Today we slept in and had a leisurely morning before our bus trip to Sukhothai.  It was nice to sleep in and just veg out.  The monks came around to collect thier alms while we were eating breakfast.

At 11:00 we were picked up and taken to the bus station for our 11:30 bus.  The bus arrived at 12:20.  Here is the bus station.

 Our goal was to make it on to the bus without sweating through our clothes—we did not make it–you can see that this bus station is open air–no AC.

Anyway, once we were on the bus we had a nice seat with AC and they even brought around boxes of a snack and water—the snack box had a bun in it with sweet paste inside and packets of instant coffee. no hot water in site though.

Strange bun with sweet paste inside

About one hour into the trip we stopped and everyone was shooed off into a station for “30 minutes”.  Inside there was a free buffet lunch with multiple Thai choices and some other food and sundry vendors.  The food was good.

Pork noodle soup from bus “free buffet”

Back on the bus and onward.  Approx 4 hours into the trip, loud Thai disco music began to play over the speakers . Very annoying–it continued to the end of the trip.  Altogether a 6 hour trip but very comfortable.

We arrived in Sukhothai about 6:30 and checked into our guest house. We went out to dinner–fried shrimp with tamarind sauce, egg rolls, p ad Thai, and sautéed morning glory.—deliscious.

Stirfried morning glory

Tomorrow we will hit the Sukhothai ruins and take a sunset bike tour through the agricultural area and villages.

Random thoughts:

I was told when inquiring about the fish in the ponds at Erawan falls that they were biting me because I was “so white” and they thought I was rice!!!!  Apparently the Thai people picnic there and throw the fish thier leftover rice so the fish are “trained” to go after white tasty objects— 🙁

Thai people do not eat specific things for specific meals and think we are strange for wanting eggs, or pancakes, or bacon and toast for breakfast only.  They eat whatever is around whenever they eat–so most guest houses have Thai and western breakfasts and you can choose eggs and toast etc, or stirfry, or curry, or always a rice soup like congee.

Everyone we have met is afraid to ask about American politics and when we bring it up, they want to know what happened

We have now seen 4 Komodo dragons—one as large as an adult alligator—they are freakish, scary things–so glad they are not native to North Carolina!!