10 Days in Thailand
On Wednesday, August 30th, I arrived in Thailand at 9:30 PM (30 minutes early) via a Scoot Airlines flight from Osaka. Scoot is the budget subsidiary of Singapore Airlines and is only one of two airlines that fly this route nonstop. Due to the late arrival I stayed at a hotel near the airport. Northgate Ratchayothin Hotel
The next morning my girlfriend (Nisee) met me at the hotel and we took a taxi to downtown Bangkok and the Triple Two Hotel. This is a four star hotel but is better than many five star hotels I have stayed at. After checking in, we went by tut tut to the MBK Market to look about. We walked and we walked that day - even going to the PatPong Night Market that evening. We had dinner at a local Thai restaurant. It was pretty basic but fine overall. Nisee knows her Thai food!
Friday morning, September 1st we checked out a Hindu temple that was across the street from outer hotel.
Then we took a taxi to the Golden Buddha Temple. After visiting that temple, we hopped a bus to the Royal Palace and the Reclining Buddha Temple.
After the temple, we took a taxi to the shopping area known as Pratunam and walked around looking again...still not buying much! We had dinner a local Thai restaurant that was recommended by Trip Advisor, Siam Cafe. It was quite good and very cheap as is most food in Thailand.
Saturday we took a taxi to the International airport for a Thai Airlines flight to Chiang Mai. We got into Chiang Mai about 2 PM and our hotel (The Grand Napat) picked us up at the airport. Another four star hotel but more in line with the norm. We went downtown for dinner at Cooking Love, another Trip Advisor recommendation and another good choice! Excellent Chiang Mai dishes except for one dish that came with fried pork rinds. Since either Nisee nor I like pork very much, this item wasn't much of a hit!
On Sunday we got an Uber driver to take up to the ruins known as Wiang Khufu's Kam. This ancient city was built in the latter part of the 13th century by King Mangrai. However floods over the years took it toll and by the late 16th century the city was completely abandoned. It was not rediscovered until 1984! Since then much work has been done to try to reconstruct the buildings.
We hired the same Uber driver to take us to the next two sights also. First on our list was Doni Kham Temple. This temple was built in 687 and was renovated in 1981. It is still very popular today as can be seen from the crowds of people there.
We had dinner that night in town at a restaurant recommended by the Uber driver. Okay but not memorable. After that we walked the Sunday Evening Walking Street. This is a government sponsored weekly event to display local art products. It was much larger than I expected and also much more crowded.
On Monday morning, September 3rd, we got another Uber driver to take us to Tiger Kingdom. Here you enter the cages and interact with tigers and lions - really! So we picked the package that included a small lion and a big tiger. I am not sure how they categorize the size of these cats but the difference between big and giant seems immaterial. Anyway, after seeing the two baby white tigers, we went into a cage with two trainers and the lions, Bella and Leo. There are basically two rules: don't touch the cats on the face or head and don't step on their tails. I managed to obey the first rule but accidentally stepped on Leo’s tail trying to get out of the way of Bella. Fortunately, Leo was in a forgiving mood as it didn't seem to faze him!
The trainers like to play with the cats by dancing about a cardboard box attached to a long pole just out of the cats’ reach. In this case, Bella grasped the box and broke it off the pole. The trainers had a tough time getting the box back from Bella.
After the lions, we were led into a cage with 3 big tigers. The two trainers didn't tell us the tigers name but they seem less frisky than the lions. Still, if one decided to jump you, you would have little chance.
I kept wondering where the third tiger was as I often couldn’t see it. So it really seemed a relief to get out of the cage with them.
Yes
Of course, you can't have tigers without elephants, can you? So it was off to the Measa Elephant Camp. Here they train and breed elephants. This one elephant knows how to hug you, kiss you and even put on your hat!
During the show, four of the elephants painted! It was amazing especially for the elephant in front of us. He seemed to have much more artist ability than I have! His painting sold instantly to the people in front of us for about $90.
We didn't get lunch so we combined lunch and dinner together by buying street food. I had no idea what Nisee was getting but I got to admit I liked it! That evening we went to the regular night market. Again, this was much bigger than I expected with many interesting things…
On Tuesday morning we took a bus for a 6 hour ride to Phitsanulok. Here Nisee’s sister and her husband (Jin and Mor) met us at the bus station. They seemed like very nice folks but since they are not fluent in English and I know virtually no Thai, communication was difficult. However after arranging for me to book a flight back to Bangkok. Then we went to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, the temple famous for its golden Buddha image named Phra Buddha Chinnarat, considered by many to be the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand. It is one of the most highly revered images in the country, which makes the temple an important pilgrimage site for Thai Buddhists.
