Visiting the unesco site of ancient Thailand.

Started the day at 615am. Took a cab via Grab to go to Mochit New Van terminal. From National Stadium, it takes only 15 min in the early morning.

I booked my van tickets through 12go asia and have to reach the van terminal 30 min before departure time (7.00am)

At 645 the van was already fully loaded and we started the joirney 15 min before time. Reached Ayutthaya at 830am.

Upon reaching Ayutthaya, I was approached by the Tuk Tuk driver to negotiate a deal to get around this ancient city.

I agreed to pay 1000 bhat for a 4 hour hire that takes me to all the temples on my must go list.

I just have to show him the destination in thai. He also has a photo card of the famous places. Just point where you will like to go. I did my research before hand and had created a list of destination with Thai name, (copied from google map)

My strategy was to visit the outlying temples surrounding the ancient city. First

Wat Yai Chaimongkol. You can climb all the way up this giant pagoda.

2nd Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan. This giant buddha must be at least 3 storey high. The interior in red lacquer and gold leaf motif is extremely beautiful. For a second, I was contemplating redecorating my home…

3rd Wat Chai Watthanaram. In its glorious past, everything was clad in gold. The invading burmese plundered everything valuable.

4th Wat Phu Khao Thong, a giant white pagoda in the middle of no where. Its like a pristine snow mountain standing tall in the harsh tropical sun. Not much people and I have the whole pagoda to myself.

5th Wat Na Phra Meru. Buddha in royal attire.

6th Wat Lokayasutharam

7th Wat Phra Si Sanphet

8th Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit

This giant statue was left in ruin with a young sapling tree growing at its shoulder. It has been restored and is majestic. I had a change to participate in a simple ceremony to offer robe to the statue. For 100 bhat, you can symbolically offer robe to the Buddha while a Buddhists elder chant a prayer on your behalf. I just knelt at the foot of this giant statue, listening to the short chanting while feeling blissful. Was an awesome experience for me. For a while, a wonderful vision came to my mind…..

9th Wat Mahathat is my last stop for the day. The Buddha head that became part of a tree is a much photographed tourist magnet.

I managed to complete my tour by 1.00pm.

Hope you enjoy this blog.

May all be well and happy.