24 May

Up at 08h30, we head for 7/11 where we stock up on water and yogurt which we enjoy at the taxi rank before heading to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a monastery built in the early 1300. After the invasion by the Burmese much of the temple was destroyed but some of it still remained. The most revered sight on these ruins is the Buddha head engulfed in the roots of a tree, many postcards often show monks praying at this site with their orange garments. The story goes that the tree grew over the body of the Buddha leaving only the head exposed. We also learn that a Cheddi is the top section of the temple consisting of horizontal circles whereas a Trang consists of the top section of the temple with vertical pillars, its easier if one looks at the photos.

From here we drive far out the city over the river towards Bangkok, to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon which is still an active temple attracting many Buddhists. The story goes that the King passed away and the oldest two brothers took up arms against each other to acquire the thrown for themselves, both died on the same battle field. The younger brother then assumed the thrown after which he held a funeral for both his father and brothers and built three Cheddi's on the battlefield where the two had died.

In 1952 the cheddi's were dug out by grave robbers who stole solid gold artifacts, few of which were recovered. The government then dug out the remaining tombs and had the artifacts stored in the Ayutthaya Museum.

From here we headed back to the Island driving round it to look for one of the floating restaurants we had read about and wanting to spoil ourselves for the day. After searching for some time we came across one which was evidently a little above what we were looking for but decided to stay. I ordered wild boar while Leanne went for the safe looking beef with lemon sauce. Mine arrived and in all honesty it was the most fatty and tough pieces of meat as well as the spiciest dish we have eaten in all our stay. After waiting almost 20 minutes for Leanne's to arrive we were about to get up and walk when hers arrived, we both wish we had left earlier. Her meat was tough and tasteless, to say the least we're sticking to street markets at least you know what your getting and it tastes a lot better.
Back home we relax at the tables outside the guest house restaurant, planning the way forward before leaving for some dinner. We return for a shower, drop of the motorcycle and drive to the station to catch the 11h30 train to Chang Mai.