Sukothai - a bike ride through history
Trip Start
Aug 21, 2007
1
5
27
Trip End
Dec 20, 2007
Phitsanulok,
Thailand
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sadly Regine got diarrhoea and vomiting on our arrival in Phitsanulok, half way between Chiang Mai and Bangkok by train. Of all things it was probably her absolute favorite Thai dish: Papaya salad. So she was out flat for 2 days and did not leave our room in the London Hotel Guesthouse. While Regine stayed in I filled visited the major temple in Phitsanulok which is not exciting and took the bus to explore the ancient Thai capital Sokuthai (No1 bus from train to bus station, then bus straight to Sukothai old city - as always the condutors are very helpful and will tell you when you're there - off the tourist track you won't find many places with romanic characters, although thankfully they still use arabic numbers which helps when you need a price guideline).
The best way to explore the ancient temples is by bike and despite 2 consecutive flat tyres I managed to see everything I had wanted to
6.00am - monks collecting food donations
. Greates hit here: the huge sitting Buddha of Wat Chum. On the way back I met 3 Thai humanity and language students at the bus stop. They interviewed me for a project on tourism and I was very impressed with one of the girls who not only spoke excellent English, but also knew an amazing amount about European football and geography, and introduced me to Singaporean and Thai politics.
On my return Regine was able to walk and eat again and after her first meal we treated ourselves to a foot massage at a lovely new massage barge moored on the river.
Next stop: the abundant wildlife and primeval jungles of Khao Yai National Park!
