Historic Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Thailand from from 1351 to 1767. Known as the Golden Age of Siam, it was the period when Thailand was at its richest and most powerful. It fell from the Burmese invasion in 1767 but remnants of its past glory are found in the architectural ruins all over the city. The Historic Park has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. Today it is a popular day trip destination of visitors coming to Bangkok. It is easily reachable by renting a taxi, taking train, or bus.

We were deciding between this and Damnoen Sanduak. While it must be delightful to take photos of the colorful and busy floating market, culture/architecture is always my priority coming to a new place. Luckily Ayutthaya has elephant park that I used to lure my sisters to agree. We hired a taxi to take us to Ayutthaya, around, and back. The price was 1000 baht + 300 baht for toll fees. I think it's a fair price enough.

Elephant is the national symbol of Thailand. It played a special role in Thai history and religion. Modern day elephants though, have little use and is facing a significant decline in number. I saw a few fund raising drives organized by different groups for its conservation.

Our first stop is the Elephant Ride Park in Thanon Pathon. We were giddy with excitement seeing so many elephants up close and the chance to ride them! The ride costs from 200 baht (10 min) on a short loop around the ruin of Wat Ket. It's quite bumpy and not very comfortable, so 10minutes is just fine for the experience and photo op, he he.

The park (forgot to get its name)also has shows by 2 baby elephants. You can take a photo with them for 40 baht and they can do all sorts of tricks. Very cute!

After lunch, we started visiting the sites. There are over 50 sites to visit, but we only have time for 3 key temples and monasteries. It would be so interesting to stay a couple of days and explore the other temples and ruins. really special walking inside these walls. It's just so amazing to be standing on the same ground, very spot, and touch the walls those people been to 7 to 8 centuries ago. I felt like being transported back in time.

Wat Mahathat

Wat Yai Chaimongkhol

Wat Chai Watthana Ram

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

Wats in Bangkok?

I love those free city maps you get at the tourist info center at the airport. It's one of the first things I look for coming to a new city, that and ATM machines. Bangkok has like a billion different kinds, we chose the one that's called "The Official Map Bangkok". How can you go wrong with that?

Taxis are one of the most abundant things you can find in Bangkok. They're painted bright candy colors that brighten up the streets. Taxis are relatively cheap and most drivers speak good English. They are also mostly honest, actually we've only encountered 1 driver who tried to negotiate fix rate. Flag down is 35B for 2km then 5B/km. Just say no and move to the next one. Buses and MRT are also available but because we were 4 people traveling, taxis were good option for us. Tuktuk are nice and exotic but be very careful as they are probably the worse tourist trap in the city. Opening price is always way, way too high. If they call 100B, you can for sure get it at 30B. In the new found it funny how ridiculous they were but later it is a little bit irritating. If not for Pincky and Girlie whose legs weren't meant for walking unless done inside a mall, we wouldn't be taking them at all.

With the help of the map, we were able to strategically schedule our day. We headed west to visit the old city along the Chao Phraya River. We took hotel taxi who charged us 200B. Too freaking expensive but it's ok, you live, you learn. The rest of the trip, we will be dealing only with city taxis.

Wat Phra Kaew-Emerald Buddha

Our first stop is to the Grand Palace where it housed th
e most important temple in Bangkok, the Wat Phra Kaew. It's crazy but we almost didn't get to see it even if we were already outside it (Nam Phra Lan Rd). There were billion of scammers outside this temple persuading us to take their boat cruise and went to the extent of telling us that the temple is already close for the day!! It makes me so mad that they would do this to tourists, who probably only have a couple of days in Bangkok and would really want to see it. We believed them and about to take their boat if only we had agreed on the price. They wanted to charge us 900B per boat but we wanted 800B. How fortunate for that! We decided that we would just see Wat Po if the Palace is closed, and turning to Sanamchai Road, we discovered that the temple is actually open and admitting visitors at this side entrance!! WTF?!@#$%

Going into the temple is free but proper attire should be observed. Bare shoulders (except if you're a monk in yellow robe) and legs (no shorts or capris) are not allowed entry. Enterprising Thais outside would rent out colorful sarongs for 50B + 50B deposit. We knew this before coming but with 38 C in the city, we couldn't stand wearing jeans (except for Pincky) the whole day. I also read about the rental that's why we came in capris.

like i said....

hot pants...

Bejeweled!! This is the adjective that comes to mind going into the compound. It contains many highly decorative pagodas, buildings, and statues. The trimmings in these structures are more intricate and complicated than a queen's gown. The exaggerated design and details are beyond words. So please just take a look at the photos.

It was noon time and the blazing sun was melting my 2 sisters so after a few, we decided to go and find something to eat. We were clueless where to. There were a billion of tuktuk outside offering rides. We asked them where is the nearest food place. One said for 20B they'll take us to Pratunam. Pratunam?! According to him, there is NOWHERE to eat around the area. Right, all these tourist spots and no restaurant nearby. Exasperated, we walked.

2.5 minutes later, just across the City Pillar Shrine is a long row of hawker stalls. And it smelled so good! We decided to eat there after 2 sec deliberation. We found a table behind the noodle stall. Tourists would come and buy food to go but you only see locals seated. Of course we look local enough except we speak no Thai and they understand no English. But with a lot of pointing and actions, and their warm friendly nature, we had one of our nicest meal in Bangkok, and it costs us 170B. Noodles and cokes and ice coffees.

Wat Po-Reclining Buddha

This is another important temple in Bangkok. It's the biggest, oldest, and has the most number of Buddha images (over 1000). Its most popular being the 42m reclining Buddha covered with gold plate and trimmed with mother of pearl (eyes and feet). The pagodas and structures are also highly decorated mostly with colorful ceramic. The design and details are also very intricate you'd think that perhaps the monks lay tiles during prayers instead of counting beads. It's so huge that I almost got lost inside.

There's another important temple in Bangkok (Wat Arun) but it's already 5pm and for sure the temple is closed. It is also across the river and my sisters were already complaining that they're all same, same. I disagree of course, but I will have to come back next time. Anyway, we have a Thai Boxing match to catch at 20:00.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS