The Ancient Capital - Ayutthaya

Our first trip within the Land of Smiles was to the ancient capital Ayutthaya.  We had done plenty of research on how to get there, and decided the cheapest way was by train.  So the night before we just planned on getting up and going in the morning to Hua Lumphong train station.  I will probably keep using  station names throughout this (cause it makes things easier on me...sorry), so basically you will have no idea what they mean or where they are.  So I give you this map guide of the transit system.

So there you go.  Anyways, we arrived at the station around 8.  As usual, we wandered aimlessly looking like fools trying to figure out the cheapest way to get there.  Of course, we had people encouraging us to buy air con class tickets for 800B (25$).  That may sound like a good deal back home, but this is Thailand, so let me tell you how much we paid for our real tickets.  We decided to rough it and take the local diesel third class train for 15B one way (20B for the return), which is around a dollar for the entire transport.  My waffle from the street hawker outside the station was more expensive.  However, you pay for what you get.  We were actually surprised we got third class tickets because they tend to only sell them to thais who are poorer.  So obviously, we saw some interesting people on board; people who made you feel uneasy, people who you couldn't take your eyes off of, and people you wished had been farm animals like you see on tv.  Even though we weren't crowded into cars packed with livestock and thai farmers, it still was an interesting ride.  With no air con, all the windows were open and filthy old fans oscillated and threw yesterday's pollution into your face.  With this type of train, it trekked through little villages, farmlands, and shanty towns where you literally could not stick your hand out the window due to the rusted roofs of homes.  The ride only lasted two hours and we headed towards the pier.

Ayutthaya is surrounded by three rivers, and on a map, it looks relatively small -- it is not.  Pretty much the only transportation in the city is tuk-tuks.  These environmental friendly bastards come in a variety of forms, depending on the town, city, province, and country your in, and always try to rip you off.  Here is a showcase of our favorite mode of transportation...and when I say favorite and environmentally friendly, I am being sarcastic.

The infamous Bangkok tuk-tuk!

The Ayutthaya tuk-tuk...comes with smoking greasy driver usually.

Smaller Thai city tuk-tuk...you pay extra for the fourth wheel.

Cambodian tuk-tuks...energy savers.

Malaysian tuk-tuks...even more energy sufficient -- manpower.

And if you wanna split the bill among friends, its best to travel in groups...

...or if you want to die.

Anyways, enough about the mode of cheap transportation in SEA (south east asia).  We normally avoid tuk-tuks at all costs just because they are annoying and overpriced.  You can get cheap rides, but you have to make sure you agree on a price before you go anywhere.  And you must haggle.  It's a way of life here.  So after crossing the river on what seemed like a long piece of wood that they called a ferry, we started our walk.  After about a half an hour walking in the Thailand sun, we realized this place may not be as small as we thought. But we got through it and saw some amazing sites.  The ruins were incredible, and it was not very crowded (pictures on FB if interested).  The Siam civilization used to be one of the largest of its time period in SEA.  They worshiped both buddhist and hindu gods.  In one of the wats (temples), a 19 meter high golden buddha sits.  It is always neat to enter sacred temples, where you must remove your shoes, and everyone is in prayer.  I love the feel of chilly marble on bare feet, I do not know why.  I am obsessed with marble, especially when I can walk on it.  After seeing the main temple complexes, we wanted to see the giant reclining buddha, that basically reclines out in the middle of nowhere.  Buddha is literally facing a road that is near impossible to find and smiles at all the food stands and shanties in front of him.  After being lost for a while, we finally waved down a tuk-tuk and he took us to our destination for a little less than a dollar.  After viewing more similar sites, we took another cab back to the ferry and waited about 3 hours till the next train rolled through.  Even though it was boring waiting for three hours, there is always something to entertain you in Thailand.  We sat in the muggy station, watching stray dogs lick themselves, ladyboys primp themselves, and bikkhus (monks) meditate on themselves.  We always wonder what monks are thinking when they look to be in deep thought.  Why am I wearing a dress again?  Damn, I look good in orange.  Or maybe, who can I send to get me cheap cigs from Loas?  What do they think about?  I am sure its much deeper than the thoughts I spill out to you few lucky readers who spend time actually reading this.  I do have a deep respect for monks, as they live off what is donated to them and spend their entire lives searching for the answers that most people dare not to delve into.  I am excited to learn more about buddhism and their philosophies.  I'll probably start with a book before I go shave my head and pick out the first and last orange suit i'll ever wear.  I think I've spent more time writing this post than our actual trip to Ayutthaya.  So anyways...luckily the train came just in time, as the monsoons struck around there usual time (4pm).   We got back to the station and hopped on one subway train and one skytrain to end or day trip to the ancient capital.  

Lessons learned: Ayutthaya
- you cannot walk the entire city, rent a bike
- dual pricing system blows
- tuk-tuks are alright (when you have no other options)
- buddha is the man
- 3rd class trains are awesome