KAMPHAENG PHET - SUKHOTHAI
On the way to Sukhothai
We past the first ruins of Sukhothai along the road side and soon we were at our destination for the day; the Orchid Hibiscus Guest House. I had chosen this accommodation because it had a small swimming pool and was in the immediate vicinity of the Historical Park, which I intended to visit it in the afternoon. Upon arrival we found that the Italian manager had not logged our booking and rooms were sold out; only wooden cottages - not worthwhile its price - were left. We took the latter and took an hour to shower, washing and preparing things for the next day. After, we met at the pool for a relaxing dip.
The Orchid Hibiscus Guesthouse
At noon the stomach was crying out. As the guest house was managed by an Italian, we were already dreaming of voluptuous pastas, Osso Buco and Tiramisu. Unfortunately the guest house had no restaurant and we were directed to the Sinvana Restaurant about 250 meters south of the resort. Our Italian gastronomic dream faded away and it was back to classic Thai food. After lunch we returned to the guest house for an afternoon nap and I took the occasion to oil the chain and derailleur-parts of my bike.
Sinvana Restaurant
Late afternoon we went down to visit some ruins on the eastern outskirts of Sukhothai's World Heritage site. The Sukhothai Kingdom was an early kingdom in north central Thailand existing from 1238 until 1438. The old capital is in ruins and designated as an historical park. It has a number of fine monuments, illustrating the beginnings of Thai architecture. The rectangular plan of the city with the most important religious building in the middle, suggests the influence in the city planning of the Khmer, who always placed the principal shrine in the centre surrounded by ponds and canals. Although most of the buildings are post-Khmer, evidence of Khmer influences remain. After being brick-fed we returned to the guest house.
Steve was also in for some western food as he found on his Blackberry the location of an Italian & Thai Restaurant in Sukhothai. We drove down to the city in search of the eating place. It was a modern thing and the food was of good quality. I settled with a Fettucini Carbonara and a Spinach Lasagna. It was heaven after five days of Thai food. After the meal we visited the local 7/11 next door and returned to our house of Gnomes. The wooden floor of the cottage was creaking when I literally climbed into the high and short canopy bed; for sure not the sleeping comfort of the night before. Tomorrow is another day.