Ayutthaya 3

The ruins of what was Siam's capital for 400 years draws crowds of tourists to the city of Ayutthaya just north of Bangkok to view the remains of the most powerful world capital of its time. Despite its sacking by the Burmese invaders, followed by antique hunters who removed most of the heads from hundreds of Buddha statues, the historical park's many sites still evoke a sense of quiet grandeur.

I have visited Ayutthaya many times, usually when showing it to visitors, and each time I see something different, marvelously appearing where I had previously looked, but not seen. This visit was no different.

Beautiful branches framed by a brick window. 

Stately "chedis" (pagodas) at the Grand Palace

The iconic Buddha's head entwined by tree roots at Wat Mahathat

The original walls were built of brick, then covered by a type of white concrete.
The city must have gleamed in the sunlight.

The brick infrastructure of a huge Buddha statue, now without a head and its white covering.

At a temple next to the park's Grand Palace, water is poured over a Buddha statue as a sign of respect and hope for a good new year.

The most popular way to get to Ayutthaya is by train.

In the non-air conditioned third class cars, the heat and swaying lulls many to sleep.