It is one of my travel aspirations to go back to Sukothai and stay near the historical park - to wake up early in the morning (6 O'clock), catch the morning market activities and the routine lifestyle of the people in the old town of Sukothai. So, we backpacked into the guesthouse that was just situated opposite the historical park =).
It is interesting to take a stroll along the old town in the evening or morning (think quite tough for us to wake up that early though as sunrise in Thailand is usually before 6 am). The town was quite quiet and peaceful - no nite food bazaar as compared to the new town. However, the evening market was equally interesting - we bought my fav thailand longan and most interesting was we bought local "bermudas". We probably will only wear it during our backpacking trip in Thailand bah - the donning of the berms also need certain skills - "tie here, tie there, everywhere tie tie".
绝不会忘记要看日落, 终于可以一起看日落了. 两个人, 两副相机, 两辆单车, 感觉很好.
Went back to the same spot that I have previously sat to wait for the sunset. We met a group of "khun thai" (Thai people) who were waiting for the sunset as well. The ladies told us that the scene would be fantastic, just like the postcard pictures. There was a group of family having picnic - something that I would like to do so last time too. We did the same this time - feasting on our longans and our mineral water as we were still early. Though the weather was cloudy and maybe we might not see a round round sunset, it was equally enjoyable.
We switched location to a Wat near the pond - it was nearer to the entrance/exit and we could also capture the Wat with the sunsetting backdrop. There were no lamp posts in the park as the sky grew darker. My dear asked me what I meant to see a sunset - must a round round red sun setting constitutes a sunset? It was something that I did ponder for a while. In photography, we could hide the sun behind a lamp post, a building or a mountain if we are unable to get a nice round sunset - the picture will be equally inspiring. Perhaps, I am a perfectionist? Craving for the perfect round round red red sun setting right in my eyes Xp. Funny that some times when we aspire to take certain pictures framed in our mindsets, we ignore or totally oblivious of the other equally good pictures that we could take. No red round round sun setting could also be beautiful as well.
By 1900hrs, the park was really dark and we cycled towards the entrance to find our way out. Gates locked and closed! Luckily, there was a small "lobang" besides the gates where we could still push our bicycles through, taking care not to touch the barb wires. Subsequently, I recalled that was my "escape" route during my last trip as well. Poor memory me.
We like the peacefulness of Sukhothai. Kampong style, light traffic, Sukothai noodles, friendly locals... we enjoy cycling past padi fields, herds of buffaloes and rivers as well as background Thai music of some open air "food court". Teaching my dear how to speak Thai and "forcing" her to communicate in Thai to local street vendors is equally amusing too. Under the hot sun, blue sky, scent of grass, low decibels - it is an experience that we treasure.
It is an experience that I long for.
Finally I have a week break to do some "housekeeping" - realised that I have not updated an account of my Sukothai and Nippon Backpack last year before school re-open. Really lost track of time at times - Going back to school is quite taxing after all.
I have wanted to go Sukothai for a long long time - it was one of the ancient city in Thai history. Rem I stayed in a backpacker hostel in BKK near the Hua Lampong Station (Chinatown) the night before, then I realised I needed to go to Mo Chit Bus Station instead ;P. Had wanted to take a train but realised that there was no direct train station at Sukothai - need to change bus to reach Sukothai - so decided to take a 9-10 hours bus ride instead. Took a cab there to catch the earliest bus but the bus agent informed me that the earliest time was 1030hrs. For thai bus, it's best to take
better class" seats - it is not expensive and u get meal coupon, drink and cake on board. It isnt my first time on long journey thai bus, so mentally prepared for the "air con" (It gets hot and stuffy in the middle of the journey, and usually they will play thai traditional music.)
Managed to check in to my backpacker hostel in Sukothai after the long long journey. It was evening time and not too bad - no need to walk in the dark. Rem there was an aerobic session right across my hostel (well, i booked an air con room - but no TV - to tahan the hot weather). Quite cozy place and abt 5 min walk to the "tuk tuk station to Old Sukothai City" and another 5 min walk to the night bazaar. As usual, I went to search for my fav yummy thai noodles - those with char siew the best and it costs only 20B ;). Ate the same store almost every day.
Sukothai Town - most tourists will be staying in the new town while the attractions are abt 50 km from the old town - this means I need to take a transport to old Sukothai city (next time must stay near or the best next to the old sukothai city liao). Weather was hot and humid - I needed no more than 1/2 day to become tanned. How tanned I am? Locals didnt entertain me or they spoke to me in thai liao. I rented a bicycle to recci the old town - You have to go on wheels as it's a huge complex. Nice place - at times I am the only one at a particular site. As usual - mission-based ME - wanted to catch sunset (sunrise is too early - no transport yet). The complex bears similar "feel" as those in Ayutthaya. I stayed at each site for a while, waiting for potential "subjects" to appear. There were school children but no monks.
The time when I was at Sukothai - there were some grand ceremonial activities going on. Rem I wanted to catch the early bus to another old complex and was stopped by the hostel owner. He told me to proceed to the town centre - there was 1000 monks procession (see my album). Okay, it was really an experience - never saw so many monks before. It was very very crowded and students were activated to help out in the whole session. I went to get good location to take my photos. Actually I saw many posters when I reached BKK and saw the news about the procession - but didnt expect to see it in Sukothai.
It was a nice experience - first time backpack cum cycling. It will be great if you can travel with your loved one. We can share the joy of enjoying the roadside street makan, sweating together under the hot sun (of cos with sun block?!), and me showing off some "3-month" Thai language Xp.
