Phitsanulok
Trip Start
Oct 27, 2007
1
14
30
Trip End
Apr 01, 2008
Phitsanulok,
Thailand
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Its amazing the difference in quality and price the futher north you go. We had a delicious breakfast yesterday in the muslim district at a little place called Koh-Ka-Resh, veg curry and the best rotti we have had with two big cokes all for just over a pound!! Wasn't sure how I was going to get on with curry for breakfast, but it was yummy. Spent yesterday at the ruins in Sukhothai, which is the original capital of new Thailand, filled with 12th and 13th century temples and monuments. Some of the Budda images are huge, and the temple ruins are impressive, the place was pretty tranquile with minimal tourist encounters. The ruins are spread over a fair few kilometers so we hired a couple of chopper style 'Turbo' bikes and enjoyed a leisurely cycle around leafy grounds. We had a great afternoon, ringing our bells and waving at all the unbelievably friendly and smiley passers by. If you have a horn, bell or whistle here you make as much noise as possible, and if your lucky enough to have a megaphone you shout and shout and shout, it is so funny!!!
After getting the bus back we walked along the river front, which had lots of extravagant decorations for the kings birthday celebrations on Wednesday. The Thai people are devote royalists, and everyone is currently wearing yellow and pink t-shirts with the royal emblem on. There are huge pictures of the king everywhere and there are many stalls selling royal paraphinalia. This place is going to go off the scale on Wednesday, when we will be in Chiang Mai, it should be a hell of a do!!!
Whilst taking in the pretty river scene's we heard some boomingly loud techno tunes, coming from the walled area above us. Which turned out to be a massive stage and speakers, with an aerobic instructor and about 3-400 followers!!! It was hilarious, everyone in shellsuits, leg warmers, sweat bands, jumping and pumping around the square. We then saw or rather heard, one of the kareoke boats passing under the bridge, a very strange idea, but apparently very popular with Japanese tourists and locals alike. We then headed for some thing to eat, there is a great night market along the riverbank, selling some delicious foods, some live music and some good clothes stalls (selling some original pieces rather than the monotany of billibong, lacoste etc found elsewhere). We had read about a local vegtable, a bit like spinach, which is stir-fried and then flung through the air to be caught by the waiter on a plate. However if you are lucky enough you can find them doing this with the waiter on the roof of a transit van about 20ft away from the chef preparing and throwing the veg!! We were lucky enough to find a tour group arrive and watched the spectacle, as well as some silly Belguim tourists attempt this. Very funny, and quite bizarre. The tourists were dressed up in a red hula skirt, fake boobs, a green willy, and some of the spinach like veg strapped to their head, I think the locals were taking the piss!!!
All in all a very strange and funny night. I would recommend a stop off in Phitsanulok on a Saturday night to break up a journey further north. We have had a good couple of days here, and it was all pretty cheap.
Getting the train up to Chiang Mai this afternoon, which takes about 7 hours. Second class again as the sleeper train was fully booked. Going to be a bit more prepared for the cold carriage this time, sweater and socks at the ready. We have got to go straight to the Indian embassy in the morning as we have still got to sort out our Indian visa's, apparently its pretty easy from Chiang Mai, although its the kings Birthday on Wednesday so that could slow things up by a day. We will end up a little behind scedule for getting into Laos, but we may be able to use some of our Cambodia time.
Having great fun and really looking forward to Chiang Mai. Hope all is well at home.
Love
Shells and Peeps
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