We left early to see some historical sites of Thailand, like Bang Pa In Palace "summer palace", and Ayutthaya. First stop was the palace, which was a perfect example of cultural diffusion. It stuck out like a sore thumb, 100% not what I expected to see in Thailand. Built by King Rama V (the king from the King & I) it was incredibly European in style with a Chinese temple. King Rama V was known for modernizing Thailand and opening them up to global influences, hence the palace grounds design made sense. I felt like I was walking in a set from pride and prejudice or some other European palace instead of in eastern Asia. Sculptures, gardens, terraces, etc.. Really beautiful grounds. We learned about the Boddhi or Pho trees that are commonly at temples, apparently it is the tree siddartha was under when he reached enlightenment, so is revered in Buddhism and is only allowed to be planted at temples or on palace grounds.. They are beautiful trees with intricate roots growing up, and there was one near a mini outdoor temple at the palace entrance. The palace is still used, the royal family stays over the summer in the location and is open for visitors when they are not on the grounds. The palace is separated inner and outer grounds, the inner part only for women and boys under age 12, and is sedate by a long walkway with slats so people in the outer grounds can not see in. We also saw the throne of King Rama V, no other kings have sat on his throne, and there is a special spot for kings to bow down in front of it to pay their respects.
We then boarded the bus again to head to Ayutthaya ruins. On the bus Audi our tour guide brought us on some snacks to try, like kau lam, or sticky rice!! My absolute favorite like the sticky rice with papaya and coconut milk dessert at Jays, sticky rice is sold on the streetside inside bamboo. Its apparently very difficult to make, ill have to research it but its made with white or brown rice stored inside bamboo then cooked for a long period of time with other ingredients. So we got to try brown and white sticky rice, breaking the bamboo to scoop it out, sweet and delicious! Our other treat were these green roll ups. They are a muslim sweet, is like a green crepe rolled with a sweet inside, maybe similar to butterscotch? Also amazing!
So off to the Ayutthaya ruins, who's name means "undefeatable city" as they withstood being conquered numerous times, like from the Burmese 33 times I believe? But eventually they did pillage this capital, burning it down. It was capital for 417 years, and was like the Rome to me of eastern asia. Now what's left are three stone buildings which hold the ashes of kings (all Thai are cremated, with their ashes separated to temples, family, and spread to nature like down rivers).
Arriving there reminded me of Pompeii. It was a huge area, the three old white stone buildings remaining in the center as the focal point with old crumbled walls of old rooms and temples surrounding them. Old remains of statues of Buddha are visible everywhere, most of them with the bodies intact and heads removed.. Walking through was interesting to compare to the US or Europe, there are no workers policing you to not climb or step here or there, you are free to roam and explore it as you will, although hopefully with respect, but I did see some tourists climbing up on incredible and delicate ruins which annoyed me.
Afterwards we returned to our hotel Felix on the River Kwai Resort right on the river, cooled off in the pool as that day was stiflingly hot and then left for our dinner cruise. It was on a small boat with 8 of us. Going down the river at night we saw the ruins we saw earlier in the day with the night sky, some temples, and Thai people out eating at restaurants on the water. Our dinner was delicious with my favorite som tom spicy soup with coconut milk and other delicious food. Then karaoke on the boat. By the way thais are obsessed with karaoke, it's everywhere!
We then boarded the bus again to head to Ayutthaya ruins. On the bus Audi our tour guide brought us on some snacks to try, like kau lam, or sticky rice!! My absolute favorite like the sticky rice with papaya and coconut milk dessert at Jays, sticky rice is sold on the streetside inside bamboo. Its apparently very difficult to make, ill have to research it but its made with white or brown rice stored inside bamboo then cooked for a long period of time with other ingredients. So we got to try brown and white sticky rice, breaking the bamboo to scoop it out, sweet and delicious! Our other treat were these green roll ups. They are a muslim sweet, is like a green crepe rolled with a sweet inside, maybe similar to butterscotch? Also amazing!
So off to the Ayutthaya ruins, who's name means "undefeatable city" as they withstood being conquered numerous times, like from the Burmese 33 times I believe? But eventually they did pillage this capital, burning it down. It was capital for 417 years, and was like the Rome to me of eastern asia. Now what's left are three stone buildings which hold the ashes of kings (all Thai are cremated, with their ashes separated to temples, family, and spread to nature like down rivers).
Arriving there reminded me of Pompeii. It was a huge area, the three old white stone buildings remaining in the center as the focal point with old crumbled walls of old rooms and temples surrounding them. Old remains of statues of Buddha are visible everywhere, most of them with the bodies intact and heads removed.. Walking through was interesting to compare to the US or Europe, there are no workers policing you to not climb or step here or there, you are free to roam and explore it as you will, although hopefully with respect, but I did see some tourists climbing up on incredible and delicate ruins which annoyed me.
Afterwards we returned to our hotel Felix on the River Kwai Resort right on the river, cooled off in the pool as that day was stiflingly hot and then left for our dinner cruise. It was on a small boat with 8 of us. Going down the river at night we saw the ruins we saw earlier in the day with the night sky, some temples, and Thai people out eating at restaurants on the water. Our dinner was delicious with my favorite som tom spicy soup with coconut milk and other delicious food. Then karaoke on the boat. By the way thais are obsessed with karaoke, it's everywhere!
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