GET LOST IN AYUTTHAYA: DIY VOYAGE in the OLD CITY of SIAM

And because I am adventure seeker and didn't afraid of getting lost and for being shrewd in location I tried a DIY day trip to Ayutthaya on our second day in Bangkok, but before that I had a thorough study about the place.

Going to Ayutthaya was a worth visiting when you are in Bangkok that’s why we grabbed the opportunity to go there. Early in the morning after we took our breakfast we get ready for our DIY trip to Ayutthaya. So the first question was how to get there? There are various ways to reach Ayutthaya.

BY CAR: You can rent a car if you know how to drive, you know how to read Thai letters and you know the direction or maybe you can rent a taxi/van if you are travelling by group.

BY TRAIN: The cheapest way to reach Ayutthaya. It’s regularly departs from Hualamphong Train Station. The trip takes about 2 – 2.5 hours.

BY PUBLIC BUS: Buses operate from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) directly to Ayutthaya. First class air-con buses charge 50 Baht. This trip is scheduled to be around an hour and a half, but allow at least two hours for the trip since the buses stop rather frequently and they’re often jam on the roads out of/into Bangkok.

BY MINIBUS (VAN): Convenient minibus service can get stuck in traffic, but makes no stops like regular buses operates from the Victory Monument square in Bangkok. Take BTS Skytrain to the Victory Monument station and go right on the elevated walkway keep at it until you cross a large road, the buses are parked at the side of Fashion Mall. The cost is usually 70 Baht and takes around 1 hour.

BY CRUISE BOAT: The priciest of all. 

We took the way to Ayutthaya via train then go back to the city through minibus. From Ekkamai Station we rode the BTS and get off at Asok Station then interchange in MRT Line Underground Train to Huamlamphong train Station then take Exit B. You can ask the officer at the Information desk and he can give you a copy of the train time schedule, don’t worry he is very good in English. 

We caught the 9:30 train bound to Ayutthaya; we bought tickets to Bang-Pa In for 13 Baht, one of the 16 districts of Ayutthaya where you can see the eminent Bang Pa In Palace a summer place of the Kings of Thailand. Unfortunately, we overlooked the Bang Pa In Station, a piece of advice please oh please pay attention in every stop over on the train because you will never notice it until you passed it. And, that’s what happened on our trip, we just found out that we are already in Ayutthaya means we missed the Bang Pa In station so may magagawa pa ba kami? There’s no one announcing that you are now in this station blah blah, even the signage some are covered and cannot be seen so you MUST be careful or else you might be lost J

We decided to take the train to Ayutthaya to experience the life of Thais people; we wanted to know how it feels to be like them. You wouldn’t learn their culture if you don’t interact with them, one thing variance us we don’t understand them haha. The cons of taking this route were the train was so crowded with the locals, if not running the place was so hot and the longest hour of travelling was suck. We depart at 9:30am and we arrived in Ayutthaya at 1:00pm, we spent almost 3 ½ hours on the track. OMIGAD

Ayutthaya is 76 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo-China's most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya a Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city has been included in UNESCO's list of world heritage since December 13, 1991. The Historic City of Ayutthaya covers the remains of the second Siamese capital. It represents the birthplace of true Thai art, including wall paintings, and architecture. Ayuthaya succeeded Sukhothai (another World Heritage) as the capital of Siam (now Thailand) during the 15th century. Four hundred Seventeen years later, Bangkok took over from Ayuthaya. In 1767, as a result of two years of war, Ayuthaya was conquered by the Burmese army. They destroyed everything that was sacred to the Thais. The city became abandoned, and fell into ruins.

