A trip around Chiang Mai

Because it was the start of Songkran, the guys decided to head out for a walking tour around the city. We got into the old part of the city and started walking along the sunday walking market when some little kids sprayed water over all of us. It was nice to cool my stuffing down.
We headed to Wat Chiang Man, the oldest wat in the city walls. it was built all the way back in 1926! Thats REALLY old (like Becky)! But it didn't look it though (nor does Becky). I don't understand how it can be so old but not look it? These things puzzle small bears like me you know!

We weaved along streets until we reached a statue. It was of three kings. I have no idea who they where though.

It was then onto another Wat. This one was really big it had loads of buildings in the ground, and there was a mini market selling food. There were loads of monks here too. This must be where they all hide. Wat Phara Singh is the main point for Songkran. Thankfully it was the day before Songkran started, so we didn't get wet there.

They did try and charge foreigners to go into the wat. But because Simon needed the loo again, Becky spotted a side enterance and we didnt have to pay! Inside was really amzing - there were loads of people inside watching the monks and it was full of gold Buddhas too. The monks didn't even blink! How amazing is that!

On the way back we stopped off at one last Wat. This one was wooden and was called Wat Phan Tao. It was here that for some reason the other two stood outside working out what days of the week they were born on. Strange people!

On the way back we got a bit wet again, but it was all good fun.

it's old, very very old!

Ayutthaya is the ancient capital city of Thailand! After the train and another tuk tuk driver who wanted too much money, we arrived at the guesthouse. It was very nice, right in the middle of all the 'island'. We are surrounded by a river.
After Becky had a snooze, we all headed out; at the end of the road was our first ruin to see. This one is called Wat Ratchaburana. The others have to pay 50b each to go in, but I dont have to as I hid in Beckys bag, haha!

It is very nice to see the ruins. There are all these statues without heads and all the buildings are falling apart. Apparently this was caused by a fire and some not very nice people. Once upon a time the tops used to be coated in gold. It must have looked amazing all those years ago. The guys went down these really steep stairs to see something, what ever it was they said it was amazing. I just about got a glimpse out of Beckys bag as she got her camera out. It was very dark down there, so didn't see much!

After the guys had a long look around and saw some elephants walking down the street we headed back to the guesthouse before dinner.

I get forgotton about and go hungry for the night but today is a new day and into the bag I go again!

The guys go across the road to another Wat (thats a temple to you and me). This one is even cooler than yesterdays. There is a head of one of the statues in some tree roots. No one is too sure how it got there though.

There is a really big pile of bricks in the middle. It was a Prang but it burnt down.

We then went off for a really long walk to the information center where the other two watched a video. It was really hot out there, so it was nice to be in the A/C. I would have liked to have seen the film too, but they didn't let me out the bag. It's not fair at times being me.

The guys then tried to find the Ancient Palace but with no luck. They did find the Wat Phra Si Sunphet. But because it was not the palace they walked off not wanting to pay for something they did not want to see. Around the corner they came across the side entrance to the Wat and they walked in, so got away with not paying! naughty people!  

We did not spend too long here because there were renovation works going on. So the guys were soon heading back to the guesthouse for lunch. It was so hot, it was nice to finally get out the bag. The guys had lunch and as soon as they had finished the clouds came in and there was thunder too. I didn't like it and I was soon back in my bag, safe and sound.