Ayuthaya - Thailand's ancient capital

Capital of Siam (modern-day Thailand) from 1350 until its destruction by the invading Burmese army in 1767, Ayuthaya is now a UNESCO world heritage-listed site.

Sadly, there are few intact Buddha statues and only a handful of what was once 400 temples have been restored. However, it is still possible to get a real sense of how magnificent Ayuthaya must have been in its prime.

This Buddha head in the tight embrace of a banyan tree is one of the most enduring icons of Ayuthaya.

The corncob-shaped structure in the background is a Khymer-style prasat (residence of a king or god).  Earlier in the day I saw one at Bang Pa-In Palace that had been built by King Chulalongkorn in 1880 and dedicated to King Prasart Thong of  Ayuthaya.

Many of the buildings are on quite a strong lean and would definitely not survive volcanic and seismic activity, such  as Indonesia experiences in Jogya, near the temples of Pranbaran and Borobudur. 

Some of the smaller statues at Wat Na Phra, one of the few temples to survive, because the Burmese army used it as their base.

This green sandstone Buddha in a shrine adjoiing Wat Na Phra Meru is Sri Lankan and 1500 years old.

Making offerings at the entrance of the temple housing the Sri Lankan Buddha.

In the same entry as above, a trio of adenium.

Detail of a niche on the exterior of the main building Wat Na Phra Meru

The reclining Buddha (Budhasaiyart) at Wat Lokayasutha

Lotus offerings to the reclining Buddha

A nearby vegetable patch

More lotus for sale as offerings at the adjoining stalls.

My digs in Old Bangkok

'Position, position, position' is everything in real estate, and while the same holds true to a large extent with accommodation, there are many other important qualities needed to make a memorable stay.

I have only been to Bangkok once before and that was quite some time ago, and I attribute the fact that it wasn't a particularly great experience to having picked a bland, budget chain hotel straight from a package tour brochure. It also seemed to be a long way from everything. Over the years I have become a bit smarter in my selection process, and it has worked well again for me on this visit. 

The Old Bangkok Inn is the other end of the spectrum from my recent 'opulence on a budget' discovery, The Phoenix in Jogyakarta that I wrote about here. It is more a B&B than a hotel, but it has a charm all its own and ticks lots of my boxes.  

Unless that lotto win is forthcoming, I will always be a budget traveler, so cost is an important consideration. I also prefer 'small' (multi-storied chains are way too much like a work trip), somewhere with character (ditto re work trips), that's well located, safe and has helpful staff (really important when you are traveling solo and need advice or someone to discuss travel options with). 

Old Bangkok has ten rooms that start at just under $100, including a great breakfast. It is really well located near the Democracy Monument and the Queen's Gallery, and virtually opposite Wat Ratchanadda and the Golden Mountain.  And, I kid you not, as I was writing this, there was a tap on the door from one of the staff who had heard me coughing and brought in a hot honey and lemon juice!

I love the urn-shaped wire light fitting on the reception desk.

That's my room dead ahead (and more great wire light fittings).

There's a small courtyard through the french windows, but this room (Lemongrass) is 'cosy' - probably not ideal for two (with two suitcases)

Antiques given a contemporary twist in the bathroom

On the outside looking in,

and on the inside looking out!

I came out one morning to find this gorgeous arrangement beside the reception desk (that's the gracious owner Nantiya in the background). They looked too perfect to be real.

Closer inspection revealed them to be white lotus blooms where the outer petals had been folded inwards. Talk about attention to detail!

Divine!

Jim Thompson's House, Bangkok

As my plane arrived after 8 on Tuesday evening, I have really only had two days to explore Bangkok before I head south for my R&R at the beach, so the pressure has been on to make the most of it.

Number One on my to-do list this trip was a visit to Jim Thompson's House, and, although quite a long taxi ride from my hotel, I was able to beat the traffic by taking advantage of Bangkok's extensive waterways and jumping on a boat from a nearby jetty.

A little background... Jim Thompson was an American born in 1906.  Before the onset of World War II, he practiced as an architect. During the war, he served briefly in Thailand, fell in love with the culture, and resolved to make Bangkok his permanent home. He played an important role in the revival of the silk trade in Thailand and built up an important collection of Thai art. This extended to collecting parts of derelict Thai homes which were brought to the site and reassembled as his residence, providing an authentic and beautiful setting for his art and antiquities. He opened the house and art collection to the public to support Thai charities and the country's cultural heritage, and this has continued, despite his mysterious disappearance in Malaysia's Cameron Highlands in 1967.

The visit to Jim Thompson's House definitely lived up to my expectations, and I would highly recommend it if you are planning a trip to Bangkok. Besides the house and art collection and the surrounding gardens, there is a gift shop and restaurant. Compulsory tours in several languages are held at regular intervals.

First impressions

In an unrelated post, I previously identified this as Dracena draco. I am now more inclined to think it's a  Cordyline (australis?)  Any other suggestions?

I still haven't found a water feature I could resist. Here pink frangipani blooms are teamed with Water Lettuce  Pistia stratiotes and a couple of lotus blooms in a stunning blue pot.

The koi pool

Here it is again...

Lotus bloom with lotus leaves

 and with Water Lettuce

I like the foliage of this plant and its interesting ragged leaf edges but have no idea what it is.

The property's Spirit House - this is a shrine erected for the displaced spirit of the land when a house is erected.

Unfortunately, it wasn't permitted to take photos inside, but the photo below, taken from outside, shows the middle of the central living room, and there are rooms to either side.  To the left, rooms included the dining room and pantry, as well as the staircase, while to the right were the bedroom/s.