On the way to Khao Yai

We visited our last temple for the program this morning.  This was Wat Panan Choeng, a Chinese Buddhist temple in Ayuttayah.  From here it was on to Khao Yai National Park.

We're waiting at 8:00 for the boat captain to show up.  We need to take a ferry to go across the river to get to the temple on the other side.

He finally showed up, charged us 10 baht/person to go across.

Tiki is the official dog of the ferry.  He fell in the water, so we waited for him to swim back to the boat.  He's good boy.

Wat Phanan Choeng was built in 1324.  The temple contains a 19 meter high Buddha statue which is regarded as a guardian for mariners.  Legend has it that the Thai king requested the emperor of China's daughter for his wife. When she arrived, the king wasn't there, so she held her breath and killed herself; thus, the king built this temple at her cremation site.

A series of bells is outside the temple.  You ring each bell once so that your prayers are heard.

I'm giving out roti sai mai, a cotton candy like confection.  The students weren't too impressed with it.

We drove on to a produce market near Pak Chong on the way to Khao Yai.  Here we bought some fruit to have during the next few days .

Finally arrived in Khao Yai.  We'll be here for three days and there is no wifi.  So you shouldn't expect to hear from your kids during this time.  It's better if you don't hear from them anyway so they can try to become more immersed in Thai culture while they can.  They can tell you all about it when they get home.