Ayuthaya...Day 2

We hired bicycles today to visit some to the temples and ruins around town.

The first was Wat Ratburana which was built for 2 Princes who wanted the throne after the King's death, but died fighting each other in battle. We walked down into the crypt which has 600 year old murals painted on the walls.

Wat Mongkhon Bophit was used for royal cremations and has one of the largest bronze Buddhas in Thailand which is completly covered in gold.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the site of the Royal Palace and there are 3 chedis which contain the remains of 3 Kings. Beautiful ruins but most of it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767.

Wat Lokayasutharam is an amazing reclining Buddha draped in orange cloth. It is 37 metres long and 8 metres tall.

Wat Na Phra Meru was the only temple that wasn't destroyed during the Burmese invasion. There was an emormus gold Lord Buddha dressed as a prince which is very rare. Next door there was a little temple with a 1300 year old Buddha made from green stone. We bought 2 amulets there and one of the monks blessed them for us for protection.

The Chedi of Queen Suriyothai holds the ashes of a Queen who went to battle on an elephant dressed as a man because she was worried about her husband. She was killed by the Burmese General.



Going to check out a few more ruins tomorrow before we catch the overnight bus to Chiang Mai.