Just a quick hour drive up north of Bangkok is the beautiful city of Ayutthaya --
an ancient kingdom built by Rama I U-Thong, the first ruler of Thailand.
The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there's at least 58 beautiful attractions to tour!
There is so much history, ancient relics and beautiful temples to soak in in this beautiful city and it's unfortunate that we only had a day to tour around.
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If you find yourself in this lovely city, here's a few tips to enjoy your visit:
1. Hire a private van from Bangkok. It's a bit pricey but it's the fastest and safest.
We hired a chauffeured van from this
company and was very pleased with their service.
statue! Linger long enough to see a robe ceremony -- where faithful Buddhists honor their
Buddha by offering the statue a vibrant orange new robe.
morning sun casts directly to the temple. And if your timing is lucky enough, take this
shot (scroll below to see the 2nd photo that we took of a teenage tourist with the lovely brick
temple at the backdrop).
and home of the 1st King from the 13th century. Find out how this once great
kingdom fell to its enemy in a gruesome and gory battle. I hope not to get nightmares from it.
5. Always rent an audio wherever it's offered. For a mere $3 (฿100), you get a lesson in history
with a very interesting narration. It's how I found out the interesting story in #5 above.
If nothing else, it will surely help bring the relics come back to life in your imagination.
Without it, everything will just look like another brick from another century.
6. Visit
Wat Maha That (Monastery of the Great Relic) and look for the sandstone Buddha
surrounded by tree roots. Sure you'll get a wee bit disappointed realizing it's a tad small than
what the travel magazines promised and lured you into. Regardless, it's not something you see
everyday and can't buy at the malls!
7. Stop for lunch at
Coffee Old City. There's a reason why it's voted #1 on Tripadvisor. Order
their Tom Yum fried rice, Pad Thai to find out for yourself.
mother's day card and charm bracelet gifts to shame.
9. Hire a boat to cruise around Chao Phraya or a bike to tour around the city. But no matter
what you do, I beg not to hire an elephant ride! Should you consider it for a moment, read this
blog and you'll surely change your mind.
10. After learning so much history of this great city, (assuming you followed #9 above), you'll
slowly start to harbor a little resentment to the people who ruined this city. Chill!! It happened
more than 400 years ago. Suggest to go back to the place in #7 to have a Thai Iced Tea.
10. I was told to visit 9 temples in a day for good luck. I had a all the good intentions but
unfortunately, I reached some form of temple fatigue towards the late afternoon after hours
in grueling heat. (It's high 85F that day. I live in Minnesota, 80's is a grueling heatwave for
me!).
So after 7 hours, 5 temples, countless relics and a lesson in Thai history -- all for a mere $30
(฿900), we called it a day.
