Couple  minute after, I jumped out from the car. A 'ship monument' greeted me.

"This is the boat  that brought the refugees from Vietnam to here," I heard somebody explaining about the ship to his friends. It's not a big boat, I guess. But, from the blogs I've read before, this boat was used to carry 40-100 people for months. I just can't imagine how the situation is.

I don't know the meaning of it. At the left side of this church there was a statue: Mother Mary statue. 

The Church

Besides church and the boat, there were some spots that can give us clear image of the situation here back then. There were a hospital, a jail, grave, even barrack. Everything was built from woods. Except the grave, of course. 

Bugis Market, who doesn't know about this market? For shopaholic this market absolutely would be their playground. If you want to buy souvenirs, you can find it here. Cheap boots? You can have it for under s$ 25. Clothes? Some local cuisines? Accessories? Just explore the market and you will find those stuff here. 

Well, probably I can say that Bugis market is the real paradise for shopaholic. 

Unlike with its neighbor - the Bugis Junction Mall - the stuff price is cheaper here. Some shops give us fix price while others allow us to make a bargain.

My journey to Bugis Market began on the last day of my trip. Singapore was really hot at that time. But on behalf of souvenirs for my friends and colleague and cheap stuff for me, I had to go to Bugis Market and bought all the stuff that I need in there. First I came to souvenir shop. I bought some key holders and magnetic accessories. It was quite cheap. I forgot what the price was but it seemed they gave me good price.

After I finished with souvenirs, I found a shoe shop and I got boots for S$ 20 each (and after two year the boots are still in good condition!). I also got a blouse for S$ 10 only. My friend got so many accessories like charm bracelets, watches, sunglasses, rings, and earrings in very good price. 

After bought a lot of things there, I bought a glass of longans in a syrup with ice. Standing in the front of a shop, I drank it and finished it immidiately. I still bought some stuff after it and stopped shopping when I found that I didn't have any money left in my wallet.

And yes, I recommend this place for shopping. It's not such a cozy place for shopping but I guarantee thay you will get a lot of things in a good price. I suggest to wear comfort clothes, flip flop or flat shoes, and of course money! I don't see any atm machine around here. And it seems you can only pay by cash.

Bugis Market is easy to reach. Just take the mrt to Bugis station and then follow the direction in the station to Bugis Market.

Happy shopping!!!

Plaosan Lor, is a temple near Prambanan. Located in the east-north side of Prambanan, this temple was officially became my favorite one since the first time I came here and heard about the romantic story of the temple. 

This temple was built by a king from Sanjaya Dynasty. The king's name was Rakai Pikatan. She married to Pramodhawardhani, a daughter of Samaratungga from Syailendra Dynasty. Rakai Pikatan was Hindu while Pramodhawardhani was a Buddhist. Rakai Pikatan adored and loved his wife very much. According to several sources, Rakai Pikatan built Plaosan Lor temple as a gift for her wife. Although he is Hindu, he built Buddhist's temple to proved his love to his wife. For me, It is such a romantic love story. Although his wife has a different religion but it doesn't mean that a marriage can not last forever. 

After I finished my lunch, I walked around and found the Bodhi tree. From its appearance I can say that this is an old tree. The tree was twisting the stones. The Bodhi tree side is also my favorite. Just try to capture some photos here. The temple looks beautiful from here.

Not far from the Bodhi tree, there was a Mandhapa - an open 'stage' made from stone with many Buddha statues  that suround it. Almost of the statues at Mandhapa had lost their head. From the story that had been told by the security officer, there was a theft - Buddha's head theft - that had occured about several years ago here. And eventhough some of the heads had been found but they didn't join the head with the body.  

Based on the local guide explanation and the reliefs at this temple, I made a conclusion that this temple is more than just a temple that exploits about sex . This temple, wanted to teach the Hindu community  that sex as the element of purusharta that closest to moksha.  So, it must be sacred ! Yes , through this temple , the Hindus in particular taught to see sex as something sacred !

After almost 2 hrs trip by train from Bangkok, biking combined with hot weathers actually was not good idea. But, well... The only cheapest option to explore Ayyuthayya was by bike. Only 40 baht a day! But as soon as I met with the temples, the hot weather wasn't my problem anymore.

Temples in Ayyuthayya remind me with the one of heritage site in Java, Trowulan. Here, all temples can be described as mega structures. They were big, made from bricks, some were under reconstruction while the others were only ruins. 

