Lopburi - smells like Monkey

Took the early train to Lopburi, for a small stop off to see some more ruins and the monkey’s. Arrived and was instantly hassled and agreed to a 1 hour tour of the town to see the Monkeys, from bicycle with a little basket on the back (saamlaw). Dave and I had a bicycle each with a fit thai on the front peddling away.  

First stop, the Museum, where we went unnoticed (oops forgot to pay the 50 baht) due to many many people setting up Chinese New Year decorations. Then back on the little bikes to the Monkey Temple, that smelt like Monkey…I had my walking pole for protection which the Thai’s thought was a great idea. Paid 50 Baht to walk in the scorching sun to look at a grotty ruin covered in Monkeys, there were monkeys all over the road, the power lines, in the back of utes and taking over buildings - so we needn’t have paid, but it was nice to make a contribution.

Ayutthaya - Khmer ruins, Buddha’s and more ruins

Arrived in Ayutthaya, jumped off the train and walked towards the canal we knew we needed to cross, a little boat was waiting, as with everything in Thailand, you never seem to wait, got to the other side and got stung for 3 baht (10 cents) each. From there we had no idea where to go, and walked in the direction we thought we should go (So hot, extremely heavy bags). A nice English man on a scooter with his Thai lady on the back, stopped and gave us some directions, very nice indeed - wasn‘t enough though. We found a 7-11 to ask for directions, where they took the address from us, called the accommodation, who then arrived 5 mins later to pick us up. Great! Thai people are so nice and helpful!!!

So here we are in a town of ruins, best way to get around? Scooter… Dave and I bickered all morning about the scooter. I wanted a Tuk Tuk, but everyone (Thai people) say ‘toooo ekspensive’. So we paid $10 for the day for the scooter, the first 3 hours was spent with me in Dave’s ear.

Amelia - ‘ SLOW DOWN’

Dave - ‘ But we’re only go 10km/h, if we go any slower we’ll tip over’

Amelia - ‘ I don’t CARE, SLOW DOWN’.

Dave - ‘is 20km/h ok?’

Amelia - ‘ No and watch OUT for the tuk tuk!

Ayutthaya is full of Khmer ruins and we traveled around and saw many, which were amazing. One of the best was a lying down Buddha - a heard a man say it’s the biggest (38 meters), not sure if he meant in the world or in Thailand - so I will not confirm or deny. 

We saw lots of elephants, who are fast turning into my favourite animals, so smart and beautiful.

Bangkok - Bangkok - Death by Tuk tuk…

We took the very nice and clean train (even if we did look hilarious not knowing which direction to go, with the staff pointing and tapping on the glass) system to arrive at the main station in Bangkok. The trains are extremely clean and well run, much nicer than Melbourne. 

So we arrived in Bangkok walked a bit then jumped in a tuk tuk without any real destination. So he took us to the river, not before tried to get us to buy a suit from his mate on the way. Got off at the river, found out the river cruises were $40! So asked Mr Tuk Tuk, who was stuck behind a line of abandoned taxis, for a cheaper one, he said yes he’d take us there for 50 bht. We agreed, he backed out through about 25 meters of the traffic jam and then sped off showing off his Tuk Tuk prowess, much to my horror, I could see him he laughing in his little shiney tuk tuk rear view mirror. We arrived and thanked a god that we made it the 100 meters to the next port…which cost 50 bht… What a RIP OFF. But you haven’t been to Thailand till you’ve been ripped off and nearly killed by Tuk Tuk.

We left that night after taking a taxi from our hotel to the Main Bangkok station, of course not before experiencing half an hour of Bangkok Traffic (moving approx 1 meter every 5-6 mins).

Got to the train, bought a 3rd class ticket for approx $1 and jumped on the train. Quite old, with open windows and fans on the roof. It was an amazing way to see the outskirts of Bangkok, shanty communities with Satellite for their TV, dogs sleeping and trotting around, of course lots of rubbish and dirty water. There is also only one way to dry clothes on Thailand - 1 shirt per coat hanger, 20 of them in a row hanging from a pole, verandah, tree, car or fence.

The train took a little over an hour and half and it was comfortable with the breeze through the windows, some stops, were just designated areas, no signs or platforms. When you get off, you just jump down and walk across the tracks or jump on your boyfriends scooter with a little fluffy dog balancing it’s front paws on the handles. I really like that everything here is so easy going, there are so little rules on what you can do, you can ride your motorbike up the tracks, footpath, platform, runway, aisle, shop front anytime you like.

Dogs here look happy and well fed and ALWAYS TIRED. Always asleep on a wall, monument, platform, footpath, runway, aisle, shop front - anywhere they like.