David's Homegape -> Gallery -> Thailand 2003: Sukothai

Ruins, Ruins and more Ruins

On Thursday, 04.09.03, I took the bus from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai, where I visited the Sukhothai historical park, since everything was close together I took a 'mountainbike' (with only one gear!) to make my explorations, which peaked in visiting a small monks dwelling ~6km away from the main sites. The ruins were very interesting and had some impressive Buddhas, and Khmer- and Sukhothai-style wats and chedis.
The next day I went back to Phitsanulok where I met a Thai student (a friend of my sister), who showed me around.
With the 10.07pm train I continued on to Ayuthayah, where I arrived 3.45am. At the second Guesthouse I stopped, someone opened the door, since all the rooms were full that night I was offered a couch and could catch some more sleep.

In Sukothai Historical Parc. Click for bigger picture

In the morning, more or less fresh, I rented a bike and started to explore the ruins of Ayuthayah. The Maps in Lonely Planet led me in the wrong direction a few times, but in the end I found everything I looked for. Compared to Sukhothai, the ruins here were not half as interesting. The best was the famous buddha head, which is overgrown with treeroots. Since it was still quite early I decided to drive a little bit overland, to visit some of the places which were farther away. With a little bit of good luck and my sense of orientation I managed not to get lost ;-).

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