Heavy rains welcomed us; I was so worried that time masisira pa ata ang araw ko, in the middle of the rain someone approaches us, a licensed tour guide in Ayutthaya. He offers us 900 Baht for two included a four hour tour around Ayutthaya “RUINS ALL YOU CAN”, I haggled down I said 600 baht but he refused, in the end we agreed for 700 Baht. You don’t need to worry about the transportation around the Ayutthaya because upon arrival in Ayutthaya train station there’s a lot of tuktuk drivers who will offer you a ride the cost will be depending upon your negotiating ability. Haha. But remember that it will not reach thousand baht for a maximum of four people. The cheapest of all was hiring a bicycle; this was a good option if you want to make your trip more enjoyable, unforgettable and adventurous. Based on all the blogs I’ve read, aside from bicycle hiring a tuktuk was the best way to go around Ayutthaya so as I expected “tuktuk”. I was shocked when our tour guide gave us a ride in his car. Jackpot. Sulit ang 700 baht. Iba talaga pag-prayers ang nauna, very powerful! Then, we proceed to our excursions. 

Our Service

WAT YAI CHAIMONGKHON

“Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory” in English translation. A monastery established when the two princesses of Ayutthaya died of cholera; it will serve as the stupa (a monastery with a holy monument) and viharn (preaching hall). The temple also became the home of Buddhist monks ordained and trained at the Monastery. (http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_YaiChaiMongkhon.html) please refer to this.

WAT MAHA THAT

The “Monastery of the Great Relic”, was one of the most significant monasteries of the Ayutthaya kingdom, not merely because it was the religious center and protected relics of the Buddha, but also because of its proximity to the Grand Palace. It was a royal monastery and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the City Dwelling group till the end of the Ayutthaya period.

The tourist high light

PHRA MONGKHON BOPHIT

One of the largest Buddha Image in the attitude of subduing. The image was probably built in the reign of King Chairacha in 1538 for Wat Chi Chieng. During the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 Wihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit was fired. The right arm and the knot of the Buddha image were broken, but it was restored in the reign of King Rama V with mortar and wilhara to cover the image in 1956.

WAT LOKAYASUTHARAM

Known as “The Temple of the Reclining Buddha”.

WAT CHAIWATTHANARAM

"The Temple of long reign and glorious era" the most impressive ruins of the city. The story of the giant temple complex does not start with the construction of the building. There is a compelling story behind the events that lead to its eventual creation. Construction of the temple started just one year after the new Kings accession to the throne, in 1630 AD (2174 in Buddhist years). The temple was dedicated to his late mother and also acted as a monument to his greatness and victory over the late King.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of the must see attractions in the city, and is truly worthy of its status as a UNESCO world heritage site.

In 2011, the extensive flooding that devastated the country of Thailand, particularly the central regions including Ayutthaya and Wat Chaiwatthanaram caused extensive damage to this unique and delicate temple. Since the flooding the temple has been closed to the general public so that repairs can be done under the watchful eyes of UNESCO.

My favorite of all, this temple amazed me. For its stunning appeal and unbeatable structure this one made me feel at ease.

Thailand was known as the Kingdom of Elephant so a trip here will not be terminated if you don’t try to ride on an elephant. That’s why even I’m afraid and frail I give it a try charge to experience ika nga. I am uncomfortably seated on the howdah; I was praying and praying and praying the whole ride. I’m paranoid that time. Haha. I think it’s not that safe, because if accident calls you I’m sure sa taas nun your dead!. If you’re going to ride in elephant hold tight and just go with the flow. Dance with it. Haha.

We leave Ayutthaya past 4:00 in the afternoon and reach the city by 6:30. We looked for a place for dinner because we’re already hungry from the long trip. And, we don’t have yet eaten since we arrived in Ayutthaya only water for refreshment. Haha. We chose Yayoi – a chain of cheap Japanese restaurants with locations all over Bangkok, Thailand which serves the best value of set meals at very affordable price. The service was great with very friendly local staff.

And here’s end our second day in Bangkok!

Chatuchak Weekend Market & Bangkok Significant Temple

It was Saturday morning and I saved this day for Chatuchak weekend market. The largest market in Thailand and the world’s largest weekend market, home to more than 15,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand. It became a very popular shopping destination for tourist. The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals.

For first timer’s conquering Chatuchak like us, you may find it very difficult, but no worries because there’s a system to help and guide you navigate your way through Chatuchak. Inside, one main walkway encircles the entire market, and it branches off into a series of numbered alleyways called Soi 1, Soi 2, Soi 3, and so on.

