Cannonball

After an early night in Bangkok (?!), we got our gear together and jumped in a cab to the cities North bus terminal. Like a mini-airport, the locals rely on buses way more than us in the Western world (there are also similar terminals at the other compass points too). We found the window marked Ayuthulla and purchased a ticket. 1hr15mins later we had arrived in Thailands last capital city.

The whole city is surrounded by a moat/river which would've been key in defending against Burmese invasions... until that is, the Burmese forced their way in and ruined the city. The took the heads off of all the buddhas which is something still very much apparant in the ancient remains scattered all around the city.







It was about 3 o' clock when we'd sorted our room, so after that we borrowed some bikes and went for our own self-made tour of the city and it's sights. An awesome break of freedom from the regular tour groups/cabs/tuk tuks etc etc. The temples were far more interesting than those we had seen so far, especially with the majority red-brick glowing so in the afternoon low sun. At one of the Wats, the two of us were hounded by Thai school kids that weren't used to seeing Westerners. They battered us into submission and we posed for a few photo's with them. Sadly, I don't have any copies of those photo's

The following day we shipped out again, the 14th of November - 1 month on since we departed Heathrow! We boarded a delayed train and headed to Phitsanuluk. Around 4 hours later on an "air-conditioned" train (read "several fans mounted on the ceiling") we arrived to grab another bus ride to Sukththai. We went for all out cheap this time and rode with wide open windows with many local people to our destination.

The Loy Kratong festival is currently running and was our main reason for visiting this destination. The festival celebrates the history of the battles in this region with dance, Thai fighting, a light show and fireworks. We checked it out and participated in some of the locals traditions. Most notably - the purchasing of a flowery boat thing that you stick a candle on top of, make a wish and set it afloat along with every one elses candley boats. What a great thought - so with that I put a coin on my boat and wished for future lotto success ). As I watched it float - I thought that just maybe - now, it could be me! That was until the local young urchins came along with their specially crafted fishing wire + anchor; to hook the boats back in to steal the money! I took great pleasure in seeing mine capsize as they pulled it ashore meaning there bounty was lost to the bottom of the pond for all time.

Today, we visited the same sight as last night to check out the relics by bicycle. It was good fun if not a bit too hot. We stopped for lunch before we headed to the communal sports club. The best afternoon since Nepal followed. The main ingredients: Swimming Pool, Hot sunshine and no cares to get moving any time soon.




Tomorrow we're going to make a fairly long trip up to Chiang Mai - possibly our most Northerly destination in Thailand. Mountains & Elephant rides await...