Wanderers : Thailand

Sukhothai is about the same as Ayutthaya except their ruins are in much better condition and we thoroughly enjoyed here also. If you like history and ruins, it's worth a visit. It's another one of Thailand's most historical sites. Sukhothai means "dawn of happiness".

How did we get here? Our trip from Ayutthaya was an interesting day of travel. We started with our Tuk Tuk ride from the hotel to the Ayutthaya Train Station. We had already purchased our tickets in Bangkok and had 2nd class car seats (which is "Thai first class"). This train was basically an air conditioned commuter train.

Once seated we were handed a bag lunch which consisted of cooked Thai Jasmine rice, Saba in soy sauce (sardines that smelled absolutely horrible 😫), Kua Kling Chicken (chicken red curry, very spicy), strawberry-raisin flavored cream filled hot dog bun, banana chips, and a water.

After 3 1/2 hours on the train we arrived at the Phitsanulok Train Station. Before leaving the train station 🚉 we stopped and purchased our tickets 🎟 for Chiang Mai. We hopped on a Tuk Tuk to the Phitsanulok Bus Station 🚌. As soon as we walked in we were asked where we were going. "Sukhothai". "That bus is leaving in 10 minutes." Perfect timing! After 1 1/2 hours we arrived at the Sukhothai Bus Terminal. Time for another Tuk Tuk ride to the hotel.

Tuk Tuk Ride

Which lane are we in?

We had two nights, November 9th and 10th at the Sukhothai Gardens booked through Agoda. We splurged and booked a Superior Triple Room with Garden View at a total of just under $98.

Shower was next
to the toilet, like
a boat head.

We even had a balcony

I loved the mirror in the room.

The young lady who checked us in told us to watch the sunset from Wat Sa Si. Wat Sa Si is located within Sukhothai National Park in the middle of a large reservoir known as Traphang Trakuan. It includes a round bell-shaped chedi, an assembly hall, and an ordination hall.

Dinner was at the Sureerat Restaurant (which Rob affectionately calld, "Sewer Rat"). We ordered Tom Yum Chicken (soup) and Pad Thai with Chicken. One was really spicy. Wish you could see the tears streaming down Rob's cheeks.

We started our mornings with our free hotel breakfast. Let me tell you it was not bacon and eggs but they did have a good variety. They had bananas cooked in coconut milk and fresh fruit including white watermelon. On Friday morning they had minced pork with soy bean curd soup.

Yesterday we ran into the two different French couples that had stayed in the same hotel with us in Ayutthaya. They all traveled by bus from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai and were taking a bus to Chiang Mai. One of the couples was staying in the same hotel as us. We decided to take the bus to Chiang Mai, went around the corner to the bus station and purchased bus 🚌 tickets even though we already had train tickets. We decided it was much easier and quicker than Tuk Tuk -> bus station -> Tuk Tuk -> train station. Oh well.... so we were out about $25 for the train tickets.

Time to grab a bicycle (free at the hotel) and go explore the ruins. Our first stop was the Sukhothia National Park.

Wat Mahathat is situated in the heart ❤ of the town and believed to be the place where Lord Buddha's Relics are enshrined. Lord Buddha was the founder of Buddhism.

Wat Si Sawai

There were several more Wats located in the park and right outside.

Wat Tra Phang Thong Lang

Wat Sa Si

Monument Of King Ramkhamhaeng The Great

The Bell Of King Ramkhamhaeng

Wat Tra Kuan

Wat Chana Songkhram

Wat Sorasak

Wat Son Khao

I think our favorite time here was just bicycling through the neighborhoods. We had to stop for a popped chain. A local was riding past on his scooter and stopped to help. Rob had already fixed the chain and was cleaning grease off his hands. We thanked him. Everyone is just so nice here!

Next stop: Rob thought he saw coconuts 🥥. He was thirsty and had been in the mood for coconut water. They turned out to be green oranges 🍊 but the lady called out to the next house and she took us there to buy coconuts. They took just as many pictures of us (if not more). It was fun and 2 coconuts 🥥 were less than $2.00. Nick paid $10.00 for one in Hawaii.

Lady selling oranges

Owner

We made a stop at the day market for a snack. The day market is like an open air grocery store.

Random pictures

As from a heap of flowers 💐 many kinds of garlands can be made
So many good deeds should be done by one born a mortal

Dad and son feeding
the huge catfish

We found a bar which was not a bar that we are used to but a bar nonetheless. They served beer and Whiskey. Eventually our two French women walked by and joined us for a drink. Luckily they spoke fluent English.