Exchange Students’ Trip to Ayutthaya:
Thailand’s World Heritage
Before today, Ayutthaya was one of the many mysterious destinations of Thailand for most of the exchange students. We heard names like “the old capital” and “the ancient city” but ultimately, like most of our experiences here, we were both surprised and exhilarated by what this city really means to the Thai people.
On Sunday, 7 o clock sharp, or 7.15 for some still operating on Thai time, about 40 exchange students proudly adorning our matching polo’s met at the front gate of Thammasat to begin the adventure. The first stop would be Bang Pa-In, or the summer palace. This late 1800s summer get away for Thai royalty was a real treat to walk through. Students flashed their cameras every fifth second trying to capture all the subtleties of the venue. From the largest and most aggressive fishpond I have ever seen, to the Chinese style King’s quarters and finally up the heights of the Portuguese lookout point, I was in awe that the area was open to the public. In a balance that only Thailand has mastered, the royalty had constructed a place where they can relax in the serenity of traditional Thai architecture mixed with the beauty of foreign influence, be it Asian, European, or anywhere else in the world.
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Only a 45-minute bus ride, which went by quickly thanks so Peter’s tidbits on the surrounding area, took us to the main attraction, Ayutthaya, the ancient capital city. We began at Wat Mahatad and the group was overwhelmed by the hundreds of Buddha statues and the amazing ease with which we were allowed to navigate the area on own, a stark contrast to the strict American tourists sites I’ve become so used to. We spent the better part of three hours poking in and out of various ruins, taking pictures and learning about the history from the literature and helpful locals around us. The highlight of the trip for me personally occurred at Wihan Phramongkhon when we were notified that the film Mortal Combat 2 was filmed the very place we were standing, very cool for a child of the video game generation! We ended our tour of the city with a walk through the local market and a couple taste tests of various Thai desserts.
By this time we were all getting a little bit tired. The bus made its way over to a much need Grand Pearl Cruise, where we ate an absolutely fantastic lunch of our favorite Thai foods. The three-hour trip down the Thailand’s River of King was a great way to relax, see some of the Bangkok scenery from a new angle and connect with other BBA exchange students.
Overall, this trip was fun, exciting and relaxing all at the same time. Most importantly, though, it was an excellent opportunity to travel with other interested foreigner’s to some of the lesser known, and most beautiful, places Thailand has to offer. The rich history and beautiful architecture makes this a trip no student, or tourist, should miss.
By Mr. Matthew Zielke
Incoming Exchange Student, Ohio State University, USA
Posted date: August 27, 2010 – 10:00 hrs. |
