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We visited Bangkok for several days in mid-November to see David's old friends and establish new connections with Rangsit University's International College. While in Bangkok we took a day-trip to visit the ancient capital of Ayuthya (Janet's first visit there ever, David's first in more than 30 years). The city was Siam's capital from 1350 to 1787, when it was finally attacked, captured, and destroyed by the Burmese army with its thousands of war elephants. Old Ayuthya was surrounded by a moat and high brick walls, which the Burmese army had to overwhelm. It still today has literally hundreds of old temples, "chedis" (tall round chimneys in an Angkor/Cambodian style), Buddha images, and brick walls. After seeing Ayuthya (and nearby Bang Pa In, see other website page) we returned to Bangkok on a cruise boat along the Chao Phya River.
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| A typical Ayuthya scene, showing the remains of the old temples and chedis. Views like these stretch out in all directions. |
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| View through an opening in one of the many brick walls. |
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| No Burmese war elephants were in sight, but these guys are available for tourists to ride (we didn't). |
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| The view in another direction. |
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| Many of the ancient Buddha images are headless, but this lovely one has been restored to a semblance of its former glory. |
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| This lovely young woman made music on a traditional Siamese instrument. |
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