Ayutthaya

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11th & 12th October

Ayutthaya is old capital city of Thailand, but found it quite dull to be honest, so probably be a short entry! Had to get up early in Bangkok to get there...catching train. Calling it a train is v.far fetched. Looked like the inside of a baked beans can and moved/smelled/felt like one too! Only cost 20bht (although already paid for) and were in 3rd class...didn't even know 3rd class existed! Not everyone got a seat and was a 1hr 30 journey. Me and Deb were lucky (use that word loosely) because we did get a seat.

When arrived in Ayutthaya, hotel man waiting for us - really nice man and really liked this hotel. Called Eve hotel and resembled a boudior (well, what I imagine a boudoir looks like) with lots of silk everywhere. Hired some bikes and went straight out. Was a market to wonder round and ended up in a big park. V.good for parks here. Not.v good that big elephant show next store...all doing tricks and looked in poor health! Rubbish!

Anyway, park experience was funny because we so stupid. Sat down on nice piece of grass, but noticed loads of big ants so had to move. Sat on different piece of grass - more ants, so moved again. Then a different piece of grass...and I think you get the picture. Tried 5/6 times, then gave up as a bad job. Must have looked so stupid pushing bikes around to random spots, sitting, then moving after 60 seconds. Other people were doing it just fine...bet they were thinking 'crazy british girls'.

Had some lunch then. Followed guidelines given to us by nice man in airport. Food place must be:
1) Busy
2) No glass front on
3) Cheap
4) Can see food being cooked

Follow above and should come out healthy. Worked for us.
Didn't do much else that day. Went out for T and tried a tuna salad, but turned out to be 99% salad cream (like gravy on a Sunday dinner), so that didn't go so well!

12th October:

Good day today. At breakfast chatted to other people that were doing trek with - from Holland, v.nice. Also tried new fruit called Dragon Fruit - bright purple and expected to be really tangy, but not even as much of a taste as watermelon.

Spent day with Iris too (from Canada). Kept imitaing each others accent and comparing words. Got a slush puppy, which she called a slurpie (she also thought it was really small to - but was large to us).

Took a boat trip all around river surrounding Ayutthya. Got to see loads of local people fishing, bathing and kids playing in river. River v.brown though...and pretty sure thats where all toilet stuff goes. Put it this way...kept my hands firmly in the boat again!

After T headed for night train to Chaing Mai. Taken by lady from hotel who was definately a learner driver! Never ever changed out of second gear (despite fact on busy road) and pulled out into some very non-existent spots. Nothing against learner drivers...as long as Im not in car with them...or behind them...or just generally near them I suppose!

Night train was excellent - thouroughly recommend to anyone! Felt like I was a baby again being rocked to sleep. Worth it for novelty alone! 13 hour journey to Chaing Mai on train...for cheapskates like us who can't afford flight, overnight train definately way to go!

Mosquito bites so far: 11 and counting
Steps: 29, 146
Miles: 12.6
Calories: 765 - excellent! Defo worth a dessert in next place we go 😊

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Photos

Boudoir at Eve
Not sure how that word is spelt, but it's good enough for me.

Temple
The grass in front is the famous grass we tried to sit on - surely no-one wants ants in their pants?!

Poor elephants
Just walking up and down side of road all day - then into tent to perform show :(

Fishing in the river
I hope the fish I was eating didn't come from this river...but deep down I already know they do :(

Temple Buddhas
The good old shot down the line...works every time.

The boat trip
Me, Deb and Iris

Sunset over the river
Can almost forget that floating on poo and wee (writing those words makes me feel like Im in year 2 again)

Beds on the train
Brilliant - completely loved it. Disappointed that we don't do anything like this in England, but when worked it out, longest journey is probably about 7 hours - rubbish small country!