Ayutthaya (3)

Our next stop was Wat Mahathat, the remains of a huge monastery complex, built mainly from red brick.

Buddah's head entwined in the roots of a tree - see http://www.thaizer.com/tourist-attractions/buddha-head-in-tree-roots-wat-mahathat-ayutthaya/ for more details

Most of the remaining structures lean precariously, the heat of the sun affecting the mortar between the bricks, methinks

Most of Buddha's heads were removed by the Burmese when they captured the town

A short distance away we visited Wat Lokaya Sutha the original temple surrounding the giant reclining Buddha long since gone.

Our guide showed us a photograph of flood waters surrounding the Buddha in 2011

Ayutthaya (2)

Next, the temple complex at Yai Chai Mongkol, and yet more steps to climb. Good exercise when you live in a bungalow!

The yellow sash signifies nirvana in Buddhism

Tine has a go with gold leaf at the top of the steps...

...where the view was well worth our efforts

 

Yellow again

A bit of housework along the way

Another tuk-tuk, this one a Nemo for Matt!

Ayutthaya (1)

We decided on a trip out to Ayutthaya, the old capital city of Siam which was destroyed by the Burmese army in the 18th century. A new town was built later, a few kilometres away, but there are many ruins to explore.

First stop: Phukhao Thong, and yes we did climb the steps...

...and here are some views to prove it...

...including the surrounding rice fields.

Models of cockerels are often seen in and around temples

This man was collecting fruit from the tree but we didn't recognise what it was!

Some very skinny long-eared cows 

Although the weather was hazier it was very hot & ideal for a snooze in this hammock

Our favourite Buddha: Happy Buddha!

We discovered that tuk-tuks varied from region to region

Wat Saket (Golden Mount)

Despite the heat and with the thought that you can never see enough temples in one day we enjoyed a tuk-tuk journey from Wat Pho to Wat Saket, otherwise known as Golden Mount).

I might not be so tall but tuk-tuks are obviously made for shorter passengers although Tine appreciated the view!

A jaunty pink and gold dragon was there to greet us

It's a spiral footpath that ascends the mount, the lower parts in shade with several shrines along the way

To amuse visitors, wonderful sounding bells...

...and gongs, where you could pretend to be introducing a J. Arthur Rank film!

This sign tickled me as it's the norm to remove all footwear before entering a temple

Finally, the view from the top of the man-made hill...

...where we watched a Buddhist ceremony, the crowd chanting after the leader, whilst holding the ribbon all the way around the stupa.

Wat Pho (2)

Wat Pho is the home of the famous reclining Buddha. Words can't describe the shock of seeing just how big it was, nor can photos do it justice. Here's how Wikipedia describes it:

• The image of reclining Buddha is 15 m high and 43 m long with its right arm supporting the head with tight curls on two box-pillows of blue, richly encrusted with glass mosaics. The 3 m high and 4.5 m long foot of Buddha displays are inlaid with mother-of-pearl. They are divided into 108 arranged panels, displaying the auspicious symbols by which Buddha can be identified like flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers and altar accessories. Over the statue is a seven tiered umbrella representing the authority of Thailand. There are 108 bronze bowls in the corridor indicating the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha. People drop coins in these bowls as it is believed to bring good fortune, and to help the monks maintain the wat. Though the reclining Buddha is not a pilgrimage centre, it remains an object of popular piety.