Day 43: 12/31/23 - New Years Eve in Ayutthaya
After finishing the packing we started the night before, we walked over to the national museum, enjoying a Phuket doughnut and Thai Tea on the way.
In addition to the expected paraphernalia and fancy chairs of various kings and leaders gone by, it included a genuine focus on techniques, both ancient and modern. Mother of pearl and enamel technique demonstrations were included in their respective rooms filled with items of the like, adding another dimension to their viewing. The other unexpected highlight was the airplane-hangar-like housing of a variety of larger-than-life, ornate carts used in royal funeral processions. While we had budgeted a whole 2 hours, we will definitely have to return in the future, there were whole buildings we didn't get to see!
One of the things we have learned on this trip is Kaia is a bit of a magpie: mother-of-pearl being one of her favorites!
Attaching pieces, covering in lacquer, filling in with lacquer paste, sanding and polishing down: Thai mother-of-pearl techniques differ from Chinese techniques where the design is carved out before the MoP is fit in.
Golden carts used in funerary procession: youtube link
The "stoves" for the three woks Jay Fai works simultaneously. Cool, but covered in grease, on a rare day off.
A quick Grab to the train station, and a 90-minute, open-air train ride later, we arrived in Ayutthaya. We dropped our stuff at our hotel, swung by a travel agent to grab some bus tickets for upcoming travel, and stopped for some noodle soup.
The main attraction of Ayutthaya are the remnants of the ancient capital (before it was moved to Bangkok). Having a full day to explore them the next day, we weren't expecting to see any, but Wat Ratchaburana was open and beautifully lit next to the weekend night market we had made our destination for the evening. The crumbling stone and brick littered with statues and smaller structures was beautiful in the uncharacteristically
chilly night.
Enjoying the ride to Ayutthaya, blissfully unaware that we are sitting in the monks' section, and will be ~encouraged~ off the train at our stop by an elderly monk.
Night at the Historic Temple Park!
Ayutthaya's weekly night market landed on NYE this year, with food, crafts, and music!