Discover Ancient Thai Kingdoms: Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Lampang - Paperback

by Sheila Simkin (Author)

It seems like some people work their entire live so they can take an Exotic Vacation, when in reality, such a trip can be had for less than taking the family to DisneyWorld. Let Travels With Sheila teach you how to Travel the World on a Budget, share exotic locations with you known only to locals, and most importantly, ease your fears about languages, currencies, personal safety and staying healthy. If this is not your first visit to Thailand. If you've been there, and done it all - Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the Golden Triangle, sampled a few of its renowned golden Beaches and Islands - swing by comparatively less-visited Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Lampang. Mention this to some people and you'll get a blank stare, "Why would you want to see Historical Cities? What do they have to offer?" Spending time in Thailand's Three Ancient, and Historical Cities, is nothing like touring "historical sights" in Europe, i.e. Dry facts, guides spouting...and then so-and-so fought so-and so...and then so-and-so took over so-and so...followed by the great-grand-nephew of so-and so-who then warred on... No, no, and no. Prepare for an easier, gentler immersion into Thai History. Walk, bicycle or tuk-tuk over acres of peaceful Historical Parks with no motorized traffic....small, gigantic, standing, and reclining Buddhas, serenely gaze down on you...Burmese, Khymer, Lana, and Singhalese-style Temples, Chedi/Stupa and pillars are scattered throughout, remnants of the 800-year old Siamese Kingdom...and quietly hum a few bars from "The King and I," even though the Thai people considered the movie disrespectful. Add the fabulous Bang Pa-in Palace, Wat Phanan Choeng's Golden Buddha, and House of Many Pillars into your itinerary while making your way north towards Chiang Mai. HERE'S SOME OF THE INFORMATION YOU'LL FIND INSIDE... - Easy Basics For Visiting Thailand. - The Dos and Don'ts of Independent Travel. - How to Save Big Money Without Sleeping With Fleas. - What to See and Do. Now, Travels With Sheila tells it like it is with the personalized, up-to-date information and photographs you need to make the most of your trip to Thailand. See the best of Thailand's Historical Cities by following her travel tips.

Author Biography

Sheila Simkin, a native Chicagoan, has been traveling the world since 1960. The travel bug first hit on her honeymoon in Miami. Fidel Castro had just taken over Cuba and lured by rock-bottom prices, Sheila sweet-talked her ex-husband into abandoning Miami for Cuba. That marked the beginning of her lifetime travel passion and addiction. There are very few countries that are not on her to-see list no matter how remote and/or difficult they may be with many, "What was I thinking of" moments in hindsight. The U.S. State Department recognizes 193 independent countries and she has visited over 150 in over 40 years of travel (but...who's counting). Touring, hiking, trekking, rafting, snowshoeing, skiing, volunteering on archaeological digs, family trips and, she must admit, occasionally sitting on a beach and compulsively shopping. Her goal is to encourage you to take the big step and travel to more exotic, remote destinations with tips, anecdotes and reassurance that, yes, you will come back alive. Visit her "travelswithsheila" channel on YouTube to watch over 1,400 videos filmed around the world and covering the gamut from taking a cruise to camping in Egypt's desert, food (fried tarantulas, anyone?), sights and even instructions on how to navigate subways in Paris and Beijing. All Travels With Sheila Guides will tell you the truth, and only the whole truth, about each country and whether sights are a hit, or a miss. Follow Sheila's advice to avoid making mistakes she learned the hard way. For example, not knowing that an important piece of equipment when camping or trekking is...an AIR MATTRESS? A never to be forgotten experience spent in a sleeping bag on the cold, hard ground of Nepal. And what kind of crazy idiot goes trekking in Siberia and gets lost? Really...lost in Siberia? Only Sheila. Happy traveling!