SiSatchanalai
Here we are (again) in an ancient city filled with ancient temples. And I must admit it has been desired. To get there we took a bus to Lopburi and traveled about 250 km. Nothing too bad you say ... But we found a bus rather old (not to say to the dying). On the way we stopped in the middle of nowhere, the driver came down, opened the engine, and has traveled several times on the bus. Not reassuring, we still left 30 minutes later. Later, the monsoon has prevailed and our dear bus turned to water. In all this we must add all the stops for the driver or passengers buy food at the market. Total is seven hours we have spent the bus to go these unfortunates 250 km.
At the end of the tour we met a French couple who was heading the same guest house as us. We spent the evening together (dinner and cocktails).
The next day we go to Old Sukhothai (25 minute tuk-tuk from the current Sukhothai) where all the ruins are met. We focus on the central portion of the park and decide to spend the afternoon at the Guest House to search the internet to finish our journey in northern Thailand.
We finish the day finding the French couple to eat and drink.
Our second day took place in Sukhothai bike parts in the east, south and west of the park. We were able to walk in the park much wilder Ayutthaya. Here, we pass between two temples rice paddies, local houses and especially in some temple nature tends to get over it.
Before making our bikes we will have a drink (it dries to bike all day under 30 degrees). The opportunity to meet a couple of Australians who travel on a Harley Davidson motorcycle their Australian they have come by boat. Australians always surprise us.
We decide to make a detour to Si Satchanalai (another park filled with ancient temples, classified UNESCO). After two hours by bus we are at the entrance to the historic park. Once again, this bike that we will discover the temples. Both rented bikes the night before at Sukothai were fine as they remind us Ayutthaya and we fear failure. Biking R. (Decidedly, no luck with the bike) has several speeds but it is impossible to change ... And of course the speed imposed is on the smallest sprocket. We even tried to change gear manually, after two rounds of the pedal it will automatically reset to the smallest sprocket. Well, he will ride a little more.
Despite this detail we find ourselves quickly to the ruins (after crossing a bridge in Indiana Jones anyway).
And we are not disappointed to have made the journey so far as the park is very intimate, we are the only tourists, Thai we meet "work" here). In addition to the lush vegetation around the temples, we always a tree that shelters us from the sun. After an intense morning we have almost finished the tour.
We ate at a local restaurant where our table is at the riverside.
We then visit the last unexplored temple then, getting closer to our bikes we see a snake while climbing a green tree.
We stay close to bicycles, sitting in the shade when we hear a thud. A chameleon has fallen (or jumped?) Of the tree above us, even when the snake is mounted. A fall of 2 meters anyway. It seems not to have suffered from his fall, he prefers to focus on its camouflage and monitor the tree. Moments later he runs off and a second thud attracts our attention. This is the snake that was thrown in turn to continue the chameleon. In reviewing the snake climbing the same tree we deduced that it remained empty-handed. Very impressive this hunt chameleon. Especially since the snake has fallen to only a few yards away. Suffice to say that we no longer look at the trees where the grass like that.
We then took the way out, back across the Indiana Jones bridge, made the bikes and taken the bus to Sukhothai, where we will spend our last night before continuing the trek north.
The city of Ayutthaya monkeys
August 29
Departure to Lopburi, we get a "bus" on the fly. Rate tourist imposed bogus explanation of the guy "to pay for bags. Bus folk in exclusive company of Thai people drive here with open doors and windows held together with pieces of twine. About 60km, about 2 hours.
Laying luggage in a very nice Guesthouse. Me small bungalow overlooking a small garden. Lunch at the market. Surprised rain is used under umbrellas for not finishing hardened.
Lopburi is famous for its monkeys. And yes the town center is filled to the misery of the urban and happiness of the tourists. It is completely unreal, monkeys are there in hundreds. Pilfering food from humans, the swaying cables (from electrical installations on the corner, I know that the monkey should eat grilled), operating on Migration in the city center, jumping in the pickup truck, opening the taps for drinking They enliven the city that otherwise would have no interest.
visit a Hindu temple where the monkeys are rampant.
visit a temple "Gothic" shortened, it teems with stray dogs once again.
August 30
Visit Ratana Mahathat Wat Phra Si (won the support of the temple name is longer). All alone in the ruins. Very relaxing place.
study following our journey until the rain stops.
And one starts to study our cousins. A temple is constantly invaded by monkeys. Sellers of food for monkeys. Bad idea, those who buy make friends a little too aggressive. These vendors chase the monkeys using stones launches (loaded with ammunition and food). It's a crazy town that we liked.
