Took a 2.5 hours train ride from Hua Lamphong Railway Station (accessible via Hua Lamphong MRT) and arrived at the quaint little town of Ayutthaya where we rented some bicycles. Hopped onto the ferry to cross the river and visited the ruins and elephants.

Train ride from Bangkok to Ayutthaya

Stumbled upon some semi-wild elephants

On my last weekend in Thailand, we took a bus from Bangkok to Hua Hin – very touristy area with lots of gogo bars. Clean beaches with relatively clear waters spotting an occasional jellyfish. It was quiet due to the lull period and we managed to get a guesthouse for 500baht a night instead of 800baht, complete with air-conditioning, fridge, TV and heated shower. 都說我愛小巷了。

View of Hua Hin from Hilton

Beach boys

Friendly monks who stopped for a picture

Dog with a brow

Sharing food

Nick digging for his juggling balls

Sunrise or sunset, I forgot

3 things: Cash, Sunscreen and a Cap.

You can’t hide from the sun unless you’re shopping indoors (and they have a few good ones too).  Asian countries like Thailand and Singapore have high humidity levels so you’ll perspire easily. Oh, and wear your most comfy pair of sneakers or slippers.

River boat with Kenji's Olympus Trip 500

Note to self: Beer and KTV the night before + 3 hours of sleep later, still looking fresh! Lol!

Take a ride along the Chao Phraya River

Lazy afternoon

Buy a One-Day Pass from BTS to take the Sky Train to Saphan Taksin station and transfer to the Chao Phraya Express Boat. Drop at stop 9 instead of 8 and walk to Wat Pho (to see the HUGE reclining Buddha) because there’s an interesting flea market en route selling lots of amulets and nick-nacks (Kenji and I “discovered” it because we missed a stop with me dozing peacefully). I spied another tourist eying a pair of vintage, pirate’s telescope that I’d love to own (just so you’ll know what treasures you may find)!

Alm bowls at Wat Pho

Monks at Wat Arun

You’ll need to take the river boat to cross the river and get to Wat Arun. Magnificent temple with steps so steep, my knees turned jelly when I was descending. It was quite fun to climb and picturesque too! Ladies: please don’t wear skirts unless you’d like to showcase your panties, and don’t wear stuff that’s too revealing or you’ll need to rent a shawl.

Khao San Road

Last stop, take the boat to Khao San and forget you’re in Asia because in this ghetto for backpackers, it’s like 95% non-Asians. Littered with backpackers’ inns and bars, I swore I’d re-visit Bangkok just to chill here with a book in one hand and an ice-cold beer in another.

Related links:
Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS)
Chao Phraya Express Boat
Wat Pho
Wat Arun
Khao San Road