Day 8 & 9 - Bangkok & Ayuthaya

Day 8 Bangkok

We reached Bangkok from around 1230pm using private van and cost 200Baht and 2 hours, rather than bus or train which cost cheaper but take around 3-4hours. Upon arrived, we checked in and and wait for other 2 friends from the airport at Pratunam Centre.

We start our tour with Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace (admission fee 350Baht but worthy), was build in 1782, houses the most important Emerald Buddha, with more than 100 buildings, gold painting of the Thai’s histories and legends. The Grand Palace comprises Borombhiman Hall (French style building), Amarindra Hall (coronation ceremonies hall), Chakri Mahaprasat (with some Chinese and Italian style building), Dusit Hall and many more. Please note that the King has new palace to stay near Dusit Park, or known as Chitlada Palace.

After that, we wrongly took tourist tuk-tuk, and visited few souvenir shops, and we asked him to send us to other attractions including, Wat Pho (largest reclining Buddha), by-pass Wat Arun (temple of dawn), Wat Phrachetuphan (royal monastery) and end the night with Pat Pong night market, dinner at Mango Tree (people talking about this place in internet but not as good as review said) and meet Sze Ye’s friend at Mcdonald near Pat Pong.

Day 9 Ayuthaya

We took a private van from Bangkok – Victory Station to Ayuthaya. No worries on it as there are plenty of private van going out of Bangkok. Upon arrived, we decided to hire a tuk-tuk to bring us around the attractions (note that it is quite waste of time if we use public transport).

After breakfast, we proceed to visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet (built in 14^th century, contained 16-m high standing Buddha, covered in 250kg of gold but melted down by Burmese king), Wihaan Mongkhon Bophit (houses Thai’s biggest bronze Buddha), Wat Phra Mahathat (built 1374, where Buddha head embedded in a tree’s maze of roots), Phu Khao Thong (chedi with 79 steps up, known as Golden Monument, with view of the city) and other wats like Wihaan Phraphutthasaiyat (reclining Buddha image) and Phra Chedi Chaimongkhon (memorial for the victory of King Maha Upracha of Burma).

We only limited time to visit old city of Ayuthaya, and there are still many places to visit outside of the city, including Portuguese Settlement, Japanese Village, Queen Suriyothai Memorial Park and etc. well, have to postpone to our next visit (do not when will that be la). At least we have visited most of the must-visit places in Ayuthaya la….=)

We travelled back to Bangkok using the private van also (1.5 hours and 150-180Baht). We stopped at Khao San Road (must-visit place where all tourist, mainly westerners gather here, selling cheap t-shirt, cds, wooden made things etc.

Day 7 Kanachanburi

It was long journey between Lopburi to Kanachanburi as we need to exchange buses between cities to get through our destination. But, that is what begpacking means, to travel by foot (not the luxury ways), to experience the true life style of the locals, and to eat as they ate.

We depart from Lopburi at 1030am and reached Kanachanburi around 400pm. After checked in at our guest house (cost 250Baht per night, no air-con, of course), we spend some time walking and discovering the town, the railway station, the Allied War Cemetery. We suppose to visit the WWII war museum, but kind of lost and the museum was closed after 500pm. And the worst thing was, its starting to rain, and there goes our night market foods near the railway station.

The next morning, we decided to engage local tour to visit the attractions in Kanachanburi. Please note that most of Kanachanburi’s attractions were located outside of the town area and if you use public transport, it will take a lot of time just waiting of the buses.

As for the tour (I think cost around 800Baht per person, inclusive lunch, transport and entrance fees), we start with elephant riding and river bamboo racket trip along the River Kwai. Then, we head to Erawan National Park for our lunch, proceed to Hellfire Pass Memorial or the famous Death Railway (railway constructed half-way during WWII by war’s prisoners) and Sai Yok Noi waterfall.

Our last stop was Thamkra Sae Train Station, where the Death Railway (part of it) located and it was at the hill side, above the river Kwai. From there, we take the train to Nam Tok, just to view the hill side train view.

please visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=255946&id=711537087 for more photos.

Day 5 & 6 - Phitsanulok & Lopburi

Day 5 & 6 Phitsanulok & Lopburi

Some photos during our journey via train…

We still have some time before our train depart and we decided to visit Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat or Wat Yai (by the local), houses the Phra Phutha Chinnarat, one of Thailand’s second most important other that the emerald Buddha in Bangkok, the famous bronze statue(painted in gold).

After that, we travel to Lopburi via train and arrived around 400pm. Since there was still some sun light around, we have decided to pay a visit to nearby attractions including, Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat (having similar name with other wats, but it was the town’s largest monastery and makes a good photo opportunity), Wat Nakhon Kosa, Prang Sam Yot etc.

At night, of course, we walked around the night market for some local foods.

The next morning, we wanted to visit Phra Narai Ratchaniwet (former royal palace or lopburi museum), but the place was closed on every Monday and Tuesday (admission fee is 150Baht). Then we go to their morning market (selling fresh ingredients etc) and breakfast…

We head early for long hour journey. First we travel via local bus to Suphanburi (65Baht around 3 hours) to Singburi and pass by Ang Thong. Then continue via bus also to Kanachaburi (50Baht around 2-3 hours).

please visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=255942&id=711537087 for more photos.

