Khorat
Just before the bank holiday weekend, I was hysterically trying to find us somewhere to visit in Thailand. Either planes were expensive or full or at inconvenient times. Or hotels were fully booked. The seaside was therefore out of the question. We ended up in Nakhorn Ratchisima - otherwise known as Khorat - and Phimai, home of an ancient Khmer temple.
Khorat is the second largest city in Thailand - although really, nothing competes with Bangkok. It's about 3-4 hours bus ride away and it's very pleasant. We stayed at the Sima Thani hotel which used to be a Sheraton. The rooms were spacious, clean and modern - and a snip at just 1,200 Baht with brekkie included. It was right next door to the TAT office too and the nice ladies there sweetly ladened us with maps and brochures. It's quite interesting to see a sample tour programme of the province: for one day, they recommend going to the National Park and go-carting. For two days, they recommend going to the local dairy farm, the national park and some vineyards. No mention of Phimai! They also mention the Army Dog Centre which I was well up for, but the ladies sadly informed us it was closed.
Anyhow, we went into town which was lively with food stalls, markets and ...elephants playing harmonicas - you think I'm joking? See below!
And then we stumbled onto the
Actually, it was the highlight of our whole trip. There were about 6 or 7 amazing sculptures of wax processions involving boats, elephants, dragons, Thaksin, buddhist figures...in shades of yellow, orange and brown. There was a great fun fair atmosphere as Thais busily snapped away with their mobile phones. I don't want to spoil the image, but we think the wax is laid onto a metal foundation. Still the beauty and striking detail of the sculptures is awesome. Definitely wax, not plastic. My fingers were smeared with the stuff when I touched one. That's another great thing about Thailand. How you can wander around ancient ruins and touch wax sculptures without nary a 'KEEP OFF' in sight. I don't know why the candles didn't melt - but they weren't super resistant to all the curious prodding of passersby - one man was surreptiously trying to re-attach a small segment.
This one is of Thaksin waving the flag for Thailand.
We also wandered around the markets. Grasshopper anyone?
No? Ok, what about hogshead?
We ended up at Cabbages and Condoms (yummy and cheap). The only pity about our day was that as it was a Buddha day we couldn't sink a few beers to round things off!!
Coming up: Phimai...
Khorat is the second largest city in Thailand - although really, nothing competes with Bangkok. It's about 3-4 hours bus ride away and it's very pleasant. We stayed at the Sima Thani hotel which used to be a Sheraton. The rooms were spacious, clean and modern - and a snip at just 1,200 Baht with brekkie included. It was right next door to the TAT office too and the nice ladies there sweetly ladened us with maps and brochures. It's quite interesting to see a sample tour programme of the province: for one day, they recommend going to the National Park and go-carting. For two days, they recommend going to the local dairy farm, the national park and some vineyards. No mention of Phimai! They also mention the Army Dog Centre which I was well up for, but the ladies sadly informed us it was closed.
Anyhow, we went into town which was lively with food stalls, markets and ...elephants playing harmonicas - you think I'm joking? See below!
And then we stumbled onto the
Actually, it was the highlight of our whole trip. There were about 6 or 7 amazing sculptures of wax processions involving boats, elephants, dragons, Thaksin, buddhist figures...in shades of yellow, orange and brown. There was a great fun fair atmosphere as Thais busily snapped away with their mobile phones. I don't want to spoil the image, but we think the wax is laid onto a metal foundation. Still the beauty and striking detail of the sculptures is awesome. Definitely wax, not plastic. My fingers were smeared with the stuff when I touched one. That's another great thing about Thailand. How you can wander around ancient ruins and touch wax sculptures without nary a 'KEEP OFF' in sight. I don't know why the candles didn't melt - but they weren't super resistant to all the curious prodding of passersby - one man was surreptiously trying to re-attach a small segment.
This one is of Thaksin waving the flag for Thailand.
We also wandered around the markets. Grasshopper anyone?
No? Ok, what about hogshead?
We ended up at Cabbages and Condoms (yummy and cheap). The only pity about our day was that as it was a Buddha day we couldn't sink a few beers to round things off!!
Coming up: Phimai...
posted by sylv at 2:53 pm
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