Well since leaving Chiang Mai I'm beginning to feel a bit Wat'ed out! I just visted Sukhothai historical park - the ruins of the first capital of Thailand and where the Thai language comes from. I arrived in the New Sukhothai the early evening and checked in before making my way down to the weekend food festival. There were stalls from many businesses and small opeartors and I ate delicious food for really cheap prices. After an early night I headed out the old city of Sukhothai and hired a bicycle. There are hundreds fo ruins around and riding a bike around the area was a great way to see all the different areas and visit nearly all the ruins.
There were many Chinese celebrations going on in New Sukhothai that night - a family celebration for the new year I think.. I ate yummy street food before another early night.
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The following morning I got myself a motorscooter and headed out for Si Satchanalai which was another important city in the area during the time Sukhothai was the capital. It was a 60km ride and seemed to take longer to get there than get back but I thought it was really great. Although not as big as Sukhothai it was a lot more relaxed and had a much more natural setting. Of course there were much less tour groups and other vistors and it was layed out over a larger space and was great. The temples were in better condition and also showed more architectual styles. There is some local styles as well as Khmer and Sri Lankan temples in the area. It didn't take me too long to look around on the scooter so I was back to New Sukhothai in the afternoon and got a bus to Arruthaya arriving late that night.
Arruthaya I think was the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai and there is a UNESCO Historical Park situated throughout the current city. I had a bit of a sleep in but again hired a scooter to get out and have a look at the many Wats and temples around the city. The temples here are in better shape than those in Sukhotahi, but they are a also bit newer. There are some great Buddha statues here - one is the largest in Thailand and some other beautiful old ones. It's funny but I tried to take photos of the one I liked the best and the same thing has happened that occurred in the historical park I visited a few weeks ago and the shots have come out all blurred (maybe I'm shaking too much!). So as mentioned I'm nearly overloaded on the Wat and temple stakes and are heading to good old Bangkok to relax by a pool for a couple of days. Of course I will have to visit the major Wat's there too but the further south I get the warmer it is getting too and I'm stuggling a bit with the heat. All my friends in Melbourne are probably jealous of the fact that I've been a bit cooler and the fires down there sound pretty full on so I won't complain too much! I must admit I'm not enjoying Thailand as much as my other destinations.. It's much further developed and I can't help but feeling a bit like I'm just lloked at like a wallet. Of course there are some lovely local people but also plenty looking to make money!
There were many Chinese celebrations going on in New Sukhothai that night - a family celebration for the new year I think.. I ate yummy street food before another early night.
>
The following morning I got myself a motorscooter and headed out for Si Satchanalai which was another important city in the area during the time Sukhothai was the capital. It was a 60km ride and seemed to take longer to get there than get back but I thought it was really great. Although not as big as Sukhothai it was a lot more relaxed and had a much more natural setting. Of course there were much less tour groups and other vistors and it was layed out over a larger space and was great. The temples were in better condition and also showed more architectual styles. There is some local styles as well as Khmer and Sri Lankan temples in the area. It didn't take me too long to look around on the scooter so I was back to New Sukhothai in the afternoon and got a bus to Arruthaya arriving late that night.
Arruthaya I think was the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai and there is a UNESCO Historical Park situated throughout the current city. I had a bit of a sleep in but again hired a scooter to get out and have a look at the many Wats and temples around the city. The temples here are in better shape than those in Sukhotahi, but they are a also bit newer. There are some great Buddha statues here - one is the largest in Thailand and some other beautiful old ones. It's funny but I tried to take photos of the one I liked the best and the same thing has happened that occurred in the historical park I visited a few weeks ago and the shots have come out all blurred (maybe I'm shaking too much!). So as mentioned I'm nearly overloaded on the Wat and temple stakes and are heading to good old Bangkok to relax by a pool for a couple of days. Of course I will have to visit the major Wat's there too but the further south I get the warmer it is getting too and I'm stuggling a bit with the heat. All my friends in Melbourne are probably jealous of the fact that I've been a bit cooler and the fires down there sound pretty full on so I won't complain too much! I must admit I'm not enjoying Thailand as much as my other destinations.. It's much further developed and I can't help but feeling a bit like I'm just lloked at like a wallet. Of course there are some lovely local people but also plenty looking to make money!
2 comments:
Neil, where are you, when are you coming back. I need you to migrate those apps (no I'm not kidding) Email me. xxCass
Where to next BP? Your tales fill me with wunderlust.
Take care
San x
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