I discovered a lost kingdom in Thailand
<p><em><strong>Anne Sinclair, 68, was born in England but spent most of her youth in Darwin, Northern Territory. Now in a position to travel and explore the world, Anne looks forward to sharing her personal experience and encourages others to step out and have fun. </strong></em></p>
<p>Could you ever really imagine, and I really mean, imagine – stepping back into the fifteenth century and entering a vast amphibious city – built on canals (which have largely disappeared now) – and it’s not Venice?</p>
<p>Let me invite you to Thailand and share the wonderful ancient ruins of the city of Ayutthaya. Once realised as an island of palaces and pagodas, attracting adventurers and leisure travellers, diplomats and merchants, mercenaries and missionaries. The reality of the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries, can be imagined – as you walk (or drive, or ride on an elephant) through this amazing ancient city.</p>
<p>Just eighty kilometres north of Bangkok, this ancient city is where now, living communities are enter-twined with the sites and ruins, of the decaying yet beautiful, ancient capital. These wondrous sites of ancient ruins, profoundly evoke the past.</p>
<p>Ayutthaya was declared an historical park in 1976 – where sites were deemed to be of outstanding ‘value to humanity’.</p>
<p>It is not all ruins and historical monuments though, the modern touches include an important institution promoting the arts and culture of Ayutthaya. Visitors can enjoy traditional Thai music and dance shows, at the Institute of Ayutthaya Studies.</p>
<p>There are two Museums; hosts to exhibitions which display excavated artefacts, ornaments, art objects and items reflecting lifestyles of the past. Buddha’s heads are conspicuously (and sadly I had felt) missing at the ancient temple ruins – many have been destroyed or stolen. Their National Museum has preserved some of these unique items though, at Chao Sam Phraya.</p>
<p>There are Arts and Craft Centres, food tours, visits to elephant pens and camps, rice barge cruises, boat trips, bike tours, kayaking – plenty of family activities on offer.</p>
<p>If you have a yearning for lost treasures though, or love to feel yourself akin to these lost centuries, you really need to include this most exciting city on your list of things ‘to do’.</p>
<p>Giant reclining Buddha’s are featured at Wat Lokkayasutha – one measures forty two metres in length. You can’t but enjoy the faint smile of this Buddha, and wonder if this smile is meant just for you!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="589" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/33419/thai-ruins-in-text_500x589.jpg" alt="Thai -ruins -in -text"/></p>
<p><em>Image credit: Anne Sinclair</em></p>
<p>The most impressive ruin, for me, was The Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and the Grand Palace. This area is seen as the most outstanding monument in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. This temple housed a sixteen metre tall, gold-covered Buddha image, cast in 1500. Sadly, after the old capital had fallen in 1797, this grand image was destroyed and melted into 160kg of gold. It’s hard to believe. When you visit this site today – there are three huge temples with spires reaching toward the skies, standing proudly within the Grand Palace complex.</p>
<p>This incredibly Grand Palace, that successive kings of this great kingdom, have resided in. Such history is intertwined in almost every corner of this beautiful city.</p>
<p>The accommodation is quite modern and you can easily enjoy staying in clean, western style hotels. The Tuk Tuk service (like a small open taxi) will provide you with interesting travel between these amazing sites. Not too expensive either. You can have your own driver proudly escort you to and from each and every site you would like to see. Make sure you have plenty of room on the camera or your mobile phone, as Ayutthaya is overflowing in wonderment and historical treasures.</p>
<p>Truly, there is so much to see in this great city, that a two or three day trip (or more) would ensure you can capture these incredible monuments – walk into and through your dreams, enjoy your own historical heritage moments – this city is a living heritage community, and in Thailand. It’s just wonderful!</p>
<p>Have you ever been to Thailand? Share your experience with us in the comments below.</p>
<p><strong>Hero image credit: Anne Sinclair</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Related links:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/12/why-you-should-never-ride-the-elephants/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Why you should never ride the elephants</em></span></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/12/urgent-warning-issued-for-tourists-in-thailand/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Urgent warning issued for Aussie tourists in Thailand</strong></em></span></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2016/10/cruising-the-mighty-mekong-river/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Cruising the mighty Mekong River</strong></em></span></a></p>