Chatuchak was divided into 11 categories: It was very helpful.

·         Clothing & Accessories (sections 2-6, 10-26)

·         Handicrafts (sections 8-11)

·         Ceramics (sections 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 25)

·         Furniture and Home Decoration (sections 1,3,4,7,8)

·         Food and Beverage (sections 2, 3, 4, 23, 24, 26, 27)

·         Plants and Gardening tools (sections 3, 4)

·         Art and Gallery (section 7)

·         Pets and Pet Accessories (sections 8, 9, 11, 13)

·         Books (sections 1, 27)

·         Antiques and Collectibles (sections 1, 26)

·         Miscellaneous and Used Clothing (sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 22, 25, 26)

Chatuchak was truly a shopping haven or literally shop ‘till you drop. Make sure that you had a lot of money to buy all stuff you want and brush up your negotiating skills to get what you want at a friendly price. But before that, please be reminded of this some tips.

·         Wear light and comfortable clothing, e.g. shorts and a T-shirt/tank-top

·         Wear comfortable shoes, e.g. a pair of sneakers or sandals

·         Protect yourself against the sun, by wearing sunglasses, a hat and use sunscreen

·         Bring a backpack for storing your new-found treasures. It is recommended that you wear your backpack on the front rather than on your back

·         Always have bottled drinking water handy

·         Bring enough cash. Most vendors do not accept credit cards, and it can be a long walk to the next ATM

·         Beware of pickpockets and watch your belongings.

·         Plan to go in the morning, as it can get very hot and crowded in the afternoon

·         Free maps are available from one of the information kiosks

It was past twelve o’clock in the morning when we decided to leave Chatuchak and I alone headed to Platinum Mall and Pratunam Market.

I took BTS Skytrain and get off at Siam station, but it is more convenient if you drop off at Chit Lom Station take exit 1 and walk ten minutes down Ratchadamri Road pass Central World on your left, over the Saen Saeb canal and then left on Phetachburi Road.

Platinum Mall is like an indoor version of Chatuchak, located in Pratunam area. It is a six-story complex with an 11-storey condominium building above the complex.  It caters fashionable clothes and accessories which can be bought in retail and wholesale. Please take note that you only need to buy 3 pieces per item in order to get it at wholesale price.

I almost tired and famished as I reached the Platinum Mall, due to the long walk and sunny weather. I went directly to the food court, unfortunately before I made my final decision which food I’m going to take naka-sampung ikot pa ako :D

After then I decided to amble around the mall. 

There’s a big difference between Chatuchak and Platinum Mall in terms of prices, that’s why I didn’t bother myself to buy any, even a piece here. Proportion to Platinum Mall is the Pratunam Market, Bangkok wholesale market. A best place to shop, prices are very cheap. Located at the intersection of Ratchaprop and Petchburi roads (next to Amari Watergate Hotel), Pratunam Wholesale Market is filled with shops and tiny stalls flowing over to the sidewalks and extending all the way to Baiyoke Towers I and Baiyoke Towers II on Ratchaprarop Soi 3.

Really recommended place for shopping. I ended up my 3^rd day here.

4^th Day in Bangkok – Temple Hopping

Another exciting day ahead.. I kept this day for Temple Hopping! We know that Thailand was rich in their exotic sights including the Buddhist temple. So visiting Bangkok would not be complete without seeing at least two of them.

We opted to buy ‘Tourist Boats’ offering unlimited trips to nine prominent piers for a 150 Baht flat fee. Crossing the Chao Phraya River was the easiest and the fastest way to reach some temples. Three of the Highlights of the Chao Phraya River were on our list; The Grand Palace, Wat Pho & Wat Arun.

