Sukhothai
Sukhothai - ancient capital of Siam, filled with ruins of Buddhist temples, set in the tranquil surroundings of a green park...it has to rate as one of the most charming places I've been to in Thailand, and why it isn't overrun by a zillion tourists, I don't know!
We stayed at the Ananda Museum Gallery Hotel - brand new and very tastefully furnished. All the nicer hotels are in New Sukhothai. There must be some severe planning restrictions because it looks like only guest houses are allowed in Old Sukhothai.
We tuk tukked the 12 km to the old city. Actually, am not sure if tuk tuk is the right word. the driver sits at the back and drives you along in a roofed cart with 3 benches (saam theew?) The roof protects you from the sun, but you're open to the elements on 3 sides. There are plastic curtains that can be let down, but as one driver noted as it rained, he wouldn't be able to see where he was going if we let them down!
Renting bikes for the princely sum of 20 baht, we explored the park. There are paved roads between each ruin and beautiful square ponds. Cars meandered around slowly - a bit like in Windsor Safari. We huffed and puffed on our bikes under heavy grey clouds. First stop Wat Mahatat where monks and school children descended en masse (it was the Buddha's birthday).
Then a cycle around the other temple ruins. Why is it only the temples that survived? What about people's homes, or the palace? Many of the places we had completely to ourselves. Amazing.
Dinner was eaten at the Dream Cafe - gorgeous food and charming surroundings. We liked it so much, we went back for lunch.
The next day we went back to Old Sukhothai for more explorations outside of the park area. Still wonderful. I don't think words can do the place justice, so here are some pics instead.
We stayed at the Ananda Museum Gallery Hotel - brand new and very tastefully furnished. All the nicer hotels are in New Sukhothai. There must be some severe planning restrictions because it looks like only guest houses are allowed in Old Sukhothai.
We tuk tukked the 12 km to the old city. Actually, am not sure if tuk tuk is the right word. the driver sits at the back and drives you along in a roofed cart with 3 benches (saam theew?) The roof protects you from the sun, but you're open to the elements on 3 sides. There are plastic curtains that can be let down, but as one driver noted as it rained, he wouldn't be able to see where he was going if we let them down!
Renting bikes for the princely sum of 20 baht, we explored the park. There are paved roads between each ruin and beautiful square ponds. Cars meandered around slowly - a bit like in Windsor Safari. We huffed and puffed on our bikes under heavy grey clouds. First stop Wat Mahatat where monks and school children descended en masse (it was the Buddha's birthday).
Then a cycle around the other temple ruins. Why is it only the temples that survived? What about people's homes, or the palace? Many of the places we had completely to ourselves. Amazing.
Dinner was eaten at the Dream Cafe - gorgeous food and charming surroundings. We liked it so much, we went back for lunch.
The next day we went back to Old Sukhothai for more explorations outside of the park area. Still wonderful. I don't think words can do the place justice, so here are some pics instead.
posted by sylv at 1:09 pm
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