I am a Backpack Panda: Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, Ayutthaya and River Cruise

I've been wanting to visit Ayutthaya because it is a UNESCO Site and that is just near Bangkok. I am not really sure how could I do the DIY travel from Bangkok though. A lot of people would recommend to go on bike but I do not know how to use a bike. (Or I haven't tried it again after so many decades.) Then I stumbled upon Backpack Panda, a travel agency based in BKK. I contacted Seth, a Filipino based in Bangkok who is part of BP and he asked me if we could go to his place because we needed to book it asap since we were planning to go the next day. I am not really sure how the tour would go as long as I see Ayutthaya then I am okay. I am not also sure with Madhs if she would really like to visit Ayutthaya but she told me it's fine. (Of course, I am her Ate. Maybe she can do nothing about it?)

That time my sister in law, Camille, is also in Bangkok but she were in a different place and different set of friends so I asked her if she would like to do the tour. We met when we met Seth. Unfortunately during the tour they have different bus so I did not get to talk to her that much. 

Backpack Panda

Seth Encina 

Address : Ekkamai 12 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone: 099 495 4501

Bang Pa- In Royal Palace

Address:  ถนนปราสาททอง, ตำบลบ้านเลน อำเภอบางปะอิน พระนครศรีอยุธยา, 13160 Thailand

Phone: +66 35 261 044 

Open : 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Fee: 100 Baht

The first stop is the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. It is a courtyard of the royal family. This palace is located in Bang Pa-In district which is 60 kilometers away from Bangkok. It is also known "The Summer Palace".

Varobhas Bimarn Residence

It has a vast space with a European architecture. Madhs and I went inside the Varobhas Birmarn Residence but were not allowed to take photos. It has a throne, dining room and sitting room. Oh, by the way, you need to wear a sarong provided outside the building before you enter. 

Ho Withun Thasana

Aside from Varobhas Birmarn Residence, there are a lot that you could see inside the Bang Pa-In Palace. Everything is picture perfect. Madhs and I could not stop ourselves from taking pictures from all angles. 

Some of the buildings that you will see inside are Wehart Chamrunt, this is also called Heavenly Light, a Chinese residence. Warophat Phiman or Excellent and Shining Heavenly Abode is the official residence for the royalties. There is also this lighthouse that you can climb the stairs all the way at the top to see the entire area. It's called Ho Withun Thasana or Sages' Lookout.

Lake Pavillion and Palace Building

To be honest, I haven't heard of this place before and to discover a new place is something really nice. Especially if that place is beautiful. The European style already made me feel kilig all the time. And because this was a tour we were well-informed of course. Thanks to our tour guide for bombarding us with details. 

This is just the start and we were already amazed. 

Bridge

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya / Ayuthaya/ Ayodhaya either or can be used as long as you are pronouncing it right. It was the ancient capital of Thailand and now part of UNESCO Heritage Site. (That's why I went there.) There are many temples around these city. Most of them are already part of the ruins from the Burmese attack in 1767.  

We were not able to visit all of these ruins because they were plenty but you will see some of it when you drive around the area. We were able to stop by some of the important places. So here goes: 

Wat Phra Mahathat

Address : Tha Wa Su Kri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, 

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand

Phone :  +66 83 004 0423

  

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Among the places that we've seen this is my favorite. The red bricks and Buddha relics are really magnificent for people who are really into ancient places. If you are an old soul like me I know you will love this place. 

I can never go wrong with UNESCO they are making my travel so easy to decide as these are the places that I really want to go to. There is so much history that you can see here and when I sometimes read about it either before or after experiencing to go to these places and breath in these places makes my heart smiles. 

I am not really sure how many temples are there but there were like many that I could not describe and I think I forgot. (",) You know, there are many temples in Bangkok that shine glitters and gold but in Ayutthaya there are many temples that's old but I would love remembering. 

Wat Na Phra Men 

Address : Khlong Sa Bua, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, 

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand

Phone : + 66 35 328 709

This temple has a bronze Buddha and one of the few temples that survived during the Burmese attack in 1767.

Wat Lokayasutharam

This was our last stop in Ayutthaya district. I would love to see the reclining Buddha and so I was really elated. This Buddha looks like sleeping and it is covered with orange cloth. 

Bangkok's River Cruise

Seth told us that there was a cruise at the end of the tour. But I am not sure what cruise was he was referring. I remember the first time I went here and we did the floating market in Bangkok. At the end of that trip there was a boat ride around the fishing village. I was not sure if it's something like that. 

I never thought that it was as grand like this. Cruising the Chao Phraya River was exhilarating. I never thought. It was this tour that made my view about Bangkok changed - I never thought. 

The view from the deck was exceptional. The buildings, temples, bridges and houses these are all what you will see and these were all blessings. 

   

And I saw my sister in law when we were having a buffet. It was short but remarkable. It was nice seeing friends coming from the Philippines. It was like part of you becoming whole again and celebrating from a different place is like : "I am really glad you are here today with me. "

"It was simple meeting but very lovely Cams. I am glad you were also there." 

Another way of viewing Temple of Dawn is through this cruise. 

I am sorry Bangkok for judging you that easily. It has been four years since I've visited you and my views has already been changed. The cruise made me realized how beautiful you are. See you again next time. 

Thank you Backpack Panda for this wonderful tour. I could not imagine how good it was. 

We ended the day with a smile.