AYUTTHAYA

The ability to withstand torrential monsoons, relentless sun, furious winds, and numerous wars are a few of the characteristics that allow places dubbed as ancient to gain their titles. The small city of Ayutthaya just over one hour north of chaotic Bangkok is just such a place. The city itself is built on and around a large island where cargo ships pass by on their way to Bangkok, but it is what can be found scattered around the island and its adjacent banks that make this a must see destination.

Built over 500 years ago these great temples, palaces, and pagodas still stand erect and have been incorporated into the landscape. Flora grows out from the stone cracks while birds and insects have colonized the nooks and crannies. The earthen walls, intricately carved statues, man-made moats and lakes, and buildings are all intertwined with the land to form a scene like no other.

These types of places are best explored unguided to allow your imagination to run rampant. Work mythical legends into the imagery of the past picturing flourishing markets and bustling streets. Let your mind allow the past to come to life to your own creativity. It then makes visiting the museums and reading the actual historic information about the places more exciting after. These ruins once of extreme significance in the past remain so today but rather for the tourist industry and future generations to marvel at.