Ayutthaya - Lopburi – 63 km
The weather was moderately overcast at about 30-34 degrees
Celsius, making our second day of riding another perfect day.
Thailand is littered with fascinating sights and first up was an
elephant kraal. The elephants and mahouts were preparing for a day
of tourist rides, and the elephants were dressed in their Sunday best.
As we cycled past, I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration and
respect for these majestic creatures. It was a reminder of the beauty
and diversity of the natural world, a stark contrast to the bustling city
we had left behind.
Next up was a bizarre, if not kitsch, temple sporting a humongous
dragon or dragon tail surrounding the entire property. A multitude of
small paths led to Lopburi, making it an enjoyable day out on the
bike. En route, a kind lady flagged us down and handed us a bag of
bananas, a gesture of hospitality that warmed our hearts and kept us
going through the day. In the countryside, it's virtually impossible to
pass villages unnoticed and slacked-jawed locals and nervous-looking
kids and dogs observed us from a distance, a reminder of the
curiosity and friendliness of the locals.
Our way led past gigantic Buddha statues, incredibly ornate temples,
bamboo forests, and, of course, the ever-present carts selling exotic
nibbles.
Once in Lopburi, the popular Noom Guest House lured us in and once
settled in, we explored the town's many attractions. Lopburi is an
ancient town with abundant old ruins that are all within comfortable
walking distance. However, today, the old city is occupied by ordinary
Thai life and a gang of monkeys. A visit to the Monkey Temple left me
in awe of how similar monkey family life is to ours, and I could spend
hours observing them.