Blogs from Sukhothai, North-West Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 17

We spent another day in Chiang Mai checking out all of the markets, we were wandering around the stalls at the night market when we walked past a stall selling dvds/cds and he was playing a song by the Finn brothers, we both started to mouth the words to the song and the guy selling stuff just looked at us, smiled and said "kiwis" The following day we caught a local bus down to Sukhothai. When we arrived we were hustled onto the back of a ute taxi and were told by the driver that accommodation would be very hard to find as apparently about 10,000 Thai people had descended here for some kind of ceremony (a scam to get us to stay at his accommodation), we did struggle to see these extra 10,000 people floating ... read more

Sukhotai is a national historic park filled with wat ruins from the Sukhotai kingdom, from the 1200s. It is a huge park so the easiest way to get around is to rent a bike (or a motorcycle but I figure I should learn to ride one before renting one). The ruins were beautiful and the setting they were in made the day great. An idyllic park with ancient ruins that remind you of greek or roman ruins. Until you realize they are only 800 years old. But still older than what you will find in the states. The following are some highlights from some the wat ruins. The first set of ruins, Wat Mahathat, was huge. There were at least six large sitting buddhas and I saw my first standing buddhas. There were stupas all over ... read more

We took a bus from Chiang Mai to Sukhotai. It was about 6 hours and not very comfortable - we will try to use the train in future. In Sukhotai we went to the Sukhotai Historical Park. This is the remains of the 'old city' which is about 700 years old. It is very large, we rented a bike to get around the park. It was very impressive (but very hot). We left Sukhotai this morning (1 hour by bus) to get to Phitsanuluk - we are resting here today and taking a train tomorrow to Lopburi. -Matt... read more

Ok. So I like nature. But I like my creature comforts as well. Here's how to combine the two... Leaving Bangkok two days ago, we (ie. my 8-person tour group and I) travelled approximately 5 hours by train, then another hour by songteaw (meaning 'two rows'- so basically a pick-up truck with two long benches in the back) to the smaller city of Sukhothai in the north. We were dropped off at our accommodation, which consists of a group of wooden bungalows in what looks like a tropical rainforest setting- it's really quite serene and nice. However, like all rainforests, there also exists a whole bunch of wildlife residing where you least expect it... After checking out our very simple bungalow, with two single beds covered in mozzie net (as I soon discovered, this is highly ... read more

Bangkok bus station 8 am, I walk out of the 7/11 supermarket and it seems like somebody has pushed the 'still' button on the world. A big hall full of people and nobody moves and all have their arms straight next to their body. What is going on? ... hey... there is some music playing... and than it hits me: this is the national anthem and I am supposed to do the same thing... Sukhothai Lonely planet advised not to stay in this town as it is 'as attractive as a pair of old gym socks'. Went there anyway and it was awesome. Accidentally end up in a great hostel, which has a Tom Boonen (Belgian cyclist) on the bathroom door. Sukhothai is known for the ruins of the first Thai Capital from 14th century if ... read more