The Grand Palace is the official residence of the King of Siam. The most visited landmark of Thailand. For a brief history, construction of the Grand Palace began in 1782 during the reign of King Rama I, the founder of Chakri Dynasty, to become a royal residence, and it has been the utmost architectural symbol of Thailand ever since. Throughout successive kings, numerous buildings were added; making it’s a complex sophisticated structure in different styles. The Grand Palace served as a significant royal residence until 1925 and is now used for ceremonial purposes only.

The Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions, gardens and courtyard. It is divided into several quarters: The Outer Court, home to royal offices, public buildings and the Temple of Emerald Buddha; the Middle Court, which is where the most important residential and state buildings are including the Phra Maha Monthian Buildings, Phra Maha Prasat Building and Chakri Maha Prasat Building; and the Inner Court, which is exclusively reserved for the king, his queen and his consorts.  (http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Grand-Palace--52)

Grand Palace was really a fascinating one, especially when we talked about architecture and design, very impressive. To avoid a bad experience please dress properly because they have a dress code required to follow, this place is holy and they don’t want to be like being insulted. Please do take note; these are the following clothes that are strictly not allowed for both gentlemen and ladies. (From Thai tourism board)

• Shorts, miniskirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, and tights
• See-through shirts and blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers
• Sleeveless shirts or vests
• Sandals (without ankle or heel straps)
• Rolled-up-sleeved shirts
• Sweatshirts and sweatpants, wind-cheaters, pajamas and fisherman trousers.

To avoid any trouble just obey the rule.

Upon entering you need to pay 500 Baht entrance fee. Yeah! You read it right so expensive isn’t it? It was also a totally jam-packed tourist spot. Have patience because surely that you will be bumping with other and the heat will tend to make you a little cranky. Bring bottled water and umbrella it’s going to be very incredible hot inside maybe because of the shiny materials used in the structure of each building that completely exposed in the sun. And the final thing to be deceived. I read a bunch of reports that some tuktuk driver will be trying to divert your attention by saying that the Palace was close that day and they will extend you a tour and bring you to the Jewelry Shop and there you will be scammed by making a purchase that you don’t need. Just ignore them and proceed to walk to the main gate. Grand Palace is open every day.

The main highlight of this palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha known as Wat Phra Kaeo renowned as the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaeo Morakot) was the most highly revered Buddha image carved from a single block of fine jade. You need to take off your shoes upon entering this temple. If you were afraid that your shoes might be stolen and you want to bring it with you this is prohibited. If you want you better to keep it in your purse.

Another famous castle and the greatest of all is the Chakri Maha Prasat, situated in the middle court which considered as the principal component of the Grand Palace.

Another famous castle and the greatest of all is the Chakri Maha Prasat, situated in the middle court which considered as the principal component of the Grand Palace.

We go next to Wat Pho “The Temple of the Reclining Buddha”. We rode again the express boat to Tha Tien pier without even knowing that this was only located behind the Grand Palace. You can see here dried seafood vendor along the way.

Wat Pho is named after a monastery in India where Buddha is believed to have lived. It houses the famous huge Reclining Buddha statue. At 20 acres large, it is the largest Wat in Bangkok, and is technically the oldest too, as it was built around 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand's capital. The highly impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The feet and the eyes are engraved with mother-of-pearl decoration, and the feet also show the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha.

The entrance fee is 100 Baht. We didn't bother ourselves to enter this temple rather we looked for a place to dine. Tha Tien pier was packed of economical food stalls, so we have decided to take our lunch here. After then we go to Wat Arun.

Wat Arun is located just across Tha Tien Pier. You just need to ride a small shuttle boat that will take you to the other side for only 3 Baht. The temple is open daily with 100 Baht entry charge. It is one of the most spectacular temples in Bangkok because of its very different design, which is partly made up of colorful spires. It is known as the Temple of the Dawn which absolutely very stunning at sunset, especially when lit up at night.

When you wish to climb Wat Arun please be careful because the stairs are very steep and getting up is as tricky as getting down. You can see uphill the snaking Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace and the Wat Pho.

I woke up early, it’s our 5^th and last day here and Bangkok and going back to Manila in the evening. Nothing much special we did that day. My mom chose to stay at the hotel while I’m having my last minute shopping. 

