On our last full day in Thailand, we hopped aboard a bus and headed north for a day-long trip to the ancient city of Ayutthaya. In the mid-17th century, it was a city of more than a million people -- but this Golden Age came to a close when the Burmese attacked, setting fire to the temples, carting off the gold and leveling important buildings such as the kings palace. What remains today are a few ruins scattered among grassy fields. At one of the stops the guide gathered us at this particular place so we could see the three influences on the region's architecture which are in the picture to the right:

• On the left side of the photo, the sharp-pointed pinnacle atop bell-shape, called a chedi, is of Ceylonese influence. 

• In the middle, the rounder, corn-cob shaped stupa shows Cambodian influence and is called a prang. 

• And on the right, the sharp-pointed pinnacle atop square shape, known as a chedi, a distinct Thai style. 

The Buddha head in the tree is another major attraction. After attaining enlightenment, Buddha is believed to have sat under a banyan tree for seven days, absorbed in his newfound realization. This head of a Buddha statue has been incorporated into the roots and life of this tree ver many centuries.