My van came in a little late at 645AM and we still circled around some hotels to pick-up other tourists who took the same tour. The first couple that got in was from Australia - Ray and Margaret Waymouth. The other 4 was the Cuppens family from the Netherlands - Henry, Henny and their 2 beautiful girls. At first the group kept to themselves. But eventually we all have warmed towards each other and got into interesting conversations during the 2 hour drive to Ayuthaya.
Our first stop was to visit the Bang Pa-In Palace. It was like a summer residence of the former Siam King. The place is kept clean and orderly amidst the droves of sight-seeing tourists. As it turned out, the package tour I paid is exclusive of entrance fees so I paid 100 Baht just to get in. I tagged along the Cuppens family and we rented a small golf cart to go around the Palace - stopping in between to take photos and walk along the premises.What I liked most in the palace is the elaborately decorated Royal Raft situated in the man-made pond. The pond even has live turtles and catfish that busily feasts on bread thrown in by tourists.
After an hour of strolling, we went straight to Wat Yai Chaya Mongkol where a big golden-colored reclining buddha awaits. (Wat = temple) The place was a feast in the eyes as there were a lot of buddhas circling around the stupa. Within the same area was the Wat Maha That.
We drove again for 15minutes and reached the place where an elephant show is held every 2 hours. They also cater elephant rides to tourists. Amazingly, I could vouch that it was worth the trip just to see the elephants perform! They dance, they march, they play the hoola-hoops.. I was totally entertained and I couldn't ask for more! This time, cute may not be appropriate if I refer to elephants but I beg to break the rules.... Achu-chu-chu-chu....About 10 minute walk from the elephant show were the next two temples called Wat Mongkol Bophit and Wat Pra Si San Phet. Frankly, I couldn't tell which one does the name refer to since I was busy taking photos when the guide pointed it out. All I know is that in the same area lies an old ruined temple and a newly constructed, painted one. If I were to choose, I'd definitely take the ruins as my favorite since it has more charm and mystery to it. (Plus I had a lot of good self-portraits. Ha, ha!)
After a much needed break, we headed to a modest restaurant along the Mekong River and had lunch (included in the package) at 1PM. I didn't mind joining my new acquaintances in the table as they were very friendly. Towards the end, all of us were busy talking to each other that our tour guide finally went to break our chit-chats. =POur last stop was at the Ancient Palace. According to our guide, the place was heavily looted that's why a lot of the buddhas have
already lost their heads. There is one buddha head that was too heavy that thieves decided to leave it in a tree. Centuries after the tree became bigger that it held up the head of the buddha to its current level right now.That buddha head became one of the most famous faces (no pun intended) of Ayuthaya. In reverence to their god, the guards are very strict that when tourists take pictures, their heads should not be higher than the buddha's. Hence, all of us either had to stoop down or squat in the dirt.
After these temple roundabouts, we traveled back to Bangkok City, stopped by in a jewelery shop (typical of package tours to get commissions) and was finally dropped off in our respective hotels.
Happily, I didn't break my usual practice of going for mass every Sunday. The Holy Redeemer Catholic Church was just around the bend of the street where JL is located. Amazing!
In the evening I finally saw my friend Ned and had coffee with him.
Lights out.
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