From the 14th to 18th centuries, the city of Ayutthaya was the capital of the powerful Siamese empire until it was destroyed by the Burmese. Now, the ruins of Ayutthaya are an impressive day trip from Bangkok.
After a train ride from the Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok and a quick ferry boat across the canal surrounding Ayutthaya’s Old City, Jackie and I rented bicycles and headed to Wat Mahathat, with its famous Buddha head embedded in a Banyon Tree.
Famous Buddha head at Wat Mahathat 
Wat Mahathat 
Buddha at Wat Mahathat
Right next to Wat Mahathat is Wat Ratchaburana, which was the royal temple.
Wat Ratchaburana 
Looking out from the pagoda
Next we went to Wat Pra Si Sanphet, with its three massive pagodas.
Pagodas at Wat Pra Si Sanphet 
Trippy, morphed pagodas
At this point we were melting riding our bicycles in the Thailand heat, but we pressed on! We saw the more modern and still in use Wat Pra Mongkhon Bophit and the impressive Wat Pra Ram nearby.
So. Many. Stairs. 
The sky was too bright but I think it made the photo cooler. 
Meditating in the ruins.
Lastly, we visited the massive, 42 meter long reclining Buddha at Wat Lokkaya Sutha.
It was a long, hot day, but definitely worth the trip from Bangkok.
😀