Ayutthaya
11 Nov 2018
Visited Ayutthaya 10 years ago and loved this ancient Siam capital.
Ten years later, the ruins are more or less the same. But there are more fancy restaurants, hotels, and rich Asian tourists.
A quick run of the history:
Ayutthaya was the royal capital of Siam from 1350 until 1767, when it was attacked by the Burmese. The Burmese burned the city and melted the gold they ransacked. Nat told me that part of the melted gold was used to build a huge temple in Burma.
To me, it is simply inconceivable that a Buddhist country would do that to another country. Looking at the turmoils in Myanmar nowadays, I do believe that it's the ripening result of what their ancestors did in the past.
Despite the sad history and the modern development, nothing can take away the charm of this ancient city... except for the scorching sun!
One of the three most intact stupas at Wat Phra Si Sanphet. This temple once contained a 16 meter-high buddha statue that has since been move inside a temple nearby.
The famous sandstone buddha head that is entwined by bodhi tree roots.
A pigeon resting on the shoulder of a buddha statue in Wat Mahathat.
A traditional Thai house at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
Was excited to realize that Chao Phraya River was actually 湄南河!
First time trying stir-fried lotus stems. Very crunchy like fresh asparagus but with an earthy and almost muddy taste.
Concluded our trip by visiting the smiling Sleeping Buddha.
Nirvana is peace, indeed.
Visited Ayutthaya 10 years ago and loved this ancient Siam capital.
Ten years later, the ruins are more or less the same. But there are more fancy restaurants, hotels, and rich Asian tourists.
A quick run of the history:
Ayutthaya was the royal capital of Siam from 1350 until 1767, when it was attacked by the Burmese. The Burmese burned the city and melted the gold they ransacked. Nat told me that part of the melted gold was used to build a huge temple in Burma.
To me, it is simply inconceivable that a Buddhist country would do that to another country. Looking at the turmoils in Myanmar nowadays, I do believe that it's the ripening result of what their ancestors did in the past.
Despite the sad history and the modern development, nothing can take away the charm of this ancient city... except for the scorching sun!
One of the three most intact stupas at Wat Phra Si Sanphet. This temple once contained a 16 meter-high buddha statue that has since been move inside a temple nearby.
The famous sandstone buddha head that is entwined by bodhi tree roots.
A pigeon resting on the shoulder of a buddha statue in Wat Mahathat.
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| Silhouette of Wat Mahathat. |
A traditional Thai house at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
Was excited to realize that Chao Phraya River was actually 湄南河!
First time trying stir-fried lotus stems. Very crunchy like fresh asparagus but with an earthy and almost muddy taste.
Concluded our trip by visiting the smiling Sleeping Buddha.
Nirvana is peace, indeed.
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