http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_(city)
On Tuesday Mint's driver picked us up and we went to what used to be the biggest city in Thailand.
The first place we went was the Fifth King's home, well one of them. Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, also known as the Summer Palace. It was very Western. Manicured gardens and serene ponds.
http://manonthelam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Bang-Pa-In-Palace-Ayutthaya-Thailand.jpg
We then had lunch at a delicious restaurant on the river. We always let Mint order, it turned out well.
Finally we went to see the elephants!! It was something I had been desperate to do as soon as I booked the flight to Bangkok.
It's a controversial issue as of course we can't be positive that these elephants are truly happy. But Mint said that of the touristy places she thinks this is one of the best that we went to. Each elephant (and there were over 100 apparently) had a personal trainer, and it takes 6 years to become a trainer.
I sat on an Elephants crossed legs and it wrapped it's trunk around me for a picture. How touristy does it get? Still, I love the picture.
Sheena and I then took a 7 minute ride on an umbrella bench while the trainer steered. It was fine, quite bumpy, I wouldn't have enjoyed it for much longer.
We then went to various older temples.
Our next stop is Wat Phra Maha Trat – site of one of the most photographed icons in all of Thailand – the Buddha head engulfed in the roots of a banyan tree. This was interesting because all of the Buddha's heads were cut off when the Burmese had invaded to take them back to Burma. This particular head, was probably to heavy and was left behind.
We also went to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, but it wasn't much to me.
We went to two other temples but I cannot remember their names. One had many Buddha's and the other was ancient and beautiful.
That evening we fell asleep pretty early. Ordered in some Indian food and chilled. Good times.
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