AYUTTHAYA
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2008
1
74
319
Trip End
Sep 02, 2009
Ayutthaya,
Thailand
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
We were up about 7, I didn't hear the chanting this morning, but Len said it was there. We went to the corner street vendor for our usual Thai breakfast and fresh juice. I wonder what we will do tomorrow as we will be in Ayutthaya. We checked out and asked the receptionist about our plan of travel to the bus station. She said no and told us to take a taxi there and it should be no more than 150 bhats. We went to the street and tried to get a metered taxi, but all want to just negotiate a price and it is 300 bhats, then down to 200 bhats, I insisted 150 and so did Len and we kept walking. Finally one of them agreed to the 150.
It was quite the ride and way to the north end of the city. I had written the name of the town out and showed the first chap when we went into the terminal - it has 3 floors and is laid out like an airport terminal. He took us to the elevator and we had to go to floor 1. Showed the name again and we were shown which counter to go to buy the ticket. Quite easy so far, and then they pointed where we should go to get the bus. We were early and it would leave in about 45 minutes. We put our bags underneath and got on the bus. There was a comedy disk on and we watched it and even laughed at some of the antics. We left right on time at 9:45. There were 3 passengers and 3 workers. The conductor closed the door and secured it firmly with a bungee cord wrapped around a pole and hooked over the bar on the door, with both hooks. I laughed.
We stopped several times to pick up passengers. The conductor would yell something at the people waiting and his buddy would go out and bring the passengers to the bus. Soon we were out in the country. Most people live in apartments here. Passed a lot of car dealerships, Office Depot, a bowling alley, Cineplex's and many other stores we didn't know what they were. Not much undeveloped area as Bangkok has over 8 million people and Ayutthaya, the old capital city seem to just about meet each other now.
The conductor told us when to get off. Didn't know where we were, but there were tuk-tuks to meet us and an older man who spoke English came to or aid, of course he wanted to show us a guest house and be our tour guide. He did show us a guest house and it was nice and clean, really big room so he probably got a reward for bringing us here.
The tuk-tuks here are different from Cambodia and the ones in Bangkok. This time we did get some pictures. Some have fancy paint jobs, surround sound systems, even though they are in a small area, sharp looking little get around. Could take 4 in the back and 2 up front.
Once settled in and getting a map we went to find some lunch. We passed the open market and watched a man cooking some noodles, eggs, chives, and sauce in a wok. Looked and smelt good so we got one to share and found a place to eat. It was very good. We did linger in the market looking at the goodies for sale and then walked about 2 kms to the temple ruins here. They were interesting, but after Angkor Wat
We weren't too impressed, except for one area where there is a Buddha head cradled in the roots of a tree. This is what we came to see and it is impressive.
Darn it I left our Thailand Lonely Planet Book somewhere. I am sure it was at the booth where we bought the tickets to get in, but when I went back they said no. I think they were not being truthful to me. It was new and could be resold for a good price. I was upset to have lost it, now to find another one or figure out how we are going to get around and what there is to see where.
In Bangkok we watched a bookseller using a file to take the dirt off the pages on the sides and tops of books, use manicure scissors to trim off little pieces of paper, erasers to remove marks inside and I am sure they have other tricks to make the books look new and then try to sell them for the new price of $28 +. I was looking at a LP Egypt book and he wanted $20+ for it. Feeling the cover I knew it wasn't new as he said it was.
On our way back we check at all the stops in the market just in case I might have left the book there, but we didn't find it. We did get to see a man from a pet store with a little snake. Len really thought I should hold it. Not a chance!
He did lead me through the back of the market where the fresh meat is. I took my hat off and held it over my nose and went as fast as I could. I think that will be the last one for me to tour.
Back home to put our feet up. TV is not too good, so we are watching curling now, it's that or the financial channel, no movie channels here. Out for dinner down the road and then a walk around the area.
I think we might rent bikes tomorrow and figure out where we are going and how we will get there.
