{To the city of Ancient Ruins and wild dogs}
October 2016
Transportation in Thailand can be amazing and overwhelming at the same time. Especially when we had just went through the process of picking up our lives in America, and moving to Thailand to teach English. A full three days of fighting jet lag, setting up our lives in Bangkok, and taking care of visas/paperwork for working at the school, deserved an opportunity to get out and explore the new country we would be calling home.
From Bangkok, you are just one taxi, two sky trains, one underground train, one railroad train, and one water taxi away, and you have made it to the city of Ayutthaya!
Who knew you could take so many modes of transport to get to a destination, Hey?
But what a perfect way to spend the weekend!
No need to sign up for an expensive tour to see the ruins, instead grab a bike for the day, leave the busy street corners, and pedal to the center of the town for a full day of exploring around (Just watch out for cars, tuk tuks, and elephants). Remember that if it is bigger than you, it has the right-a-way.
Biking around the ruins was such a fun way to sight see, and to avoid getting stuck in big crowed tour groups. Plus, you get some good exercise and can go at your own pace.
Brilliantly colored red brick ruins against the background of lush green plants and a painted cloudy sky. Each ancient temple had something different to offer. Each was unique, beautiful and so peacefully quiet. In between each ruin was beautifully paved pathways with bridges, ponds, and abundant greenery to ride your bike along.
An interesting added feature to many of the temples, was the packs of wild dogs. Suzelle really loved this added feature because she was missing her puppies at home. So there may have been a lot of photos taken of dogs.
You may even be lucky enough to get caught in a rainstorm in the middle of a hot day to help cool you down.
This will be the only time you see a Zelley enjoying a rainstorm. Warm rain is the best! The loud thunder and lightening that occurred simultaneously next to your head, however, was a little scary. But Nick, born and raised in Michigan, loved hearing the storms that reminded him of home.
Then if jet lag allows you to, stay up in time to visit the night market where you will find a smorgasbord of delicious street food that awaits you!
You may not know what you are eating, but it is always served with a friendly smile. Just pile yourself into the crowded center and get herded through all of the carts of food. Maybe one day we will try the cooked bugs.
Sore butts, aching feet, and tired bodies meant that we had a full and fun weekend of exploring.
Go take time to enjoy this beautiful world we live in, create an adventure of your own, smile at a stranger, spread love to those around you, and always leave a place better than you find it.
Love, The Grays.
Big Request: Please Do Not support the Elephant riding in Ayutthaya. The Elephants are kept in small enclosures, forced to wear heavy metal chairs, trained with big bullhooks, and have to walk around on hot pavement all day. These animals were never meant to be treated this way. If you want an elephant experience, go with an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, or Kanchanaburi, where the elephants have free roam of the country side, are well taken care of, have no chains or enclosures, and are not subjected to inhumane bullhooks for training.
#thegrayadventure 