The man from the bike rental gave me Ayyuthayya map. I found that Ayyuthayya had so many temples. And it was not possible for me to visited all the temples in one day. No...in half day. I had to go back to Bangkok at 4 pm. So, for my half day tour, I just visitide 4 temples/sites. 

The second day, I visited the palace, and..once again...some temples. The marble temple is my favorite. Not because of the temple but...it because of the garden. I spend half hour in a gazebo reading a book and listening to my iPod and eating papaya which i bought from the fruit seller outside the temple. 

So, I guess Saigon is one of the perfect place for pre wedding photo session.

When I asked the pre wedding photographer, he said that the old buildings of Saigon usually become the favorite place for pre wedding photo session. Post office and Ho Chi Minh Museum are the most favorite place. 

But Saigon City Hall and Saigon Opera House are perfect for pre wedding too!

Less than 5 mins I saw a lot of street vendors selling foods. Pork, fruits, snacks, and my favorite....sea food! And in a minute I brought 3 plates full of scallop with sour chili sauce. 3 plates for me only! Yeah, I was starving!! I bought it for 150 baht! 

After finished with scallops I had to figure out: where is the floating market. Well, I'm not a well-prepared traveler. All I know is how to get in to Amphawa from Bangkok and how to go back to Bangkok from Amphawa. So I followed people.

I kept walking till I found a super crowded market. Everybody were here I guess. Most vendors offered local foods or beverages while some vendors, not much, offered religion stuff.

Not far from the market there was a bridge. Super crowded also! But many people were taking photos there. I walked to the bridge and when I stood right in the top of the bridge, I found what I was looking for. The floating market! 

After down the bridge,I turned to the left, and walked at the riverside. This side was crowded too! People sat at the riverside and bought foods. Some Amphawa boys played, running around, but next second they changed their part: from the ordinary boys turned into waiters for the vendors. Yes! They served foods that has been ordered by the tourists.

The riverside, the old shop house, and the tourists

The Amphawa boy a.ka the waiter

I sat at the riverside and drank the coconut. Amphawa's wheater is hot.  Two coconuts finally make me fresh again.
Next to me there was a lady who sells boat trip ticket. The fireflies boat trip costs 60 baht and start after 6 pm. The 50 baht boat trip is a trip to four or five temples at Amphawa. Because I must go back to Bangkok before 7 pm, so it was impossible for me to take the fireflies boat trip. Although most traveleres recommended fireflies boat trip. So I took the 50 baht boat trip.
Lucky me, this lady couldn't speak English. I didn't understand what she said, and so did she. I gave hr 50 bath and said that I want to take boat trip. I pointed to the picture at her desk but she still talking in Thai language. Nearly desperated, a local girl offered me to be my translator. I agreed. So, she started explain to the ticket lady and in a few sec the ticket is in my hand.

"Thank's" I thanked to her.

"It's okay! Have a nice trip," she answered and smiled at me. And then she told me to go to the 'dock' where the boat is. 

In a boat I was alone. I had to wait until the passengers come and the boat is full. 

"For how long?" I asked the boatman.

"One hour!"

I looked at my watch. It was 4 pm. I should go back to Bangkok at 7 pm and got to be pick up point before 6.30 pm. The trip itself takes 1-2 hrs. 

Thank's God....in 45 mins the trip began.

It was a special trip. We went to four or five wat (temples). People can pray there. Hmm...I hope I coud see beautiful and unique wats that slightly different from wats in Bangkok. But I was wrong. The wat architecture is similiar with Bangkok wat. And although the wat is clean but looks dull. No explanation from the boatman about wats history or something. And yeah... I began to feel like I was wasting my time taking this trip. 

But, there is always blessing in disguise, isn't it??? The lady who was sit next to me asked me in Thai language. And once again I had to explain that I'm not Thai people, so she asked me again using English. She asked if I enjoyed this trip or not. Then I told her what's in my mind. And the rest of the trip, she became my private guide. 

Still don't know what it is. Cemetery? Or just stupas?

Feeding fish after pray

Wat in Amphawa

Amphawa before sunset

After the fourth temple, the rain was falling. So we had to finished the trip. It was 5.45 pm when the boat  arrived at the 'dock'. After said goodbye with the lady, I jumped out from the boat. 

I guess it was the time for me to said goodbye to Amphawa. 

See you soon, Amphawa....!!!!