THAILAND I
We arrived in Bangkok, the biggest town in Thailand, for our spring vacations, in May/1998. We found it just gamazingh, a place where poverty and richness seem to coexist peacefully. The Grand Palace (Wat Phra Keo) is considered one of the most dazzling sights in all Asia. It was the residence and last bastion of the Chakri dynasty. Inside and out, Wat Phra Keo is full of golden ornamental figures, ggarudash statues and an incredible mixture of colors that makes a visit to this Palace an unforgettable experience to onefs eyes.
Wat Phra Keo-Bangkok, spring/98
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the holiest shrine in Thailand. It was built in 1784 and, even nowadays, functions as the monarchfs private chapel. Not only the Templefs tower is covered with gold but also many of the murals inside the chapel (explaining the Buddhafs life) have such grichh decoration. Itfs a gorgeous and worth visiting place.
"The Temple of the Emerald Buddha" - Bangkok, spring/98
Tuk-tuk is a very popular mean of transport in Thailand. Itfs a gcharioth built around a scooter with capacity for two persons only. Itfs uncomfortable, dangerous, noisy and polluting, however, one must try at least one ride on it, as part of the Thailand experience. Can you imagine take one of this Tuk-Tuk in the middle of the chaotic traffic of downtown Bangkok? Yeap, we did it! It was fun, definitely!
Tuk-Tuk-Bangkok, spring/98
Despite the ghot fryingh weather (around 40 degrees Celsius, at least), Ayutthaya is a pleasant one-day trip, leaving from Bangkok (75 Km away, north direction). Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 and, that time, it was one of the biggest cities in the world (not only in Thailand, believe us or not), until its catastrophic destruction by the Burmese in 1767. Nowadays, the city is an gopen airh museum, full of ruins that remained after the Burmese attack.
Ruins of Ayutthaya, Thailand, spring/98
The elephant is Thailandfs most revered animal and a national symbol, once featured on its flag. Besides the conventional taxis, buses and the peculiar Tuk-Tuk, elephants are also a gmean of transporth in Thailand. We gtook an elephanth to see the ruins of Ayutthaya. It was one of the most unforgettable gridesh wefve ever takenc this is also part of gAmazing Thailandh!
Elephant ride-Ayutthaya, Thailand, spring/98
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