The temple was founded in 1357 by King Phaya Lithai, King of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The King ordered the casting of three large Buddha images to be enshrined in the newly built temple. Some of the most famous artisans of his time were invited to do the job. Although the third casting needed to be redone several times it is the one that was perfect. In the early 17th century gold plating was applied to the bronze image. You can see from the pictures, this temple is very popular.
After the temple visit, I checking to a hotel and the Jin and Mor took us to dinner at a very nice restaurant right on the Nan River in town. Again, I don't know exactly what I was eating but it was awfully good! Hotel was the Topland Hotel. This is listed as a 4 star hotel and looks nice on first glance. But I had problems with the internet, A/C, toilet, and bed! Not someplace to which I would go back.
Wednesday September 6th, after a poor breakfast buffet at the hotel, Mor and Jin took us to Sukhothai, the historic city. This city was the capital of the Sukhothal Kingdom in the 13th and 14th centuries. There are many structures left today that the government has declared this an historical place and made it into a government park. Mor rented us a fancy golf cart to drive around about in the park.
After the park, we returned to Phitsanulok and had chicken noodle soup at a specialty restaurant there. It was with homemade noodles and lots of good flavor. After the meal, we visited a local museum Sergeant Major Thawee Folk Museum. This is the only museum in Phitsanulok is privately owned by the same man (Sgt. Maj. Thawee) whose family runs the town's famous Buddha foundry. The aim of the museum is to collect everyday items and memorabilia from around the north-central region of Thailand. The exhibits are a bit eclectic, ranging from clothes and photographs to fish traps and farm equipment. Here I am with the 84 year old founder.
Friday morning found us taking a Thai Lion Airlines flight to Bangkok. We then took a taxi to our Hotel, The Silver Palm Rama 9 Bangkok. It is an nice 4 star hotel that is hidden away near one of the Sky Train stops. The Sky Train runs between Bangkok and the International Airport, Suvarnabhumi. After checking in, we walked down to a local shopping center and ate. Tomorrow, September 8th, we plan to plan the day with a friend of Nisee's who will take me to the airport tomorrow night for my 12:30 flight to Tokyo. I connect in Tokyo for a flight to Dulles. I should arrive in Dulles late Saturday morning after about 18 hours in the air and 7 hours or so on the ground waiting or connecting.
The next morning my girlfriend (Nisee) met me at the hotel and we took a taxi to downtown Bangkok and the Triple Two Hotel. This is a four star hotel but is better than many five star hotels I have stayed at. After checking in, we went by tut tut to the MBK Market to look about. We walked and we walked that day - even going to the PatPong Night Market that evening. We had dinner at a local Thai restaurant. It was pretty basic but fine overall. Nisee knows her Thai food!
Friday morning, September 1st we checked out a Hindu temple that was across the street from outer hotel.
Then we took a taxi to the Golden Buddha Temple. After visiting that temple, we hopped a bus to the Royal Palace and the Reclining Buddha Temple.
After the temple, we took a taxi to the shopping area known as Pratunam and walked around looking again...still not buying much! We had dinner a local Thai restaurant that was recommended by Trip Advisor, Siam Cafe. It was quite good and very cheap as is most food in Thailand.
Saturday we took a taxi to the International airport for a Thai Airlines flight to Chiang Mai. We got into Chiang Mai about 2 PM and our hotel (The Grand Napat) picked us up at the airport. Another four star hotel but more in line with the norm. We went downtown for dinner at Cooking Love, another Trip Advisor recommendation and another good choice! Excellent Chiang Mai dishes except for one dish that came with fried pork rinds. Since either Nisee nor I like pork very much, this item wasn't much of a hit!
On Sunday we got an Uber driver to take up to the ruins known as Wiang Khufu's Kam. This ancient city was built in the latter part of the 13th century by King Mangrai. However floods over the years took it toll and by the late 16th century the city was completely abandoned. It was not rediscovered until 1984! Since then much work has been done to try to reconstruct the buildings.
We hired the same Uber driver to take us to the next two sights also. First on our list was Doni Kham Temple. This temple was built in 687 and was renovated in 1981. It is still very popular today as can be seen from the crowds of people there.
