We spent Saturday morning at Chaling Cham Market with our Polish friends Dominik and Bety before catching a train to Ayutthaya in the afternoon at Bang Sue station (a 20min ride from Thewet, Bh60 with a taxi-meter). We thought it will be quicker to get to Bang Sue Station located North of Bangkok than going to Hua Lamphong, the main train station located in the centre of Bangkok. In Bang Sue we caught the first train going to Ayutthaya, it was a third class train and we paid only Bh14 each (i.e. £0.20 or 0.30€!). It was very similar to the train we caught from Chumphon to get to Bangkok, the seats were very hard and there were only fans, no air conditioning. However as we travelled by day it was very hot in the wagon, but as the trip lasted 1h15min it was not too bad. In the train we met very nice Thai people that did ask us a lot of questions about our travels. In Ayutthaya we caught the ferry (Bh3) opposite the train station to cross the river and get to the old town. We checked in one of the numerous guesthouses in the "travellers street" where are also lots of pubs and coffee places. To visit the temples the next day we opted to rent a motorbike as we thought some temples were too far to be reached with a bicycle (the normal rate is Bh250 per 24h for an automatic but we got a discount and paid Bh220). We were glad we did so as to get to the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and the Wat Phanan Choeng which are outside the old town, the road is an express way and that would not be very safe with a bicycle. There is quite a lot of traffic in town and the streets are very wide so we were glad to had already gained some experience riding a motorbike on the islands. We had a very good day visiting some of the numerous temples of Ayutthaya which used to be one of the capital of Thailand.
Below are the temples (temple=wat in Thai) we have visited:
-Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (Bh30 entrance fee)
As for most of the temples in Ayutthaya, only ruins remain except 3 big chedis that are very impressive. There was quite a lot of tourists at this temple, but still less than at the Grand Palace in Bangkok!
-Wat Phra Mongkon Bopith (no entrance fee)
Just next to the previous temple, this one is a modern temple where there is a big Buddha that attracts a lots of worshipers.
-Wat Mahathat (Bh30 entrance fee)
There was just a few tourists visiting the ruins of this temple. However there is a very special thing to see, a head of Buddha stuck in the roots of an old tree.
-Wat Ratchaburana (Bh30 entrance fee)
This temple is located opposite the previous one. It was pleasant to visit as it was very quiet. The main attraction of the site is a very nice prang (a tower with a square base of Khmer style).
-Wat Na Phramen (Bh20 entrance fee)
Located outside of the old town, this temple is not that impressive and is quite recent. However it was interesting to observe the worshipers that came to pray and offer food and various objects to the monks.
-Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (Bh20 entrance fee)
This temple is 2km from the old town and is accessible by a very busy road. It was supposed to be the most impressive temple of Ayutthaya but we did not like it that much. There was too many tourists and the site did not have this special atmosphere that we found in the previous temples. It was still nice to see all the numerous statues of Buddha dressed with orange and yellow fabrics. There was also a big reclining Buddha.
-Wat Phanan Choeng (Bh30 entrance fee)
Close to the previous temple, it is a recent temple but inside there is a very old and big Buddha, 19 metres high. There was a lot of worshipers and that was interesting to observe this busy place. However we did not get to see very well the Buddha as it was surrounded by scaffolding to be renovated.
-Wat Chai Watthanaram (Bh30 entrance fee)
The guide book advised to visit this temple at the sunset and it was a very good advice. The temple is very nice and is quite well preserved. The light at sunset created a very special atmosphere and we really enjoyed the visit.
After a busy day visiting all those temples and having a lot of fun driving our scooter, we had a relaxing evening in one of the pub of our street. We watched an English Premiership game on a big screen ....where little geckos liked to wander!
Below are the temples (temple=wat in Thai) we have visited:
-Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (Bh30 entrance fee)
As for most of the temples in Ayutthaya, only ruins remain except 3 big chedis that are very impressive. There was quite a lot of tourists at this temple, but still less than at the Grand Palace in Bangkok!
-Wat Phra Mongkon Bopith (no entrance fee)
Just next to the previous temple, this one is a modern temple where there is a big Buddha that attracts a lots of worshipers.
-Wat Mahathat (Bh30 entrance fee)
There was just a few tourists visiting the ruins of this temple. However there is a very special thing to see, a head of Buddha stuck in the roots of an old tree.
-Wat Ratchaburana (Bh30 entrance fee)
This temple is located opposite the previous one. It was pleasant to visit as it was very quiet. The main attraction of the site is a very nice prang (a tower with a square base of Khmer style).
-Wat Na Phramen (Bh20 entrance fee)
Located outside of the old town, this temple is not that impressive and is quite recent. However it was interesting to observe the worshipers that came to pray and offer food and various objects to the monks.
-Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (Bh20 entrance fee)
This temple is 2km from the old town and is accessible by a very busy road. It was supposed to be the most impressive temple of Ayutthaya but we did not like it that much. There was too many tourists and the site did not have this special atmosphere that we found in the previous temples. It was still nice to see all the numerous statues of Buddha dressed with orange and yellow fabrics. There was also a big reclining Buddha.
-Wat Phanan Choeng (Bh30 entrance fee)
Close to the previous temple, it is a recent temple but inside there is a very old and big Buddha, 19 metres high. There was a lot of worshipers and that was interesting to observe this busy place. However we did not get to see very well the Buddha as it was surrounded by scaffolding to be renovated.
-Wat Chai Watthanaram (Bh30 entrance fee)
The guide book advised to visit this temple at the sunset and it was a very good advice. The temple is very nice and is quite well preserved. The light at sunset created a very special atmosphere and we really enjoyed the visit.
After a busy day visiting all those temples and having a lot of fun driving our scooter, we had a relaxing evening in one of the pub of our street. We watched an English Premiership game on a big screen ....where little geckos liked to wander!
