – covered in gold and shiny decoration. More exotic than anything Diva has ever seen anywhere else.

Diva was very embarrassed when she struck up a conversation with a young man in a white t-shirt and assumed he was a member of the shore concierge staff. He looked too young to be a passenger (but he was) and she missed the fact that there was no Silversea logo on the white top. He took it well. A minor panic at the quayside when TSH couldn’t find his ship entry card. He returned to the bus and found it on the seat. On return to the suite, the butler had arranged scented bubble bath, with candles and rose petals. He really is very good.

2017 is booked. HK in the spring followed by Japan (cherry blossom), the Bering Sea and Alaska.

White storks, large fish. turtles