simple serendipity: Thailand Sites: Ayutthaya

Day trip out of Bangkok care of my kind hearted and overly generous Tito. We checked out the Royal Summer Palace, and a number of key sites in the historic city of Ayutthaya- the heart of the Siam kingdom between 1350 - 1767 before it was destroyed by the Burmese.

The eclectic mix of buildings at the Summer Palace was nothing fantastic for me. The baby elephants (and of the belief that these little dudes are well taken care of!!) were amazing. What struck me the most though in a quiet, almost eerie way were the ruins at Wat Phra Mahathat. While the star attraction of UNESCO world heritage site was the Buddha head engulfed by figs, I enjoyed the quiet walk around the deserted ruins. It's was mind boggling to think that this place used to be a grand seat of power, bustling with life and activity. The world as they knew it no longer exists.

I've seen a number of historical landmarks, many of civilizations that no longer exist. I've never had such a quiet connection with them as I did with this one. Perhaps because this place isn't crawling with tourists and not as glamorized as many other historical landmarks? Who knows. Makes you wonder about the hundreds of other societies that no longer exist, some perhaps disappearing unnoticed? It also got me thinking deeper about globalization, where a world once so different is slowly becoming more and more alike.

But I digress! Ayutthaya? A trip definitely making should you ever find yourself in Bangkok.