Ang Thong, located 40 kilometers away from Ayutthaya, is a place where English is rarely spoken, making it challenging to book a Grab ride. Surprisingly, it boasts the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand, along with the largest outdoor reclining Buddha. Despite having such remarkable cultural treasures, tourism hasn't flourished here, probably due to transportation difficulties and the scattered nature of the temples.
Spent a full two days exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site.
A century ago, Thailand's waterways were even more developed than its roads. Today, many places in Thailand still maintain the traditional way of life in the countryside by the water. One such place is the Damnoen Saduak floating market, which has a history of over a hundred years.
My first dream of 2023 has finally come true!
On my last day in Malaysia, after leaving the Petronas Twin Towers with a pack of coconut rice that I bought at the station, I returned to Merdeka Square, where I had first arrived after getting off the plane.
After arriving in Malaysia, I went into "super eater" mode. I started eating five meals a day, including snacks and desserts in between. On my first visit, I couldn't wait to indulge in all the delicious Malaysian cuisine I had been yearning for. Plus, with the current exchange rate, it felt like I was getting a 26% discount. In a moment as good as this, of course, I should indulge and enjoy to the fullest!
Arriving at this long-anticipated World Heritage Site, I felt just as excited as I did on the first day of a journey far from home. During the Age of Exploration, Malacca became a highly contested region in the past due to its strategic location for both trade and military purposes. As a result, it has many cultural influences from colonizers. Among all the cities in Malaysia, Malacca is the place I most want to visit.
On the first day of 2023, I want to achieve new heights and gain a broader view!
Seeing the Lord Murugan statue in front of Batu Caves gives me a feeling of being back to India!
Among the Chinatowns I have seen before, Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur is the liveliest and most diverse.