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Published: February 26th 2006
Wat Ratburana
Chedi at Wat Ratburana.……………..and.Hello again…Tuesday 21st Feb - 2 1/2 hours after bidding farewell to the trekking group in Bangkok and we arrive in Ayuthaya (we have already learnt that the trains here leave on time but NEVER arrive on time!!!) Ayuthaya is the ancient capital encircled by the canal so we had to catch a small ferry ( 3 Baht) across the river from the station. This was probably the first time that we properly had to carry our bags (and they were very heavy!) Still, we cope alright - we don’t speak much though - just put our heads-down and march (Jamie in front with me following). We took a wrong turn and ended up trapsing through a small market with our huge bags on (front and back) - oh the joys of it - we got some funny looks!!! The smells wafting around were pretty awful as well. Luckily we didn’t have any trouble finding a room. We picked the best sounding one out of the trusty ‘ole Lonely Planet and decided to head there first and they had rooms - nice, small guesthouse in the backpacker ‘ghetto’. It was really clean and cheap too. It was so much more chilled
Ruins at Wat Ratburana
Some of the many impressive ruins. and laid back in Ayuthaya which was good. So, after having a much-needed shower (as we hadn’t washed since Chiang Mai and the train tends to cover you in a layer of orange dust!) we spent the day wandering around and just chilling out in the intense heat. We thought that it had been hot up north but - blimey - we’re feeling the difference now we’re a lot further down south.
Just so Jamie can keep up with his beloved team - he got up at 3am on our first night in Ayuthaya and sneaked into the guestroom entrance (where the tv was) and watched Benfica vs Liverpool - in the dark and on his own!!! Much to his disgust - they lost 1-0 so it wasn’t very successful! Still, he was happy as he got to watch it!
The next day we hired old fashioned groovy bicycles (about 1 pound for the whole day!) and rode round all of Ayuthaya. We saw loads of interesting ruins and temples. Some included Wat Ratburana which had a Buddha head embedded in twisted tree roots; Wat Na Phra Meru with a 6 metres high large seated buddha and a
Wat Phra Mahathat
Budha at Wat Phra Mahathat - Nice Robes!!! fantastic wooden carved roof; Wat Ratburana which had a large ‘Chedi’ you could go right down into (although we didn’t go very far down!). It was a great day also because there was a breeze on the bike so it kept us nice and cool. It was completely at our own pace as well - just stopping off when we wanted to see something (or to get some water). We weren’t bothered by and tuk tuk drivers either - pure heaven!!! Pure hell though when Bus loads of Japanese tourists turned up and started posing for photos in front of everything!!! Guaranteed whatever temple we were at - the coaches soon followed!!! {Jamie}. The Historical Park in the middle of Ayuthaya was beautiful and also good fun to go up and down the many bridges that go across the water in the park. Except, Karen got carried away and tried to race me and, not only did the chain come off her bike, but the whole wheel buckled!!! I may have got off the bike to walk up the hill but at least I didn’t wreck my bike!!! The people are so friendly though so we were soon surrounded by
Buddha Head
The Buddha head embedded in twisted tree roots. about 5 different people all trying to help fix the bike. A nice policeman managed to kick it back into place so off we went again (walking up the steep bridges this time though!!!) There was a strange sight on exiting the park - outside Aerobics for OAP’s - all the rage over here!!!
Handed the bikes back when it was dark and went for some tasty food. The street in which we stayed had some nice funky cafes/bars on so it was a good spot. The next day we get up early, pack and head back on the ferry to the train station to go back to Bangkok. At Ayuthaya station we get accosted by an eccentric German woman who wanted to share a taxi with us back to Banglumphu (our accommodation area in Bangkok). She was very crazy and insisted on sitting with us and our 2 big bags each on the cramped, sweaty train. She was on the large side too which didn’t help!!! She was hilarious - wouldn’t stand for any nonsense (although was being very rude to the Thai people because of this!) But, sharing a taxi was cheaper for us so we obliged
Jamie at Ayuthaya Historical Park
Sunset in the park - just after the 'fateful' incident of Karen's bike buckling!!! her ‘commands’ and made it to New Siam 2 Guesthouse about lunchtime. Marcus & Jethro (Jamie’s brothers) were to meet us here later that evening. Back into manic Bangkok, although, as we had time to spare, we found a good little café just off the Khao San which we spent the afternoon in - very good tea & the internet!!!
