Another bargain train journey (from Ayutthaya), costing just 20 baht each, had us arriving into Lop buri train station in just over an hour. I was expecting to be accosted by monkeys as soon as we stepped into the street, given all the hype in the guidebook, and from what the locals back in Ayutthaya said, but nothing. In fact, we went most of the day without seeing any until we were heading over to prang sam yot, which is renowned for them.
 
I gave in to the lure of the palace and its museum with prehistoric and numerous other pieces on display . The screen covered in amulets in one of the rooms upstairs is beautiful and the top floor houses a statue of Nelson and Queen Victoria with an interesting display about foreign relations. Other than that, unless you like looking at numerous artifacts, you may join me in the boring camp.
 
Despite having just come from Ayutthaya, the temple sites here in Lop buri, didn't leave me feeling like I never wanted to see another temple. The town is fairly small and easy to navigate on foot, and the sites are completely different as well as being almost deserted.
 
I recommend working your way through the sites and leaving the monkey temple to last as it's worth hanging out here to watch the numerous tour groups that arrive in their coaches. Most are inappropriately dressed for a temple visit, and often unprepared to deal with the monkey onslaught. I feel sorry for the monkeys who just don't know if their chosen victim, for a cuddle, is going to freak out or pose quietly for a photo. 
 
They are a little persistent, so it's difficult to try to deter them from climbing up you, even when you don't have any food to offer. I dare you to walk around the perimeter of the temple, taking pictures, without at least one monkey jumping on you. If there's a tour group there with food, it's impossible!
 
They are less frantic along the road nearby, but I still felt it necessary to walk out in the middle of the road clutching my bag to avoid being attacked.