Till next time Bangkok :) 

Sawadee Bangkok!

Another blessing from above! Since my mother will be having a long vacation, I had decided to book a ticket for us a trip to Bangkok. It was my treat for her, to relax and to have a respite from her very tiring work abroad, and for me too, Bangkok is one on my list for this year. 

Travelling together with your family will give you the edge to avoid a lot of questions and not to hold by the immigration officer, and having multiple stamped on your passport is an advantage as well. From the time I booked this vacation I was so excited, I conduct a research and read blogs about Bangkok which I believed that could be very helpful in planning a trip.

Suvarnabhumi Airport (Golden Land) also known as Bangkok International Airport is one of two international airports serving Bangkok. This airport is currently the main hub for Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and Orient Thai Airlines. It also serves as regional gateway and connecting point for various foreign carriers. Suvarnabhumi Airport depicts what Bangkok truly is. Upon arrival you will be greeted by Thai letters, people, language, and even how the airport structured, the ideas were all inspired by Thai culture. You can see that they are very proud of what they are. 

Truly that Thailand was a jam-packed of tourist from different countries around the world, wanting to see and experience Bangkok life. We arrived at Suvarnabumi Airport at 8:35 in the morning, there’s a time difference between Manila and Bangkok (-1) but the weather of the two are the same. Suvarnabhumi was very fascinating in terms of design and architecture, it was not huge like Hong Kong International Airport (Hongkong) and Changi International Airport (Singapore) but it can stand out among the two, for its uniqueness. Approaching Bangkok Immigration was a long queue, so before you can exit you will spend at least an hour of waiting in line. After we went past the immigration officer, we bought first tourist SIM card for 299.00 Baht good for 7 days unli-internet (you can find out their booth at the arrival hall). You don’t need to worry about the transportation here because Bangkok has Airport Rail Link that provides easy access from Suvarnabhumi Airport via Makkasan to Phaya Thai station in central Bangkok. This connects you to MRT underground and the BTS Skytrain. The increment rate starts at 15 Baht maximum 45 Baht; you can buy your token from the Automatic Token Dispensers located at every station, select your destination and the number of passengers and the fare will be calculated based on your input. You can also buy your token from the ticket booth. (http://bangkokairporttrain.com/time-table-route.html please refer to this) In our case, from Suvarnabhumi Airport we get off at the Phaya Thai station that connects to BTS station then at Ekkamai Station where our hotel was situated. Only one thing that this mode of transportation disappoints us, there’s no escalator that can make it easy to go up and down. So if you are bringing large and heavy baggage taking this route were not the best option. 

We stayed at Lodge 21 Hotel centrally located in Sukhumvit area, a bed and breakfast hotel that caters visitors and travelers. I booked this through Agoda.com which I found affordable yet comfortable, what I loved about this hotel was it just a minute walk away from the Ekkamai BTS station. It was very convenient which was surrounded by malls, supermarket, food chain and the Eastern Terminal was very near if you want to go to Pattaya.  Lodge 61 is a friendly-budget hotel, we check in at 1:00 in the afternoon, the staff was very friendly they accompany us up to our room on the 7^th floor. Our room was too big for two which can accommodate up to 4-5 persons. The room has a mini-refrigerator, safety box for your important stuff, flat-screen television, air-condition, and private bathroom and the most important thing is we had a very comfortable stay here.

(http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/bangkok/lodge_61_hotel.html)

We took first an hour of sleep before we decided to stroll around Bangkok.

Terminal 21

Fasten your seat belt, we’re now ready to aboard! For our first stop, a must visit shopping mall in Bangkok as it brings the world to you. This mall is unusual for its Airport theme where each of its nine floors represents several famous cities around the world i.e., Paris, Rome, London, etc. they not only satisfy your retail lust, but it also fulfills your dream to see the world in just one roof. Pretty cool!  

Terminal 21 is very accessible located at BTS Asok Station take Exit 1, the exit links to the entrance of the shopping mall.

