I am now in a smallish town (Pop about 40,000) called Sukhothai, which is an ancient capital of Thailand, or Siam as it then was. I am going out today to see the "old city" many ruins and historical sites.
I spent a couple of days in the nearby much larger city of Phitsanulok (pop 100,000) prior to coming here. It was a big contrast to Bangkok, very clean, and I would say a quite affluent town. No one warns you about these things, but market lady seemed quite bemused, and almost offended when I tried to barter. Same with Tuktuk drivers, set prices, and as they are much much less than in Bangkok, I now have to learn to just accept the price quoted. I guess it will change again once in ChiangMai. There wasn't alot to see in Phitsanulok, apart from the beautiful Wat Yai. The much written about tram ride around the city wasn't running because not enough tourists around. I tried to arrange day trip, tour to Sukhothai, as only an hour apart, but it seemed I had to get local bus, find my own way around, then get bus back. I thought it was easier to just pack up and shift here, and actually, Sukhothai has a much nicer vibe, is friendlier and more set up for travellers. I found a cheap and cheerful hotel with a way too grand a swimming pool for the price, so nice to come back to after a hot day sightseeing, a pool has become a necessity when finding accommodation! Today I will find a tuk tuk driver who will take me around the ruins and historical sites of the "old city", and tomorrow I hope to head to MaeSot, on the Myanmer(Burma) border. I am conflicted about whether to do the day trip into this country. On one hand I don't want to support a corrupt, undemocratic regime, but on the other hand, the government won't know I'm there, but some local people no doubt count on "day trippers" to feed their families. I will check it out once at MaeSot. Also I hear that there are refugee camps around the border, not sure exactly where, but will investigate if there is anything I can do to help.
The train and bus trips to and around this area have been most interesting as the countryside is so very different to NewZealand. Not a sheep in sight, in fact not even a fence! The fields are 90% rice paddys. There are occasional herds of ox? some type of cattle, and they seem to precariously balance themselves on the banks of the rice paddys. Occasional crops that are not underwater, Tapioca I think, and others unknown! It is amazing where the water comes from as fields and fields are underwater, with many workers wading through and I guess planting their rice crops. As in NZ, some beautiful obviously wealthy farmers houses, and many poor hovels. A great diversity of people, I am so loving seeing the everyday life of people. I find people are very friendly, willing to help, but much less english spoken out of the major centres. In my hotel at present, noone speaks english, so to make requests out of ordinary, is a fine game of charades! ha ha I get by though, and have no complaints! All is well!!
