Thai Trip Report: Day #7

This was a pretty brave day for us.  Armed with some internet research, we decided to explore Ayutthaya on our own.  There are several tour companies that offer packages to Ayutthaya, however, they run well over $100/couple and from what I've read this is a day trip that could be relatively easy for someone to organize on their own.

We head to Victory Monument to get a van to our destination.  From what I've read there are many vans that leave approximately every 30 minutes, or once they are full.  We step off the skytrain at Victory Monument and are overwhelmed at how large it is and how many buses, vans, and taxis there are.  How are we supposed to find the right one?!  As luck would have it, as soon as we walk down the stairs to the main road, there is a van right in front of us with "Ayutthaya" across the windshield.  We hop in and pay the guy 30 baht, or $2 each for our ride there.  We wait another 15 minutes for the van to fill and we are on our way.  The ride takes about 1.5 hrs.  As soon as we arrive we are approached by a tuk tuk driver who states he will take us around for 200 baht/hour ($6.67).  This is what I've read the going rate to be, but Matt and I are hungry and we want to wander around for food first.  The tuk tuk driver offers to take us to a restaurant first so we can eat, and he will not charge us for this time.  Fair enough.  We are somewhat reluctant because tuk tuk drivers in Bangkok are notorious for bringing you to places you did not ask to go and for bringing you to overpriced establishments for which they receive kick backs.  We were too worn out from our travels to care.  Imagine our surprise when we were brought to a lovely riverside/floating restaurant with reasonable prices.  The food was delicious too!

When then begin travelling around Ayutthaya. Armed with a map and limited English, our tuk tuk driver did his best as a tour guide. Definitely worth $12! We got some amazing pictures and had a great time, but it was quite hot that day and although there was plenty more to see, we were ready to head back home. We gave the guy a $5 tip and he was so thankful. I think we both made out well on that deal. We pay another $4 for our return trip to Bangkok. Voila! Ayutthaya for less than a third of the cost of the other tours!


In a temple

 

Beautiful Buddhas

I told Matt I didn't think it was a good idea to climb up.

And apparently so did the sign that Matt didn't read until his way down.

Learning from past nights, we arrive back at our hotel, take quick showers, and head out.  No naps!  We decided to go to the Hard Rock Cafe.  We are loving the Thai food, but let me tell you, sinking our teeth into a juicy burger was heavenly!  We have a few drinks, then a couple more, then decide to explore the area.  There isn't much going on and we decide to head out to a different part of the city.  We somehow begin talking to a "teacher on vacation from Singapore" who tells us about a really good bar to go to and before we know it we are in a tuk tuk on our way there.  Oh, we fell victim so quickly when our guard is down.  The tuk tuk brings us to this bar off the main road with a $10 cover charge.  Matt and I turn around, walk towards the skytrain and head home.  That was enough excitement for the day.