Another early start for us Saturday morning as we headed out on another tour. This time we were heading out to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand, about an hours drive North. On route we stopped at Bang Pa-In Palace / Summer Palace one of the homes of the current king. Here where a number of royal buildings which were off limits although we were allowed in one where we got to escape into some air con to cool off, even if jill had to wrap up in a saraong to cover her ankles or knees. The place was very calm and included a large lake with a floating Pagoda in the middle, look out tower and a strange chinese style building. It was then on to the temple ruins of the ancient city, what we had really come to see. Most of the temples in the area have been destroyed because of wars with Burma. Na Phra Mane is over 1000 years old however this one was saved as the burmese army used it as their base. Crumbling old temples with remains of buddhas scattered everywhere. There was also a strange sight of a buddha head which has been surrounded by roots of a tree so that it looks like it has actually grown from the tree. Another temple we stopped at contained a Jade buddha over 1100 years old. We also came across another huge reclining budha. This one is the 3rd biggest in Thailand and was draped in a huge orange robe as it lay in the open air. From here we enjoyed a leisurely 3 hour cruise back along the river to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok city. As we sailed along we passed numerous other amazing temples along the banks of the river each one looking as grand as the next. We cannot believe just how many temples there are. Houses were sprawled all along the river some new but many made from assorted pieces of wood and metal on stilits. There was a continous procession of barges and other boats chugging along. The occasional sight of kids playing in the water and people throwing nets in to see what they could catch for lunch or dinner. The sunbaked us as we laid on the deck, escape came in the form of Happy Hour on the boat and half price Singh beer. As we got into Bangkok the heavens opened sending us inside for cover. Sunday the only way to recover after another hard days sightseeing was to shop, or at least that what Jill trys to tell me. Luckily for "us" on the weekend there is a huge outdoor market, and boy do they mean huge. 10,000 yes 10,000 stalls selling all sorts of things, all of which you know who wanted to buy. So yes we had to buy another bag today to carry it all in. I can see customs now, rubbing there hands as we try and cart it all through.