On Monday morning, September 3rd, we got another Uber driver to take us to Tiger Kingdom. Here you enter the cages and interact with tigers and lions - really! So we picked the package that included a small lion and a big tiger. I am not sure how they categorize the size of these cats but the difference between big and giant seems immaterial. Anyway, after seeing the two baby white tigers, we went into a cage with two trainers and the lions, Bella and Leo. There are basically two rules: don't touch the cats on the face or head and don't step on their tails. I managed to obey the first rule but accidentally stepped on Leo’s tail trying to get out of the way of Bella. Fortunately, Leo was in a forgiving mood as it didn't seem to faze him!
The trainers like to play with the cats by dancing about a cardboard box attached to a long pole just out of the cats’ reach. In this case, Bella grasped the box and broke it off the pole. The trainers had a tough time getting the box back from Bella.
After the lions, we were led into a cage with 3 big tigers. The two trainers didn't tell us the tigers name but they seem less frisky than the lions. Still, if one decided to jump you, you would have little chance.
I kept wondering where the third tiger was as I often couldn’t see it. So it really seemed a relief to get out of the cage with them.
Yes
Of course, you can't have tigers without elephants, can you? So it was off to the Measa Elephant Camp. Here they train and breed elephants. This one elephant knows how to hug you, kiss you and even put on your hat!
During the show, four of the elephants painted! It was amazing especially for the elephant in front of us. He seemed to have much more artist ability than I have! His painting sold instantly to the people in front of us for about $90.
We didn't get lunch so we combined lunch and dinner together by buying street food. I had no idea what Nisee was getting but I got to admit I liked it! That evening we went to the regular night market. Again, this was much bigger than I expected with many interesting things…
On Tuesday morning we took a bus for a 6 hour ride to Phitsanulok. Here Nisee’s sister and her husband (Jin and Mor) met us at the bus station. They seemed like very nice folks but since they are not fluent in English and I know virtually no Thai, communication was difficult. However after arranging for me to book a flight back to Bangkok. Then we went to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, the temple famous for its golden Buddha image named Phra Buddha Chinnarat, considered by many to be the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand. It is one of the most highly revered images in the country, which makes the temple an important pilgrimage site for Thai Buddhists.
The temple was founded in 1357 by King Phaya Lithai, King of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The King ordered the casting of three large Buddha images to be enshrined in the newly built temple. Some of the most famous artisans of his time were invited to do the job. Although the third casting needed to be redone several times it is the one that was perfect. In the early 17th century gold plating was applied to the bronze image. You can see from the pictures, this temple is very popular.
After the temple visit, I checking to a hotel and the Jin and Mor took us to dinner at a very nice restaurant right on the Nan River in town. Again, I don't know exactly what I was eating but it was awfully good! Hotel was the Topland Hotel. This is listed as a 4 star hotel and looks nice on first glance. But I had problems with the internet, A/C, toilet, and bed! Not someplace to which I would go back.
Wednesday September 6th, after a poor breakfast buffet at the hotel, Mor and Jin took us to Sukhothai, the historic city. This city was the capital of the Sukhothal Kingdom in the 13th and 14th centuries. There are many structures left today that the government has declared this an historical place and made it into a government park. Mor rented us a fancy golf cart to drive around about in the park.
After the park, we returned to Phitsanulok and had chicken noodle soup at a specialty restaurant there. It was with homemade noodles and lots of good flavor. After the meal, we visited a local museum Sergeant Major Thawee Folk Museum. This is the only museum in Phitsanulok is privately owned by the same man (Sgt. Maj. Thawee) whose family runs the town's famous Buddha foundry. The aim of the museum is to collect everyday items and memorabilia from around the north-central region of Thailand. The exhibits are a bit eclectic, ranging from clothes and photographs to fish traps and farm equipment. Here I am with the 84 year old founder.
Friday morning found us taking a Thai Lion Airlines flight to Bangkok. We then took a taxi to our Hotel, The Silver Palm Rama 9 Bangkok. It is an nice 4 star hotel that is hidden away near one of the Sky Train stops. The Sky Train runs between Bangkok and the International Airport, Suvarnabhumi. After checking in, we walked down to a local shopping center and ate. Tomorrow, September 8th, we plan to plan the day with a friend of Nisee's who will take me to the airport tomorrow night for my 12:30 flight to Tokyo. I connect in Tokyo for a flight to Dulles. I should arrive in Dulles late Saturday morning after about 18 hours in the air and 7 hours or so on the ground waiting or connecting.
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