I was lucky enough to fit Ayutthaya in my travel plans last week. I believe in destiny and how no matter what, if its meant to be its meant to be.
The plan was to go to Bangkok just for the Coldplay concert but because the flight was super expensive, I decided to extend another day and what better way to spend that extra day then to visit Ayutthaya. I've always wanted to visit Ayutthaya, it has been in my bucket list for the longest time and there was one point that I thought maybe I should just fly in , visit Ayutthaya and fly out. But luck was on my side, after much thought, I decided that this would be the best time to visit the second capital of Siam after Sukhotai.
The Historic City of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. 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. 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.The city was attacked and razed by the Burmese army in 1767 who burned the city to the ground and forced the inhabitants to abandon the city. The city was never rebuilt in the same location and remains known today as an extensive archaeological site. (Taken from Unesco website).
For those planning to head to to Ayutthaya, you have 2 options, you can join the tour or you can do a private tour. It all depends on your preference. The joint-tour normally starts at 6am and covers about 4 different temples. (but recommended only for those who are willing to wake up early). We decided to rent a car (technically its a Taxi with a driver) for about 2,500 Baht a day and it will be at your own pace. We decided to part from hotel at 9am and it took about an hour and a half to reach our first stop which is Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory .
Our next stop is where you can find the buddha head in the tree, Wat Mahathat. The buddha head entwined within the roots of a tree is one of the most recognisable images from Thailand. This ancient temple was built during the 14th century, but was reduced to ruins in 1767. The area remained abandoned and overgrown until the 1950s when the Department of Fine art began restoration work in Ayutthaya. Nobody knows for certain how the Buddha head became entwined in the roots of the tree. One theory suggests that the tree simply grew around the Buddha head during the period when the temple lay abandoned and overgrown. Another theory is that a thief moved the Buddha head away from the main temple to hide it.When visiting this location please remember it is a sacred site. The presence of a discrete chain are there to remind visitors of the fact that they cannot touch the statue. You may take photos, but to be respectful these should be taken from a kneeling position. They even lay a mat so that people can sit next to the head .
Overall, Ayutthaya is a must visit for historical buff like me. I'm totally grateful that despite everything, I was lucky enough to pay this place a visit. A special shout out to Mr M for being a good sport and for being my instagram husband.
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