I started off in the morning towards Hua Lumpong MRT which is connected to the Bangkok Railway Station aka Hua Lumpong Railway Station.
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| Exiting MRT Station |
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| Ticket counters |
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| Station Map |
I was early and sure that I would be able to grab a good seat. After getting tickets, I went off in search for breakfast and bought a microwavable Basil Chicken Rice from the convenience store before looking for the train.
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| Train platforms |
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| Ah, this platform |
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| My train! |
And so we moved on... Then stopped and suddenly started in the opposite direction back to the station... Then stopped and then the other direction before finally moving off. The long and short of it is that I was still facing the wrong direction. The lucky girl opposite me was a Japanese tourist. She was on her own, and since she didn't look keen to engage, I didnt try to. I just got started on my microwaved Basil Chicken Rice.
When I opened the lid, it was like... Wth this sad pathetic square piece of rice with a dollop of chicken bits?!
But when the first spoonful of rice and chicken bits went into my mouth, it was like... OMG, what's this uber fragrant rice with tender bits of basil chicken?! Totally unlike what it looked like! My judgement could have been impaired due to my hunger but it was definitely the highlight of the train ride to Ayutthaya. Haha.
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| The cool train conductor |
The people sitting beside me were taking turns to sit down and making me feel stressed about taking up one entire seat on my own. Yea I know I shouldn't have to feel stressed about it, but I still did. Knowing that they were looking forward to me and the Japanese girl opposite getting off at Ayutthaya didn't help either.
In any case, we finally rolled into Ayutthaya station and I jumped up! Helllooo Ayutthaya!!! I was here to visit the Historic City of Ayutthaya which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Read more about it here.
I had wanted to rent a bicycle to cycle around the Historical Park but had to take a short ferry ride first, a hop actually, to get to it as it was on an island of sorts.
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| Affordable rental prices |
Thankfully the lady was very nice and provided me with directions. I didn't hang around her shop for long because a bunch of mozzies were attacking me.
Towards the pier/ferry pick up point...
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| The ferry pick up point |
Onto the ferry/boat...
Reaching the opposite..
There were a few bicycle shops lining the road leading out from the ferry/boat landing and I chose one with young looking staff to rent a bicycle. I didn't have any ID so I paid a deposit and the bicycle arrived. I had associated young staff with young bicycles. But i was wrong, the bicycle was an antique...o well...
The staff provided me with a map and highlighted the recommended bicycle route. We were at the starred circle on the right and so I had to cycle for about 15min along the roads before reaching the Historical Park. The roads were pretty empty but it was still kind of... stressful in an exciting way, especially at the junctions.
I reached my first destination after some navigation: Wat Maha That.
I had to find a place to chain up the bicycle and was told to go over to an empty area behind the carpark. I chose a spot that happened to be muddy and mozzie infested. I also realised that the bicycle chain provided was coated in some oil/dirt/water. When I finally got the bicycle chained up, I wanted to just leave it there forever.
There was a man selling ice cream, and I rewarded myself with one.
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| Can't rem the flavour but it wasn't that fantastic |
So foreigners have to pay a 50baht entrance fee for each of the various temples and locations. I was thinking, the entrance fees added up to much more than my half day bicycle rental.
In any case.. Here's my first entrance ticket!
Onward to Wat Maha That!!
The famous Buddha head!
I was really quite captured by this..
This city must have been quite splendid..
Onward to the next temple: Wat Rajaburana.
It was a pretty small temple, you could climb up some stairs into a small dark chamber. I did not take pictures of the chamber cos I thought it was like abit spooky. Hehe.
Onward to my next destination: Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
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| Byebye Wat Rajaburana |
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| Stopped to check location |
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| Was nice cycling past this |
Abit more cycling along a pretty empty road brought me to Wat Phra Si Sanphet. This one was within the Royal Palace compound and it was more populated so there were quite a few people other than me. You can read about it here.
There were school kids scrambling up and down the steps, and families taking photos. The boys in blue are the school kids on excursion.
I got a nice lady to help me with a photo. She took it very seriously and I got like 4-5 shots at different angles haha, thanks alot Helpful Lady!
The structures were really cool.. I kept imagining how things were like in the past and just couldn't help thinking of 'The King and I' since it's my only reference to Thai History.. Sorry for being shallow lol..
You know when I got home, I realised that this temple was the backdrop for Bon Jovi's MTV for 'This Ain't A Love Song'! I suddenly had a nostalgic fan girl moment and started watching old concerts and videos and was like ' Hey! Ayutthaya! ' when going through the MTV. Check this out!
Richie Sambora at that spot with the three stupas!
You know, Jon Bon Jovi was darn hot and I super loved him! I even dreamt of him once when I was in my teens *Scrreeamm!
Anyway, back to the Ayutthaya trip.. I had my fill of stone structures, temples and decided to return to Bangkok! So onto the bicycle and back to the bicycle shop
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| Along the roads |
I cycled all the way back to the bicycle shop except at a busy junction where I got off and pushed the bicycle cos I was scared LOL. Felt pretty accomplished having braved the pretty empty roads on my own. Hahaha, Pat on the back!
Got on the ferry back to the other side and walked towards the train station.
I asked for a 1st class seat because I wanted a nice comfy ride back, and was told the train only has 2nd class carriage. 2nd class was airconditioned, and cost 245baht. I was thinking... I should have just second classed to Ayutthaya instead of sweating on the train. Haha o well, I learnt!
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| My train ticket |
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| Trying to get myself within the fan's reach |
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| Platform |
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| Train station doggy |
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| Coming coming! |
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| Cushioned seats and AIRCON *Happy! |
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| Full of leg space |
You know, you really appreciate the things in life when you have to do without them. If I hadn't taken the 3rd class to Ayutthaya, I wouldn't have been so happy and appreciative taking the 2nd class on the way back to Bangkok. Hahahahaha.
So onwards towards Bangkok for dinner!! I was going to check out Thip Samai Pad Thai and Yaowarat Road, to be continued...