Day 4 - Sukhothai

Day 4 – Sukhothai

Sukhothai (also known as Rising of Happiness) was known as golden age of Thai civilization from the aspect of religious art and architecture. I think if you travel to Thailand, this is one of the must visit in Thailand, the Sukhothai Historical Park (admission between 100 – 350Baht from 600am to 6pm daily). The park divided into 5 section, centre section, north gate, west gate, south gate and east gate. All the Wats are divided into this 5 sections and required at least one day to visit all. The best way to discover the park is using bicycle. You may use tuk-tuk but will cost around 400Baht for 3-4 hours plus the vehicle entrance fees for each section.

Sukhothai is divided into new city and old city, old city is where the historical park located. I think photos will explain better than words, in short, must-visit places are Wat Mahathat (largest temple built in 13^th century), Wat Si Chum, Wat Saphan Hin (stone bridge), Wat Si Sawai, Wat Sa Si (sarced pond monastery), Wat Chang Lom (elephant circled monastery) etc.

From here, we go to Phitsanulok by bus (60Baht around 1 hour journey) and by train to Lopburi (170Baht around 4-5hours).

Please visit here http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=255936&id=711537087 for more photos of Sukhothai.

Day 3 - Chiang Mai Old Town

Day 3 Chiang Mai Old City Tour

My friend joined me this morning to visit old city area and first stop was Wat Phra Singh, fame because houses most revered Buddha image, Phra Singh (Lion Buddha). However, only local and Buddhist can enter the temple, the Phra Singh is housed in Wihan Lai Kham, a small chapel at the rear of the temple grounds next to the chedi.

We also visited other wats, including Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chiang Man and few more along the way. We travelled by foot and it is the best way to visit most important wats in old city. For most of the wats, donation appreciated depend on individual.

After that, we passed by Three Kings Monument, which commemorates the alliance forged between three northern Thai-Loa kings in the founding of Chiang Mai. Then, of course, city walls surrounding old city of Chiang Mai, and we can climb up to the top of the wall, with the view of the city. The city walls are divided around the city and only some part of the original walls left now.

We checked out from the guesthouse, go to the Chiang Mai Arcade Terminal to proceed to Sukhothai. We continue our journey to southern part, Sukhothai by taking bus, the journey around 250Baht and 5-6 hours.

Thailand Day 1 at Ching Mai, Phrea & Lampang

Day 1 @ Chiang Mai (Part 2) & Day 2 @ Phrea + Lampang

After visited Doi Suthep, i took the red tuk-tuk back to downtown Chiang Mai, and then hopped on a day tour tuk tuk to cultural village and elephant camp. The scenic at the cultural village was great because it was windy with cloudy weather, just cozy to pay a visit and look around the village, of course the entrance fees is above average, cost Baht 500 (personally I do not think its worthy). Only the upper part of the of the village have the long neck hill-tribe and the lower part of the village consists for the majority tribe in northern Thailand.

After that, the elephant camp in Mae Sa valley (located around 25 mins drive from the cultural village). I was in the right time visiting the elephant camp as they were having their bath and "long call" in the river bank (trust me, i dont want to be in the river while the elephant having their "long call")... And without notice, my camera went out of battery and i can not take any picture of the elephant while they having their world cup game....

On second day, I traveled to Phrea (3 hours bus ride from Chiang Mai) and Lampang (2 hours bud ride from Ching Mai)... and it was a bored journey as i was travelling alone...=< ... Phrae province is famous for the distinctive sêua mâw hâwm, the indigo-dyed cotton farmer’s shirt seen all over Thailand, even Thai university professors like to wear them.

Wat Luang is one of the oldest Wats believed to be contemporary with the city of Phrae and a museum where Phrae's antiques are collected. Phrae and Lampang were famous with Lanna Thai designs either on their Wats, buildings, culture and it is a bit different with those in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. However, time passed and it was a bit late for me to visit Lampang. So, i stopped at Lampang bus station and head back to Chiang Mai as the last bus was at 200pm (from Phrae) and 400pm (from Lampang).

Please visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=233873&id=711537087 for more photos.

Thailand Day 1 at Ching Mai

DAY 1 @ CHIANG MAI (PART 1)

I have wanted to start my backpacking journey for so long and finally i did it. I always have this dream that maybe some day i can take my bag and some clothes and just that and go for a trip... casually and easy and does not bother anything. Forget all the burdens, either works, families, friends etc. Just do what i wanted and follow my what the heart felt right to do. Thus, backpacking in Thailand is my first destination... SO I started my trip by visiting Chiang Mai and begin with area around Chiang Mai and leave the city tour till my friend join me a days later. hehe...=>

This photo taken is the staircase up to the Doi Suthep... where we can view all the Chiang Mai city from above. I just engaged a red colour tuk-tuk (like mini van/car) and cost me 65 Baht to go up and its the cheapest way to travel up here. And the temple was amazing... it is one of the must visit place in Chiang Mai.

The original founding of the temple remains a legend and there are a few varied versions. The temple is said to have been founded in 1383 when the first chedi was built. Over time the temple has expanded, and been made to look more extravagant with many more holy shrines added. A road to the temple was first built in 1935.

Only shame was that it was wrong timing to visit the temple as they undergone renovation before prayer season. But it was still an eye opening to visit the temple..... plus if you come with your loved one, you can donate a get a wing bell just like in the photo, make a wish for long lasting relationship and hang it surrounding the temple....

And also its White elephant's legend which said to have climbed up Doi Suthep (at the time called Doi Aoy Chang - Sugar Elephant Mountain), trumpeted three times before dying at the site. The white elephant was carried ancient relic of the Buddha. Thus, it was interpreted as a sign and the King of Chiang Mai (at that time) ordered the construction of a temple at the site.

Please visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=233873&id=711537087 for more photos and details.