There is hardly a spot in Ayutthaya where you are unable to see a prang, chedi or link to this ancient capital’s past. Our ticket covered what they consider to be the six most important temples to visit, but there are so many more. We wandered around on foot, covering god knows how many miles, and these are our favourite discoveries. They are listed in … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, the Best of the Rest…
Our third day took us off the main island to the east, close to the railway station. We used the ferry to cross the river, the pier is just a hundred metres from the station. Our visit to Wat Maheyong would be the final tick of the big six, or at least the ones covered on the multi-temple ticket. Wat Maheyong was built in 1438, … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, Day Three…
The ancient city of Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced to retreat southwards from Sukhothai by their northern neighbours. Across those 400+ years, thirty-three kings of various dynasties ruled the kingdom. In 1767, Ayatthaya was occupied and destroyed, much of it razed to the ground by the Burmese. The … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, Day One…
Away from the grisly historical side, Kanchanaburi is an attractive town with vibrant night markets, walking streets, riverside parks and even a skywalk. The Kanchanaburi Skywalk was built during COVID at the point where the three rivers of Kanchanaburi, the Mae Klong, Phachi and Kwae Yaï meet. With being 12 meters high, it offers panoramic views of the river and the mountains beyond. The glass … Continue reading Kanchanaburi
Recharged and with a good breakfast inside us, we set off early, keen to get to Wat Mahathat before all the buses laden with day visitors from Bangkok. The name ‘Mahathat’ translates as Great Relic Chedi and the temple was constructed to house the remains of the Buddha himself no less. Legend has it that King Ramesuan was looking out of his palace, surveying his … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, Day Two…
Our heritage walk of Kanchanaburi is centred around the Pak Phraek Road area. This is the oldest community in Kanchanaburi, and its name is derived from the Chinese words Pak and Phek, which translates as the crossroad. When these homes were built they would have been beside the river. These days, they are a whole street further back running adjacent to the Sky Walk and … Continue reading Kanchanaburi Heritage Street and the Old Paper Mill
In 1942 Japan took Myanmar, or Burma as it was then, from British control. To secure a supply route to service their forces, they needed a rail link. Allied submarines patrolled the seas around the region, so that was ruled out. The rail link, however, would be no easier. The mountainous terrain, dense jungle, monsoon rains and threat of tropical disease would make the task … Continue reading Bridge Over the River Kwai
We were aware on our last visit that there was a park close to our accommodation, this time we got to see what we had been missing. We are at the far end of Sukhumvit Soi 4, Nana BTS is the closest station. In recent Google reviews Benchakitti Park is referred to as a little gem, one of Bangkoks’ best kept secrets. Our first visit was early … Continue reading Benchakitti Park
Our travels have a habit of starting in Bangkok, so we are revisiting some of our favourite places for at least the second time. We started our day at Lumpini Park, which is featured in the latest David Attenborough series titled Asia, with the focus on the number of giant water monitors that live there. We arrived via the BTS Skytrain at Sala Daeng Station, … Continue reading Lumpini Park and Chinatown
Our last morning in Bangkok was spent keeping cool in the Icon Siam Mall on the riverside of the Thai capital. With a heat warning in the news the air conditioned centre was the perfect place to keep cool until we head off for our flight. As shopping malls go this is something else, we thought Singapore topped them for luxury. Cleverly designed the ground … Continue reading Krabi Town
After crossing the border from Laos back into Thailand we had a night’s stay in Nong Khai rather than take the overnight train. The thought of arriving into Bangkok at 5a.m. didn’t appeal. Our train departs just before eight, so just time for breakfast before we board the third class compartment for a near nine hour journey. The windows are all open, and the back … Continue reading Nong Khai to Bangkok…
Our first wander around Vientiane has an air of familiarity, yet we have never visited here before. Nestled on the Mekong and with French colonial architecture and wide boulevards in a grid pattern it has shades of Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. It also shares that same tired look, a little shabby, almost neglected, around the edges. Victory monument or Patuxay as it … Continue reading Vientiane
Oldest On the Bus 