A Splendid River Trip (Ayuthaya)

Member Name: petehall

Product:	Ayuthaya
Date:	05/04/02 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A major historic site, magnificent ruins, luxurious cruise ship

Disadvantages: None

The Summer Palace, Ayuthaya and all points in between can be visited by luxury cruise along the Chao Phraya river. You can book the trip from the jetty of the Oriental Hotel, which involves a river trip in one direction and coach the other. You choose whether to go or return by boat, we did the latter.

We had a fairly troublesome outward journey as the coach broke down just after leaving the Bangkok suburbs. We pulled into what appeared to be a scrap yard but was actually the coach depot, and spent the best part of an hour there whilst the driver and another guy canibalised one of the luxury junk heaps to repair our coach. Once on the road again the driver made up at least some of the time and whilst I guess we missed at least some of the sights out, we still saw plenty of the ancient city of Ayuthaya. The ruins were most impressive but many of the newer Wats (temples) that we visited we equally so. I most enjoyed the Summer Palace and was glad that we opted to return by river. The cruise ship genuinely was luxurient and there was plenty of chance to relax and sip drinks for those who wanted, and fantastic photo oportunities for those who preferred to watch the world go by. This far out of Bangkok, you knew that what you were seeing was genuine Thai peasant life.

We arrived back at the Oriental in time for a nap before going out for dinner. A great day at a very reasonable price.

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