We were due to meet the twins at 9:30pm approx, but in true Longrigg fashion they arrive “fashionably late” at 11pm (we were eating in the guesthouse restaurant as we were fed up with waiting!!!) Jamie - us Longrigg’s are very fashionable though!!! Marcus and Jethro turn up looking extremely bronzed and put us and our measly ‘tans’ (if they can be called that yet) to shame!!! We’ll have time to catch up though! Went for some drinks and had a good night - it was really nice to see familiar faces.
Next day (Friday) Marcus & Jethro see different sights while we spent the morning trying to find where the embassy is for our Laos Visa - only to be told it was too late to go today as they were shut - have to go tomorrow).
Goodbye Ayuthaya
Wonderful sunset to end the day. In the afternoon we venture to Chinatown. We hated it - not much else to say except its manic, dirty, has pollution everywhere, and street stall people just pushing their carts at you if you happened to be in their way - very rude! We wanted to get out of there as quickly as we got there- although we got lost which didn't help! Finally we caught the river taxi back (although it didn’t stop at our stop and we had to go 2 extra stops and then get a tuk tuk back to the right area) - we’re starting to tire of Bangkok quite rapidly!!! Had a good evening though as we went for dinner with Marcus & Jethro then caught the bus to Patpong market & red-light district. It was quite an experience - seedy go-go bars everywhere and men thrusting cards in your face with a list of the ‘ping-pong’ shows that you can go to. Strange experience - maybe not one to be repeated! Headed back to Khao San area in a taxi and went for a drink in a ‘nicer’ bar!!!
Saturday - today the four of us were going to Chatuchak market (the
The Four of Us
Marcus, Jethro, Jamie & karen all looking a bit worse-for-wear - not a great picture but all there!!! market-of-all-markets!). Marcus went ahead of us as he had some serious shopping to do, while Jethro came with us 2 to the Laos Embassy first (as we went at a more reasonable hour after a late night). The information we were given was wrong and the embassy is shut on Saturdays. Now we have to stay in Bangkok longer (damn!). Go to the market after - it was a behemoth & we somehow managed to find the meeting point to meet Marcus (after seeing some bizarre animals for sale & a cock-fight - urrggh disgusting - we didn’t like that bit!) Its true that this market has absolutely everything and anything for sale and it was interesting to wander round. We spent hours there although, not sure how we managed it, as we were all suffering from ‘dodgy’ tummies from the food the night before!!! After shopping ourselves silly we head back to the guesthouse. Marcus & Jethro’s 3 week holiday was coming to an end (they had checked out of the guesthouse Saturday morning and were due to leave in the early hours of Sunday morning for the airport). They didn’t want to leave Thailand but we’ll be sad to see them go too as it was nice spending time with them - boohoo! As they have no room, all 4 of us cram into ours to shower etc. Go for dinner (our ‘last supper’ with them). Have some drinks afterwards and then head back to the guesthouse to get their bags and say goodbye....then there were 2….(again)…….
Today is Sunday and we have spent it trying (AGAIN) to sort out Laos - have decided to just stay 1 more night in Bangkok. We have booked ourselves on the overnight train to Chiang Mai Monday night to go on to Chiang Rai (and the border town Chiang Khong) from there. We will (hopefully) get our Laos visa Monday morning. So, spent another day in Bangkok - trying not to get scammed (to-ing and fro-ing from the train station etc to get tickets) - we need to leave tomorrow and we’re more than ready to do so………….Next time we will be in Laos (fingers crossed!!!)…………………….
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Chris Powley
non-member comment
Looks like you two are having such a great time - I'm very envious and would love to have an elephant ride! All is well at home except while you are hot and sweaty we have snow and sunshine! Take care and enjoy every minute!