June 8, 2008
Ayutthaya, Thailand

I felt it was necessary to devote an entire album to Ayutthaya alone, if only for the sheer magnificence of the ruins. This was actually my main agenda on this trip, and the place did not disappoint. (Many thanks to Tita Kit and Khun Samet who accompanied us!)

Ayutthaya was once the capital of Thailand. The Burmese invaded the city sometime around the 1700s and burned it down. Many of the Buddha images have also been decapitated. We were able to go to three sites around the city (the noontime heat was scorching!): Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Mahathat. These places once housed Thai royalty, and now they've been reduced to a beautiful decay of brick red. These count as some of the most awesome sights I've ever seen.

Oh, I got some close encounters of the elephant kind once again! :D