Sukhothai

December 20th, 2016

We headed out in the morning to spend more time walking in the Historical park.  I wanted to try getting some pictures in the morning light.  When we arrived at the park, I headed to a particular section that I wanted to see in the morning light.  As I did, I immediately noticed that there was a drone flying in and around the very monuments that I wanted to photograph.

It didn’t take me long to see who was operating it and I wondered if they had to have special permit.  I couldn’t tell for sure but this looked like a hobbyist.  On the one hand, I would love launching a drone and getting pictures and videos from above.  On the other hand, I didn’t want to see or hear this drone. It was a distraction and I couldn’t help but wonder that in another 10 years, seeing multiple dronesbuzzing around an attraction would be the norm. Continue reading →

December 19th, 2016

I wasn’t done with my inner Indiana Jones, so I had a driver take me to Si Satchanalai Historical Park which is about an hour from the Sukhothai Historical Park. Si Satchanalai means “city of good people” and was founded in 1250 as the second kingdom of Sukhothai. Like the historical park in Sukhothai, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and since it is the lesser known of the two historical parks in Sukhothai there were hardly any people in the park.

To get around the large park, we could either take the park’s tram, rent a bike or walk.  There was no way to cover the entire park walking so we elected to take the bikes.  I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about riding a bike.  I found myself trying to figure out when the last time I rode a bike.  The bike at the gym doesn’t count since it doesn’t go anywhere which means I haven’t ridden a bike since I first moved to Los Angeles and learned that LA is not a bike friendly city.

I nervously got on the bike and began to pedal.   Just like the saying says, “like riding a bike – you never forget”.  What I forgot was how empowering riding a bike can feel. It was my main mode of transportation long before I learned to drive a car!  During the summers, I spent most my time riding my bike.  I wish I had rented a bike the day before, I had a lot of fun! Besides a close call with a school teacher with her students, there was no mishaps.   Continue reading →

December 18th, 2016

While researching my trip, I read that there is a sound and light show at the historic park on Saturdays and Sundays.  The author went on to add that it was one of the best kept secrets, it wasn’t advertised anywhere and when he went, the park was empty.  I intentionally went to Sukhothai on Sunday so that I could see the monuments lit up at night.  In honor of the late King, the park is free through December and it is not only lit up on the weekends but all week long as well.

After walking around the park late in the day, Sophon and I decided to get something to eat.  We found a row of food stalls in one corner of the park.  We purchased a few things and then sat on a bench to eat it.  Thai people love street food and there is no shortage of it.  As we sat, I realized that I was probably the only tourist in the entire group of people. I also realized that although I was the only non-thai in the bunch, nobody stared or made me feel out of place.  That says something both about the food and the people. Continue reading →

Dec 18th, 2016

As much as I loved my luxurious stay at the JW Marriott in Phuket, it wasn’t much of a cultural experience.  My next stop was Sukhothai which I saw a picture of, in all places, a Microsoft Windows Desktop Theme.  After a little research, I found out the name of the place and discovered it was a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Sukhothai (means the dawn of happiness) was the first capital of Siam 800 years ago in the 13th Century.

It was a bit off the beaten path which made it even more enticing, better yet, there weren’t chains of hotels charging inflated prices.  My hotel was less that $35 per night and it included breakfast! A lot of history to see and it doesn’t cost a fortune!  Sukhothai seemed like a place I would like.

As I flew in, I could tell that there was a lot of agriculture in this area.  When I landed I was surprised to see that corn was being grown next to bananas, in fact, they seemed to be growing about everything including mangos, melon, rice, dragon fruit, sugar cane and morning-glory (with the greens used extensively in southeast Asian cooking). Continue reading →