Bicycles and History

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After a dose of the capital city, it was time to unwind, slow down and experience a different kind of history on an island formed by the junction of three rivers.

Ayuthaya

This was the Thai capital and cultural center of the Thai nation from 1350 until 1767, when the city fell to the Burmese after two years of war. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a modern city has eased in around the holy ruins which makes for an interesting blend of new and old. The ruins have been partially restored which gives you a sense for the original grandeur and scale of the once magnificent city which was admired and written about by foreign visitors over the years.

There are temples scattered on the island as well as along the rivers which completely circle the island. I only had 24hours in town on my way to Sukhothai so I made the best I could of my time there and focused mainly on the island ruins.

The pictures do the sights far more justice than any description I can provide in writing. Admittedly, my knowledge of the sites is limited to the brief lines in my LP guidebook and whatever signs were posted at the sites themselves. While I would have loved to visit the Ayuthaya Historical Study Centre which has a great reputation for providing context, the clock was ticking once I got there midday and the bicycle had to be returned before sundown.

The police have issued an order forbidding tourists from cycling at night as a result of many accidents that have taken place. This is a real bummer because many of the wats are lit at night and most are too far from the guesthouses to make a walk in the dark alone wise. If I had been brave enough to hire a motorcycle (a glorified vespa really) it would not have been a problem. Unfortunately, I'm a bit chicken when it comes to these things given the way people, cars and bikes navigate the streets and the fact that my insurance probably wouldn't cover an accident because I'm not licensed for a motorbike in the US. Hindsight being what it is, Ayuthaya would have been the perfect place to try one on because the roads are quiet and clear compared to anywhere else. Oh well!

On intense afternoon riding around on the bicycle complete, I strolled over to the nightmarket where I made two new friends over dinner and is also probably where I got my first case of a traveling upset tummy! This put a dent in my ambitious plan to rise with the sun and make my way across the river to what is supposed to be the most spectacular temple in the area: Wat Chai Wattanaram. Instead, I spent a couple hours doubled over with stomach cramps before I popped an Immodium, got on a bicycle and made a circle of the island along U-Thong road so that I could glimpse the Wat from the other side of the river. Terrible pictures, but I at least accomplished something that morning before getting on a train!

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Photos

THE Shot
You've probably seen this one before. Very popular shot at this temple in Ayuthaya.

White Sky
The bane of my trip

Statue Down
Thought the hand was appropriately placed. No peeking.

Good shot
One of the temples.

Image of buddha on cobra
During a flood that threatened Buddha's life, god became a King Cobra and used his hood to protect Buddha from the rain while raising him up above the water level by coiling the snakes body under him.

Chedi in the Middle of a Yard
When I cycled past here later in the afternoon, the family was having a picnic on the chedi wall.

Frangipani
Huge!

Altars
Small, family altars erected under a tree behind a makeshift burial area.

Temple Foundations
Thought the pattern was interesting.

Top of a Chedi
Look at the blue tile inlay. Really sparkles in the daylight.

Wat on U-Thong Road
Spotted this beauty on my bicycle ride around the island.

Comments

[Miracle]

companion needed...
You needed me there, not only am I an accomplished motorcycle rider, food wasn't on the menu :)

[nezca]

you're hired!
I definitely could have used a chauffeur with nerves of steel... the Thai don't mess around with their rides.