Last day in Bangkok/ Ayutthaya

We started our day off by heading to one of the world's largest weekend markets, the Chatuchak Weekend Market. It covers 28 acres with over 200,000 visitors every day. Most vendors actually come from local factories, like antique wood carving and clay handicrafts. They sell anything and everything here including baby squirrels! David wouldn't let me buy one : ( We bargained for a few beautiful wood carved items for myself and some gifts. It was fun just getting lost wandering from stall to stall looking at the thousands of items being sold.

After the market it was time for us to get on a bus to Ayutthaya (Thailand's formal capital in ancient times). We found the bus station, asked where to buy tickets for the hour and a half bus ride, paid $1.50 each, hopped on a bus, and five minutes later we were on our way! When we reached the bus terminal (which was nothing more than a bus stop) we wandered aimlessly for about 15 seconds before being approached by a tuk-tuk driver offering to take us to our destination. He drove us to the train station and offered to show us around to all of the temples for the rest of the day. We said sure; so he walked us into the train station, showed us where to put our bags and where to buy tickets. The man at the ticket desk had no idea how to find our reserved tickets and had no interest in helping us. Our tuk-tuk driver, Mr. Winai, spoke to him in Thai for the next 20 minutes and we walked out very relieved with our tickets for the train that night, thanks to Mr. Winai!

Our first temple stop was Wat Yai Chai MongKol, there were 135 seated buddhas surrounding 4 small stupas, with a immense stupa in the center. It was built in 1360. It also contains a temple of the reclining buddha, which represents Buddha after his death. It was beautiful, all of the Buddha statues were draped in orange cloth, similar to the monks.

Our second temple stop was Wat Phra Mahathat (The Temple of the Great Relic). It contains the remains of a sandstone statue of the Buddha whose body has been lost to the ages but whose head rests in the climbing roots and vines of a tree. Around this famous figure are many other statues of the Ayutthaya period which have survived the ravages of time (there were many headless buddha statues that were falling apart). As we were leaving we both needed to use the restroom and we were both scarred for life. The women's bathroom had only squatter toilets, with a bucket to wash it out, and geckos on the wall. The men's bathroom had a stray dog in front of the urinal, so David had to maneuver around him. On the way out we bought amazing fresh pineapple from a cart.

Our third temple stop was Wat Phra Si Sanphet. It was built in the late 14th century and was the largest temple in Ayutthaya (and used by several kings). It once contained a 16m-high standing Buddha covered with 250 kg of gold but it was melted down by the Burmese conquerors. Along the outside of the temple are three dominant stupas which David recognized from the movie "Mortal Kombat." A bunch of Thai teenagers came up to us throughout our time at this temple asking to take pictures with us, they were all super cute and loved practicing their English.

Our fourth temple stop was Wat Phu Khao Thong, a stark white chedi in the flat plains of rice fields and fish ponds. It was built to celebrate the victory of King Naresuan over the Burmese.It was one of my favorites because it was outside of the main town and had an amazing view.

Our last temple stop was Wat Ratburana, which we saw at lit-up at night. It was David's favorite because it was massive and complex. We paid 100 baht to get in because it was already closed. We walked around for a little bit with bats and hundreds of insects flying around us. After this temple we ate at a little Thai restaurant directly across the street. We had amazing cashew chicken, deep fried spring rolls, and pad Thai noodle with shrimp. We sat at a traditional table, on mats on the floor with slippers on. It was very relaxing.

After dinner we waited for about 45 minutes at the train station for our overnight train to Chiang Mai. We got first-class sleeper trains which turned out to be a private room with two bunks, a sink, lots of A/C, and blankets. It was very nice, especially compared to the wooden benches some people had to sit on! We woke up refreshed and ready for Chiang Mai. Now we are at our guesthouse, Baan Hanibah, it is so beautiful. It is a Lanna teak house, and a husband and wife run it. She has been feeding us since we arrived! Can't wait to explore Chiang Mai!