Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

Ayutthaya - My final UNESCO site of the day was the famous Wat Mahathat, best known for the iconic Buddha head entwined in the roots of a banyan tree. This temple, once a royal monastery, was a spiritual hub during Ayutthaya's reign. Wat Phra Mahathat, Thailand, was a royal Temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It is one of the oldest and most significant temples in the history of Ayutthaya as it housed the Buddha's holy relic. Many important royal ceremonies of the Ayutthaya era had been hosted here. When the Ayutthaya Kingdom failed in 1767, Wat Phra Mahathat was severely damaged by fire and was since abandoned.  It was a huge temple compound, lots of walking and time for a good dinner.   Just across the road, food sellers are getting ready for the Night market.    Getting crowded Thai wan ton mee By 6:10 PM, it was time to leave Ayutthaya and head back to Bangkok. The tour bus dropped us off at ICS, opposite ICONSIAM Mall, where the sparkling lights of Bangkok we...

 Ayutthaya - Wat Chaiwatthanaram was founded by King Prasart Thong in 1630 as a tribute to his late mother, so he chose to build it on the site of her residence. During his reign, it would've been one of the city's most important temples.  One of the temples in Ayutthaya city that is a UNESCO Heritage site. The symmetrical layout of the temple, with its towering prang (spire) surrounded by smaller chedis, made it a photographer's paradise.  The temple symbolised Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. Walking through the ruins, I felt transported back in time, imagining the temple in its full glory during Ayutthaya's golden age.

Ayuttaya - the 2nd stop after my lunch, was Wat Yai Chai Mongkon.   The temple is famous for its large pagoda, which was built to commemorate King Naresuan the Great's victory over the Burmese King in an elephant duel. This victory was a turning point in Thai history, granting Siam its independence from Burma. Our first UNESCO World Heritage site of the day was the iconic Wat Yai Chaimongkol. This temple, known for its towering chedi (stupa), is a symbol of Ayutthaya's spiritual and architectural grandeur. Houses where the monks lived Sleeping Buddha White sleeping buddha

 Ayuttaya - Today was a day I had eagerly anticipated — a visit to Ayutthaya, the historic city in Thailand brimming with cultural and architectural wonders. Known for its UNESCO World Heritage sites and timeless charm, Ayutthaya promised a glimpse into Thailand's glorious past. My tour, booked conveniently through Klook, included a visit to the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and three UNESCO-listed temples.  Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. In the mid-18th century, the Burmese Konbaung dynasty invaded Ayutthaya in 1759–1760 and 1765–1767. In April 1767, after a 14-month siege, the city of Ayutthaya fell to besieging Burmese forces and was completely destroyed, thereby ending the 417-year-old Ayutthaya Kingdom.  First Stop: Bang Pa-In Palace (commonly called Summer Palace) A serene and picturesque retreat once used by the Thai monarchy. This stunning palace complex is a blend of Thai, Chinese, and European architectural styles, set ...

 Bangkok - I went to CentraWorld to have dinner and came across this Issan cuisine and tried that unique cuisine.  Issan special noodles Ant egg soup I wanted to try something unique - Issan Ant egg soup.  Ant egg soup is a traditional dish in Isan, the northeastern region of Thailand. Ant eggs, also known as khai mot daeng in Thai, are a delicacy in Isan cuisine and are often used in soups, salads, and omelets.   I could not finish the soup as the smell foul and the taste was not familiar.   I just ate the mushrooms and left the soup much unfinished. Santol desert Santol, also known as cotton fruit, is a Thai fruit that can be used in desserts.  The flesh looks like meat but it tasted sweet - a really nice dish.

 Bangkok - I arrived late into Bangkok and asked my hotel concierge where can I find good food and was recommended Ban Tad Thong street food.  It is quite near to my current hotel and the place has many restaurants.    I walked around to find an interesting restaurant to have my dinner and came to Leng Zabb, the place of volcano ribs. The next table to mine has an insane huge volcano ribs that was like 3ft piled high for around 10 people.  Mine was small but still lots to finish.  Leng Zabb Volcano ribs filled with chillis The owner of Leng Zabb It was an enjoyable dinner.

Singapore - I was at EduTech Asia Singapore for 2 days and was fortunate to have my 2 good friends flew in from Malaysia to help me - Donny & Edward.  At 6.30pm, the event organiser had drinks and finger food to thank the sponsors.   Finger foods like satay, mashed potatos and lots more....drinks were free flowing.   A good time with friends.