Ayuthaya

On our way from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, we stopped by Ayuthaya to check out the ruins.  This used to be the capital of Siam in the 1350-1760s before it was invaded by the Burmese, and is now one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.

After getting off the train, we had to take a short ferry to get to the old city.

 'Houses' along the banks

 Our 'ferry', 20 bhat (66 cents) per person.

Wat Mahathat

 The 'wrapped' buddha head in Wat Mahathat

J and I made the faux pas of posing in front of the buddha status...numerous times.

Wat Ratchaburana

 With the most intact prang, where the king's brothers were cremated.

 The prang.

Going down into the crypt.

Both of us were walking through the park with our packs on.

 

By the time we got to the 3rd ruin, the sun was ablaze.  So instead of going in, I just snapped a picture of the Wat Phra Shri Sanphet from outside the wall.  Moving along...

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is located outside the park, which meant we had to take a tuk tuk, and me watching J torment the drivers with his low ball offers.  

This is the most intact temple of all ruins.

 All the buddha heads were chopped off, a very curious thing...

J & I breezed through this UNESCO site in 2 hours.  We would have lingered a bit longer had we not have to carry our 20+lb packs.  We both agreed that it was impressive, however, still not as impressive as the ancient city of Ephesus.  On our way back to Bangkok, we took the 'snail rail' and got tickets for 3rd class sans ac.  Two tickets cost us 30 bhat ($1) for a 1 1/2 hour trip.  Where in the world can you get train tickets for 50 cents?!  Granted we didn't get a seat until half way into the ride.

Sitting on wooden benches.