When I entered the mall I was mesmerized on how the mall was constructed. You will not only treasure your shopping items, but the shopping experience that Terminal 21 can give you. As I walked around, my eyes were filled with awesome architectural design, colorful lights, and shopping boutique inside as if I was walking on the famous market streets in the world. It was a perfect place to do window shopping. In every escalator you can see boards stating “departure” and arrival along with the city names and the floor level, as if you are entering a country and leaving it.

LG Floor - Caribbean

You can see here the tall lighthouse, as if you’re walking on an island. Convenience Store, Supermarkets & basic needs are located. 

G Floor - Rome

You can find here: Fashion, Accessories, Cosmetics, some local Brands and Luxury brand boutiques. It was decorated with amazing sculptures, statue and well-known painting.

M Floor - Paris

1^st Floor – Tokyo

Inspired by Harajuku town. Complete by 10-ft statues of sumo wrestlers sculpture, reserved for ladies boutique. 

2^nd Floor – London

Adorned with the iconic telephone boxes everywhere and a huge London double-decker bus with nice shops inside. Its concept is Oxford Street in London, served in mini-shops of men's wears, jeans and sporting goods.

3^rd Floor - Istanbul

Enthused by Istanbul Market Town concept and decorated by colorful Istanbul’s lamps. This floor filled with mini-shops of shoes, bags, accessories, and jewelries.

4^th and 5^th Floor – San Francisco

You can spot here the San Francisco Trams and Golden Gate Bridge. This 4^th floor is the house of the Thailand’s famous restaurant.

On the 5^th floor where the Pier 21 is located was a Food Haven, a huge food court serving very affordable and delicious food with the theme of seaports and a fisherman village from the concept of Fisherman Village of San Francisco.

6^th Floor – Hollywood

The well-known Hollywood Street completes the novelty, concept is from the Hollywood Studio Town surrounded by Hollywood signs and Oscar Statuette. It was the zone for IT and Mobile products.

TIP: Please please please do check out restroom in every floor or else a visit to Terminal 21 will be useless, like me I missed it. So sad. I only saw one. 

After that we left Terminal 21 and check out what so-called ASIATIQUE RIVERFRONT, Bangkok’s first large-scale riverside community mall combining shopping, dining, sightseeing, activities and events in one roof. The strongest cultural aspect is what sets it apart from other shopping malls. There are more than 1,500 boutiques selling ultimate souvenir, fashionable clothes, textiles, accessories and home decor items. With more than 40 restaurants, there are Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and seafood dishes served all night. There are also the extravaganza of Cabaret girls from Calypso Bangkok and the lifelike movements of Thai puppets featured by Joe Louis Puppet Theater.

So, we took the BTS from Asok station to the Saphan Taksin Station and take Exit 2, on the stairs you will see the Sathorn Pier station just follow the sign that will lead you to the Asiatique free shuttle ferry (free which means you don’t  need to pay) that leaves every 15 mins. Asiatique opens daily from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, but much better to be there at 6:00 because some shop opens late. It was also idealistic to visit it at dusk, as it can emphasize the real attractiveness of the place.

Asiatique is divided into four classes: Chareonkrung District where you will find the majority of the small boutiques, Factory District for gadget store including Apple, Waterfront District for the classy dining selection and the Town Square District for the major events including Calypso Cabaret.

I was sincerely amazed with this riverside high-end night market; the location was very awesome it can relieve stress. It was a good place for nightlife destinations who want to spend a fun night out in Bangkok.  There are many things that you can do in, you can shop here, dine and party until midnight. But, don’t just limit yourself with those; try to watch the lady boy show where Bangkok is popular of. 

Also, try to ride the Asiatique Ferris Wheel where can give you a panoramic view of Riverside Bangkok. It was best during at night, where the colorful and lively light of surrounding is on.

And because we are tired from our flight last morning and we will have an early trip tomorrow to Ayutthaya we had decided to go back to the hotel earlier. We just bought snacks from the supermarket and a take out from McDonald’s enough for us to fill in our stomach for that night.