Nicole and Ingrid are in Ayutthaya right now, at quite a distance from Bangkok. Their stories are always so exciting. This one's too !

When they arrived in Ayutthaya, they were welcomed by some..... cyclists. A real escort of young, sportive men, dressed in a cyclist outfit, helmet included, Nicole tells us. We were surprised by that. Together with these men we made a small tour through the village.
People looked so surprised when they saw us on our recumbent bikes.
That evening we all went to a bar, a gipsy bar. We can't remember us having so much fun !

BUSY TRAFFIC

By approaching the capital, the motorised traffic increased. For us, it is too busy. Cars, motorcycles, snorecycles. They are all over the place ! Being on our recumbent cycles we are weak road-users. Cyclists in Ayutthaya only come out at night when there is less traffic and when it is not that hot anymore.
By looking for a place to sleep, we (again) were misled. We saw a stately façade. It said in neon lights : 24/24. That must be a hotel that is open 24hours a day, we thought. When we went in a dozen people looked at us..... We had just entered a waiting-room of a hospital...

SEWING MACHINES

To protect us from the grim sunbeams, Ingrid bought some tissue to make arm- and leg protectors. Sewing machines are a part of the 'street image' in Thailand. Sewingmen and women sit on the streets, sewing and repairing clothing. They were very willing to help us out. You should have seen Ingrid, busy gesturing to explain what she wanted. But at least now we have our arm- and leg protectors. Very handy to get rid of the insects too. What a sight we looked, but it feels comfortable.

Our worst enemy are the snakes. It swarms here with thin, long, small, green snakes. We should never dream of doing such a thing like holding a sanitary stop in the bushes..... Nicole almost had one coming up her pants. She was back on the road in no time, with her pants still on her knees !!
Now, we keep everything up till we can go to the ladies'room.