Phitsanulok & Sukhothai

Long Distance Travel in Thailand (Adventure #1) - Goal: Bangkok to Phitsanulok ~ 380 km

We knew which bus station in Bangkok to make our inquiry and that was it. We decided an early start was better than a late one since our lonely planet book said the ride would be about 8 hours. Leaving our hostel at 7:00 am, we rode the city bus and took the skytram to have a stroll around a park before finding the Chatuchat (Mo Chit) Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal around 9:45 am. A helpful police officer directed us to the bus ticket window for the Phi-lot bus and we bought our ticket for 265 B (less than $10). Our bus was to leave in 10 minutes...perfect timing. We bought water and snacks, not knowing if there would be an opportunity for food during our journey and waited at our bus terminal. At 10:30, a mammoth bus arrived. Although there were seat numbers on our tickets, people began pouring into the bus as soon as it stopped. We learned there are no assigned seats on Thai buses. :-) The bus driver helped us find two seats together and we rode in style all the way to Phi-Lot with reclining seats and A/C. Other passengers were not as lucky, having to ride in the aisle seated on stools. It was packed.

We arrived in Phi-lot around 4:45 pm and took the city bus #1 into town and found London Hotel our place of rest. For 150 B we had a room with a fan and shared bathrooms with true Thai toilets (squat toilet, no toilet paper, bowl of water for cleaning and flushing). A good experience. We went for a walk along the river before dinner and watched Thai's exercising: Takraw (like hakisac), public aerobics, and even some jogging. We ate at the 'Flying Vegetable' for dinner which served us a stir-fried spinach/garlic dish (morning glory).

The next day we took a bus to the ancient city of Sukhothai and rode bikes around the ruins seeing Buddhas in different poses and ancient temples. The old city was surrounded by moats and walls. The walls have since fallen but the moats are still there. It made for some amazing reflections of the temples and palm trees on the water. We made it safely back to Phi-Lot and back to the 'Flying Vegetable' for dinner. This time besides the morning glory we ordered a bottle of Thai whiskey and Pepsi and played cards while it rained.

Phi-lot was great. A nice stop in the middle of the country. Pictures below. :-)