BaoBao看世界: March 2010

Day 8 : Ayuthaya

This is our last destination and the most awaiting destination of our Thailand trip. We woke up early to catch the train to Ayutthaya. We get a Tuk-Tuk for 70Baht to reach Hualampong train station.

Reach the station before 8am. When the clock strike 8, suddenly the main hall was cleared and a group of police? / security of the station? line up and sang their national song?...not so sure.

We bought the train ticket for the 8.20am train. We choose the cheapest class, 3rd class without air-conditioning.

Our train arrived. The old old train. This was my husband first ride on the train.

Cool!!! We enjoyed ourselves.

Nice scenery and views all the way. The journey took about 1.5 hrs.

We reach the Ayutthaya station around 9.30am. Ayutthaya... here we come!!!

In front of the station, we saw a lot of tuk-tuk drivers chasing the tourist. They offered a day trip in 600Baht for 5 Wats/destinations. Anyway, we plan to go around with bicycle.

Thru the survey from internet, most of the blogs advised to cross the river first before rent a bicyle so that you no need to bring your bicycle along on the boat. The Jetty is in walking distance opposite the Railway station. Fee only 4Baht per person.

As I said before...no rush renting the bicycle or end up holding the bicycle on the boat.

Nice boat!!! A boat for living like a house.

Monks can be spotted everywhere. Below is one of my fav pic that I took during this trip.

The tuk tuk in here is differnt from Bangkok. Similiar to Pattaya but in smaller size.

Spotted this rock style truck when we came out from 7eleven for breakfast.

We walked around to look for the place to rent bicycle. Half-way, spotted the market and there are so much to see.

Pig head for sale. Do you think pig head can sell like this in Malaysia?

Suddenly my hubby asked "Do you think it is a good idea to rent bicycle for our Ayutthaya Tour? Why not a bike?" Good suggestion, since Ayutthaya not small plus the hot weather.

A last we rented a bike 986. The rental only 200Baht per day!!!

Our first Wat is Wat Ratchaburana. It is a cremation site for a king and his 2 sons where both the sons fought and died as each desired the throne after the king death.

Admission Fee: 50Baht per person.

The place is quiet.

The 2nd Wat we visited was Wat Mahathat. It was once a royal monastery.

Admission fee = 50 Baht per person.

This Lord of Buddha's head is the main attraction for me to visit Ayutthaya. I did informed my hubby that we must reach this place and took some photos or else we will not leave Ayutthaya.

There is no clear historical evidence of this Lord Buddha's head. It is assumed that when Ayutthaya was defeated by Burmese army in B.E. 2310, the Mahathat temple was set to fire and entirely destroyed ans as its results most of the images and parts fell to the ground. The temple was deserted for more than a hundred years and many trees had grown at the spot covering the head.

The miracle is the head position. Why not it is in up side down?

Next, we ride the bike further. And came to Pom Phet or Phet Fortress. Is is beside the Chaophraya river.

We just had our lunch at the near-by restaurant there. This sweet and sour fish was delicious.

After fill in our stomach and recovered back our energy, the journey continue...

Third Wat, Wat Phra Ram.

The special of this Wat is the large swamp, which seems to have been in existance before the fonding of the city. Now this whole swamp is planted with lotus and appears very beautiful durin flowering season.

Forth wat, was the Wat Thammikarat. Instead of the 'usual' elephants", the chedi is surrounded by lion images. The heads of the lion images are clearly in Khmer style.

The large Bodhi tree.

The fifth destination, Phra Mongkhon Bophit. the house of the largest bronze Buddha image in Thailand.

This Buddha image gave an impression of calmness and peacefulness to my hubby.

We decided not to visit anymore wat or temple. Time a bit late, we need to rush for the 5pm train. Before we left, we tour around the Royal Palace and Elephant camp with the bike.

The 5pm train came and it was the time back to Bangkok.

We reached Bangkok almost 8pm. Took 3 hours!!! It was our mistake, we forgot to informed the ticket seller to give us the express train.

After reach the Hualampong Station, we took Tuk-Tuk to MBK again. Then we dined in The Fifth. Eat what you want by swaping the special card. Then later pay at the counter before you left.