Ayutthaya

Buddha head at Wat Mahathat

We took a 2 hour train from Bangkok (3rd class 50 baht or $2nzd for our family of 5) to travel to Ayutthaya - Thailand's ancient capital which fell in 1767 after Burmese attack. Here we stayed at Baan Are Gong Riverside Homestay for 2 nights. To get to the historical centre you can either catch a boat across the river or a tuk tuk over the bridge. The hosts were lovely and the kids spent lots of time playing with their dog and the host's young daughter.

We toured the ruins by tuk tuk and the girls were taught how to pray to Buddha using candles, incense and lotus flowers.

A few Chang beers on Christmas Day for us and a Thai style ice cream sundae for the kids and of course

delicious food at the night market. NEXT STOP: Overnight train to Chiang Mai!