We left Bangkok on a printing scam again, when the taxi refused to use the meter for his race and make us a preferred tourist prices. Arrived at the bus station, we looked for a bus company in particular (the safest) unfortunately, everything was written in Thai and when we asked where was our bus company, people laughed and said we could take the ticket with the company ... Even the information desk was not cooperative. We're resigned to take a company that we did not know (may be that they wanted, according to the woman at the counter was well written on our company name on the wall, except that it is impossible check as we do not read Thai). After
1:30 bus, we arrived in Ayutthaya ancient capital where many vestiges remain from the days when kings lived here. We head towards the two main ruins, Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Ratbunara where we saw the head of a Buddha literally built into a tree.
coated
We went to Thammikarat Wat, an ancient temple that looked beautiful (and decorated with roosters?) But a pack of wild dogs took possession of the place, so it was more appropriate leaving the place hurriedly.
We finish the day with a good meal in a covered market.
The second day we rented bikes to cycle through the other temples and ruins. We begin our day with breakfast at the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Then we reach the ruins of the former royal palace.
Then we realized our first elephant in the street and met our first Thai who helped us find our way without trying to sell us something. It must be admitted that away from Bangkok, people are smiling more and being less harassed to buy a costume or take a tuk tuk.
Phu Khao Tong Branch to finish the morning. It is a pagoda where, according to the Lonely Planet, we have panoramic views of Ayutthaya. So we climb. The view is beautiful although we expected a better panorama.
On the way to the pagoda, we stopped at a temple anonymous.
Lunch break fast at a market (the best place to enjoy Thai dishes along with Thai and Thai fare). We then decided to continue our tour of the ruins. Objective: 3 old temple on the other side of the river, it seems simple to the bridge ... error is the way to Bangkok! We found a bike on a highway bridge. Once past the bridge you realize it will be difficult or impossible to achieve integers to the ruins as it must continue on the highway. Turn around, there is a road a little calmer across the River. Reached the other side we find ourselves again in the middle of four lanes. We managed somehow to reach the sidewalk. Once off you realize that a bike pedal R. does very well. We are approximately 45 minutes walk from rent a bike and it's 30 degrees. We decided to try to bring the bike without fart pedal. No luck, after 10 meters R. lose the pedal on the road (which made everyone laugh at the Thais who were side), we picked it up and you realize that it is impossible to recover. R. thus ends the bike path-scooter.
We've spent a good day through Ayutthaya.
Bangkok
August 24: Change ...
9 aircraft. "Finding Nemo" and "Australia." Check 1am Bangkok airport, it is the wet season, a waterfall operates on the wing of the aircraft. Nap in the airport waiting for the sunrise.
bus to downtown. Bangkok is not Sydney, the buildings are afraid. Check Kao San area tourists, guesthouse "New Merry V". Nap again.
Looking for a backpack for the PC and trousers to Kao San. Harassed by the vendors of costumes, Tuk tuk Portfolios legs ... ... Beware of scam in this area. Price tourists. Mission accomplished for the bag but for pants, it will go elsewhere, it is as expensive as in France. But what ever ... expatriation
Restau evening near Kao San. Delicious.
August 25: Transport
Mission Pants 2. It aims MBK shopping center. We tried the traditional Tuk-Tuk. Very funny, no matter how it meanders in the chaotic traffic of this city. A good moped noise.
It brings us to transition to "Lucky Buddha". It closed hehe. Tuk Tuk fun so far, after a forced stop booking agency stay ... We go in for some fun and get out. Next stop, making costumes. Then we are left near a canal to take a "boat" to our destination. We must climb the ledge of the boat and descend walking forward on the edge of the boat. We had to go for big penguins tourists.
afternoon in the mega shopping center. 8 floors. As modern in France, big contrast with the rest of the city. Pants found. Super Japanese restaurant in the evening. Back by bus. Good old buses, strange gearbox. As the boat is jumping off the bus as it slows. Cocks plugs downtown and it's still over 30 ° C. Meeting an Australian of Alice Springs. It is frankly not impressed by Bangkok. It is literally assailed as tourists, it is very hot, traffic is horrible ...
August 26 : Day temple
Ballad Lonely Planet near the temples. Target: the Grand Palace. But on the road, while the Thais say it's closed and we advise to choose a cruise or going to the Lucky Buddha. They are very friendly to us advice ^ ^ Except that the Grand Palace is open and they want us to spend our sub otherwise. If a Thai approach you is not knocking the discussion. Hopefully this will be different outside Bangkok.
visit the Grand Palace. Temple complex and former government buildings. Wonderful architecture, it shines, assorted colors. Excellent.
Judgement in other temples including one with the largest collection of Buddha.
Visit a popular street of Bangkok slum above the river ... We are far from standard French or Australian life.
Crossing the Chao Praya River. The boat is more for tourists than the canals. Visit Wat Arun Khmer influence. Superb views over the city. Back on the other side. Small glass top of a terrace overlooking Wat Arun. Sunset and illumination of the temples.
Meal in the street, delicious again (there also is different from Australia). Heavy downpour at the end of the meal. It's a real shower that came without warning.
Excellent day, Bangkok has shown us a better face.
