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Published: February 24th 2008
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Woke up at 8am and decided to have a bit of shop around to see if we could find any better or cheaper accommodation (our's was a litlle bit grotty but clean) however turns out ours was a pretty good deal - plus the beds were the softest - so decided to stay at the great Smile House.
We had breakfast in the restaurant (2 pounds for all you can eat - think I like it here) and then headed out to do some sight seeing of the great old city.
The old city is surrounded by a moat and has 4 walls or 'entrance gates' around the perimeter. At the bottom of the road where we were staying was one of the gates so we had a wander and saw there was a sunday market there aswell. After a bit of a half hearted nosey (it was too hot to shop) we decided to go and look at some of the Wat's. They are so stunning, they must have took ages to build and some of them are gold!
After a wander around the centre we stumbled across the Monk Univeristy, which also happens to be the
site of one of the oldest and largest temple in the city - before an earthquake reduced it to a ruin.
However it was still quite interesting to look at and in the grounds there is also an opportunity to go and have a chat with a Monk! We didn't as we were shy, plus would not know what to say (he would have to start from the beginning to explain buddism to us and didn't think he'd have the time or patience). Aparently they like to do this to practice their english.
We did learn some fascinating facts though, like Monks are forbidden to touch women (if you want to pass them somthing you have to place it down and they will pick it up). Also that in Thailand every male becomes a monk for a period of time in their lives. Usually this is when they are on a break going into high school for a couple of weeks, then some choose to continue with it later in their lives. It also brings honour to the family when the son practises. See, getting more and more cultured everyday!
We're all 'Wat'ed' out after this so decide
to have a wander into the new town, but the heat gets to us and we have to stop for a fresh orange juice break. After a chat we discover that we have pretty much seen all the sights we want to see, apart from the night market. There are a lot of trekking options up here which is the main reason why people travel to the North, however I know it sounds ignorant but we're not that bothered about them. Plus we have read and heard that they have become very touristy too.
Therefore we decide that we are going to head back to Bangkok tomorrow to continue with our sight seeing in the central part, then we can head down to the Islands to enjoy the beaches!
We walk back to the old city and at the gate notice a lady selling birds in little bamboo nests. You are supposed to buy them and release them back into the wild and by doing so this gives you a merit for the afterlife. Thinking we need all the help we can get, we each buy and pair and released them - it did feel quite good actually
(must be all the spiritual things taking a hold on me).
There was one last sight we wanted to see which was the 3 kings monument (exactly what it says on the tin - 3 statues of men) then after a well derserved beer we headed back to our room to shower and change ready for the night market.
After initially walking straight past the opening, we found the market which was rows upon rows of stalls on the streets - mum you would love it! (dad, maybe not so much as mum would be there for hours).
We had some fun bartering for prices (they are presents we bought!) then got some food in the food hall. They has live performances going on including a tribal fight which was really good, like watching TV at home whilst eating your tea.
Afterwards we got a Tuk Tuk to a bar on the river that Di had read about called the 'Riverside'. It was very chilled out, all light by candles and had live bands on that changed every 45 minutes.
As a treat we had some cocktails, then after we had broke our record at
Setting the birds free
I now have a merit for the afterlife - should bea good thing! 1am we got another tuk tuk back ready for sleep - result!
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