Thailand

Founded in the 14th century, Ayutthaya was the capital for over 400 years, serving as a commercial and trade center for the Asian region and the world. Built on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, the city was designed in genuine Thai style as an island city, surrounded by water, with criss-crossing canals that served as the main streets.

We are going to visit the biggest sitting Buddha in Ayuthaya. But before entering the temple, you have to take off your shoes.

Inside the temple, you'll immediately appreciate the cool atmosphere after the scorching sun outside. Wat Phanan Choeng was built two decades before the establishment of Ayutthaya. The gilded Buddha is 19 meters high even in a sitting posture. I was just in time to witness the everyday ritual: draping the monk's saffron colored cloth over the Buddha statue's shoulder. Pious followers offer the bright colored cloth with great respect to the Buddha. After the robes are extended over the heads of everyone down below, to symbolize the sharing of the divine blessing, people stand up silently and walk clockwise around the statue. The ritual is repeated over and over as new groups arrive. The religion is so deep rooted that you find Buddhist influences in many pieces of classic Thai music.

Taking a ride on an elephant in the ancient Thai capital of Ayuttayaon makes you feel a bit as if you are a member of the royal family taking a ride through the royal residence. The only problem is that it's a little bit too slow. I guess it's perfectly appropriate for the regal rhythms of ancient royal family life, but it's a bit too leisurely for the tight schedule of a traveler.

The day has started to darken by the time we get to the oldest temple of Ayutthaya. This is Wat Phra Si Sanphet, where the first royal palace was built. In the mid-14th century King U-Thong made Ayutthaya his capital and built the royal palace here. It had five principal pavilions, all of them probably wood constructions. When most of it was destroyed by fire in the year 1440, a new grand palace was built in the north and the old palace was converted into a religious house. Nowadays, people still come over here to pay their respects and ask for blessings.

Somehow, for me, ruins always have more charm. The passing of time and the natural caress from the rains and the sun endow the architecture with a special glow that no human hand can render.

Back in today's Thai capital of Bangkok, all the liveliness and dynamism of the Thai people swings back. The sprawling city now has a sky train to deal with its notorious traffic problem. But the traditional tuk-tuk, the motor carts that whizz you to any corner of the metropolis in the fastest fashion still rush around the city like crazy. Around every corner, you will find food stands offering all kinds of local delicacies. Of all the tropical fruits, don't forget to try the raw mango. It seems the city offers temptation and excitement at every moment.