Throwback Trip Thursday : Ayutthaya 2008

The Old City of Ayutthaya

Ancient ruins span centuries to excite the imagination and fuel travel plans. The very best make you feel young, trifled, and utterly amazed by the architectural spectacles of the ancients. Among the many startling ruins that still exist today, a few stand out as the trip of a lifetime.

Ruined Temples

My trip to Ayutthaya in Thailand back in 2008 made me feel like that. I feel young as I wander on its ancient ruins. I feel trifled as these gigantic structures could easily nip you helpless with just one tremor. And I was left utterly amazed on how these structures survived the ravages of time and still stand proud and strong amidst all elements that are thrown their way.

The Reclining Buddha

Ayutthaya used to be the capital of Thailand for almost four centuries. It flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries, during which time it grew to be one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a center of global diplomacy and commerce.

Huge Sitting Buddha

Ayutthaya was strategically located on an island surrounded by three rivers connecting the city to the sea. This site was chosen because it was located above the tidal bore of the Gulf of Siam as it existed at that time, thus preventing attack of the city by the sea-going warships of other nations. The location also helped to protect the city from seasonal flooding.

Hiking Up One of the Temples

At present, it is one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U - Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbours. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767.

Red Bricked Ruins

Ayutthaya is about 76 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo - China’s most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage since 1991.

The Guardians

Thou we are privileged to visit ancient ruins such as Ayutthaya, such privileged should come with responsibilities – that is we need to practice responsible, respectful and considerate tourism in order to protect the place so that the children of our children van still visit and enjoy the place.

Prayerful Garden

This is the first post for the year on my new series Throwback Trip Thursday where I look back on some of my favorite trips. I hope to do at least one post a month preferably every last Thursday of the month. Hope you enjoy this series for I had a fun time reminiscing about my experience on the place.