Chulalongkorn and I don't care

We splurged and went to a traditional Thai dance show. Dinner was included and there was a living history village to walk through. Delightful--Thai dance is so fun to watch. Hyper extended fingers, bent knees, pleasant looking faces, flexed feet and hamstrings. In the village, Soren got to pull a boiled silkworm coccoon into a long string of raw silk. Thai silk is not as fine as Chinese silk, but the country is really trying to promote it better. No pics of dancing because photos weren't allowed. Being here, I see a lot of similarities between Thai and traditional Hawaiian culture. Similar dance, hospitality and manners, language sounds, focus on good food, manner of dress etc.

The next day we took a day trip to Ayuttaya, the second capital city of Thailand before Bangkok. Chulalongkorn (Anna's student) built a summer palace here. Lots of European influence in the architecture.

This pavillion in the pond is an exact replica of the Grand Palace of Chula's father. Thailand is still a constitutional monarchy and people seem to be very happy with the present king. The king and queen have 4 children--3 daughters and a son. The son is not respected like the father--something about him owning lots of discos. I didn't catch the whole story. So there is the likelihood that the oldest daughter will ascend the throne which seemed fine with the conservative Muslim and Hindu students I was talking to. I guess she is very intelligent with a "good character" which was most important to the students. If she does ascend, she will be Thailand's first female monarch.

The grounds at the summer palace are manicured like the French gardens. I love the elephant topiaries. This is the national tree of Thailand, the "golden shower" tree. The drier it is, the more flowers there are.

Ayuttaya was built in the 1300's but has come to near ruin. The structures all were covered with cement but the moisture and lack of preservation efforts have really taken its toll. Many of the stuppas are leaning due to soggy ground giving way. UNESCO listed it as a world heritage site and is now getting some of the TLC it deserves.

One of the Buddha statues' heads came off and has grown into this Bodhi tree. It a cool effect knowing that it was a Bodhi tree he sat under when he attained Enlightenment.

Thai is a well-designed written language. So pretty.

Outdoor reclining Buddha. It seems you can show your devotion to Buddha by building a large or gold, or otherwise ornate statues and buildings. They are attractive.