Ayutthaya Sunset Ride - Cycling through the ancient capital during sun

As soon as we have selected a bicycle, we ride to the pier where we board a ferry to cross the Pa Sak River. Once we arrived on the other side, we cycled through Chao Phrom market, the most famous local market in Ayutthaya

Nowadays, a National Museum, the old prison and Hua Ro market, before we arrive at Bang Ian Night Market. We park our bicycles and walk over this busy night market with lots of vendors selling clothes and, of course, food! We will have our appetiser here and get a glimpse of the local nightlife

The sun has set now, and we cross the road to Wat Mahathat, one of the most famous temple complexes in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Wat Mahathat, a royal monastery, once served as the seat of the Sangaraja, the head of the Buddhist monks

We continue our spectacular evening bike ride and pass Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Phra Ram. Of course we can stop to make some pictures.

Built in several phases in the 15th and 16th centuries, it was located inside the compound of the Grand Palace and served as a royal chapel. After the Burmese conquered Ayutthaya, the temple was sacked and mostly destroyed; all that remained were the three chedis, which contain the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings

It's time for our dinner, so we will stop at a local restaurant where the guide will order a Thai meal

After dinner, we get on our bikes again and continue exploring Ayutthaya. We cycle over the bridge to cross the Chao Phraya River, and we can already see the illuminated ruins of the magnificent Wat Chaiwattanaram in the distance. A couple of minutes later, we are standing in front of this stunning temple complex, wonderfully lit up at night. Wat Chaiwattanaram was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother, featuring the architectural style influenced by the Angkor temple in Cambodia. The moon, shining brightly high up in the dark sky, makes this amazing temple look even more magical!

Before we return to our office, we make a last stop at Wat Lokayasutharam to take a picture of the huge reclining Buddha, the biggest in Ayutthaya

While cycling back we pass the enlightened Ayutthaya City Pillar, or Lak Muang. People visit the city pillar to make offerings and pray for good fortune, pregnancy and other favours. We arrive at our office again where this amazing Ayutthaya Sunset bicycle adventure ends.