Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a very popular tourist spot in Thailand and an easy day trip from Bangkok. My girlfriend Prang and I decided to stay overnight and spend the weekend exploring the temples and other sights of the city. Leaving Chachoengsao we caught a minivan to Bangkok and then another to Ayutthaya. I am still unsure if any of the van drivers in this country actually know how to drive as the journey is never comfortable.
Making it to Ayutthaya we checked into a hotel then found our way to the floating market. Thailand is full of floating markets and they are all very touristy and this was no exception. It was clean and well maintained and not to crowded so I quite enjoyed it.
The following morning we found a tuk-tuk driver who would take us to visit the temples and wait while we explored then collect us again and take us to the next one. The temples in Ayutthaya are impressive and there is obvious reason why it is such a popular tourist destination. Having visited three of the most popular temples I also wanted to go see some elephants. The driver dropped us at the elephant kraal pavilion and we met some of the elephants which are looked after in the enclosure behind.
It was the highlight of the trip. One of the very young elephants was chasing Prang around trying to get her bananas. All the elephants seemed well looked after. They are an impressive animal.
Our last temple stop in Ayutthaya was Wat Mahathat, they temple which is where you can see the ancient Buddha head engulfed in the roots of the tree.
This temple seemed to be the worst affected by the devistating floods of late last year which submerged most of the city which is actually located on an island.
Prang and I decided the most comfortable ride back to Chachoengsao was to catch the train. Although it is a little slower than the vans I enjoyed sitting beside the open window watching the Thailand countryside pass by.