Both factions of the Trang Cycling Club wanted to have me to dinner before I left. The Fahsang Group got to me first and féte’d me with a very fancy 8-course Thai meal served in private room in a white tablecloth restaurant with a four-foot lazy-susan to share the plates. Since I’d never been cultured at that level I took too much off the first plate that was served, not realizing there would be 7 more and custom dictates that the diners only take small portions many times from each individual dish. I soon got the picture and couldn’t understand them talking about my manners anyway.  Great food and good times.  They all enjoyed seeing photos of cycling and hiking in Durango and environs.  Always interesting to see these fellows in the light without their lycra, jerseys and helmets. One interesting fact came out at dinner was that one fellow’s daughter was working at the Grand Canyon right now in a foreign work/study program.  I invited them all to Durango, including the daughter.

Still full from the night before, the Trang Touring Cyclists booked a restaurant that featured our favorite Thai dish, Panang Curry, for a good-bye luncheon.  At this meal I got to meet some wives and daughters of the cyclists for the first time.  Also really good food and fun stories.  By the time I boarded the late afternoon train I was sure I’d gained 10 pounds.

I really like taking the train north to Bangkok as it’s a coach with a sleeper bunk, and you sleep most the way there.  Stanna was at the train station to meet me (and her cycling bags ) for our last two days still further north of the big city in a place we often wait for our departure flights, Ayutthaya.  I should mention that we took one short side trip from the railway station in Bangkok to get my iPhone screen repaired.  I’d researched where and how much on the Internet and found that I could get it done for $67 rather than the Apple Store price of $260.  One hour later the iPhone looked and worked as good as new.

Ayutthaya is famous because it was the capital of all Siam for over 400 years and many of the historic ruins are still

standing and show exquisitely at night.  One year when we visited they staged a pageant on one of the temple grounds in full historic dress, elephants and all.

We always enjoy walking around this ancient inland island city, especially at night.

The flight home was easy this time because we flew direct from Tokyo to Denver.  Five movies on one of those new Boeing 787 Dreamliners and we were home in Colorado. If we don’t come up with a better plan for next winter, we’ll be back in Thailand next year. Maybe you’ll meet us there!
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