Come along with me and share the excitement as I explore the world researching freelance articles. These blog posts offer short chunks of travel that you can digest quickly as well as plenty of photos so you get the picture. You'll have some fun, make discoveries, and pick up great ideas and information for your own vacations. Think of me as your canary in the coal mine. For even more travel inspiration, visit my BERKELEY AND BEYOND website at http://www.berkeleyandbeyond.com.
Started 17 years ago, this innovative working elephant village is dedicated to conserving these animals. The program at ElephantStay involves caring for and learning about elephants, and the facility has had 40 births in 10 years. I got to feed the elephants, watch the babies playing in their bathtubs, and see mature elephants painting.
baby elephants bathing at ElephantStay village in Ayutthaya, Thailand
baby elephants bathing at ElephantStay village in Ayutthaya, Thailand
feeding elephants at ElephantStay village in Ayutthaya, Thailand
elephants in river at ElephantStay village in Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ayutthaya--pronounced “a-you-tat-ya”--was named after the city of Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Rama. Once the capital of Siam, it was one of the world's largest and most sophisticated cities before being ransacked in 1756 by the Burmese. Today Ayutthaya Historical Park is a historical treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 300 historic temples dot the city and encircling rivers.
Daily 8:30am-5pm. 50 Baht/US$1.39. This beautiful stupa dates to 1424, when King Boromaraja II built it to hold the ashes of his elder brothers, who killed each other in a battle for the throne.
Wat Rajburana stupa at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
Wat Rajburana stupa at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
damaged Buddha statue at Wat Rajburana at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
(Temple of the Great Relics) Museum 8am-4:30pm. To enter courtyard of giant chedi, 30 Baht/US$0.83; museum, 20 Baht/US$0.55. Located almost right in the center of the park, this important temple is believed to date from the 14th century. Don’t miss the Strangled Buddha--a Buddha statue head embraced by the roots of a banyan (bodhi, pho) tree. In addition to holding Buddha's enshrined relics, this temple was also the residence of the leader of the Thai Buddhist monks.
Wat Phra Mahathat at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
Buddha statue at Wat Phra Mahathat at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
Strangled Buddha at Wat Phra Mahathat at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
Ayutthaya’s most important site was established as a center for important religious rituals and ceremonies. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Three Sri Lankan-style chedis built in the 15th century hold the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings. In 1767, invading Burmese attempted melting the gold off a Buddha statue and started a fire that destroyed both the statue and the temple. The Buddha seen today is a replica. A large covered market holds stalls selling souvenirs and street food.
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
Golden Buddha at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
worshippers at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
chedis at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
Daily 7:30am-6pm. 50 Baht/US$1.39. Located scenically on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, this large, peaceful compound is southwest of the old city and can be reached by road or boat. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Modeled on Angor Wat, it has a central high prang (tower), four smaller prangs, and eight chedi-shaped chapels. Most of the 120 Buddha statues are, unfortunately, missing their heads through looting.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
Buddha statues at Wat Chaiwatthanaram at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand
