We manage it though and with the delight of the iPhone and the fact I have managed to hold onto it this time means I can talk to them in the garden of the GH house, even being able to show the girls the Koi carp.
We had a lovely chat and after telling them about my meditation retreat Kate asked me what a monk was and in my best simplistic terms I tried to explain but I think it went a little over her head! Sometimes it goes over mine too! ;-)
Sukhothai
So I was then off to Sukhothai for the cultural and historical part of this part of my trip.
Sukhothai
The ancient city of Sukhothai is around 15km from the new city and to get there I needed to get a shared van ride. It was almost 9am (!) by now and I was a bit concerned that I could be the last person there and have to pay for a private ride once again. Fortunately though a French couple and a Dutch trio were also on a similar time zone to me and we all went together.
The journey to the old city took around 20 minutes and once we got there apparently the best way to see the sights of the sites is by pushbike, well that’s ok cause after all the rice, curries and fried noodles I’ve been eating lately I could really do with the exercise!
Sukhothai
The area is amazing, not too dissimilar to Angkor in Cambodia although in size, a massive difference. There were a handful of independent tourists travelling around on bikes and then there were large groups of French tourists being taken around all the sites in vans. The immediate area of the old city is on a bit of a cycle loop and annoyingly they seemed to have started at the same time as me and at each temple we arrived at the same time! I wouldn’t mind so much if I could speak French and had any idea of what they were saying, but I don’t!
Sukhothai
After we had all navigated the ancient city there was a whole extended surrounding area to be seen in our own way and in our own time.
As many of you may know I’m really not a major fan of cycling but I’ve had a lot of good food to work off! Stupidly though as I was so busy trying to sort out the video chat with Pete as well as getting ready to head out I somehow managed to forget to put on any sunscreen! A whole day cycling in 32 degrees of heat with no sunscreen! That really is asking for trouble! After the second wat I finally gave in and came across, once again, the Dutch trio and fortunately one of them had a little bit of face sunscreen, the rest of me might have to burn though…..I’ll let you know! But at least my face might survive the day’s cycle ride.
Feeding catfish!
I have to say, enjoyable though the day was, next time I swear I’m going to go for one with an engine!! It’s way too hot out here for too much physical exercise!
Back in New Sukhothai I attempt to make more forward plans before heading to the local street market for dinner.
Tomorrow, I’ve eventually decided, is going to be the train to Bangkok (hopefully, if I can get a ticket!) to then try and secure my onward travel to Phuket to meet Amanda and Erin. Annoyingly I can’t seem to book this journey online hence I’m heading straight to Bangkok to see what happens when I get there.
This is good, on a tree in a temple!
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