Thursday, February 24, 2011

What's a Wat?

What's a Wat?
You've heard of Angkor Wat? Comprable to Machu Pichu in Peru. Well a wat is a temple/temple area, and they seem to be everywhere. Thailand is sprinkled with historic ruins, more toward the north which is the direction i'm heading. The south is more pretty beaches. I left dizzy Bangkok after a couple of days, the heat was stiffling. I headed north by train to Ayathuya, the original capital city of Thailand. But this city was destroyed by Burmese invaders who sacked the city and stole all the heads off most of the Buddhas because they contained gold. But it left for a cool sight to see.


Wat in Ayathuya, the old capital of Thailand
 I met a friend, he was a British Italian guy and we biked around the the grounds. Thus creating a picture you can actually see me in...
I think it leans a little to the left, I like it!


I've been eating new foods as well. Granted because it is so hot and humid here, it really kills your appetite and normally I just crave something cool and soothing. These smoothie, slushie, cokes, water stands are everywhere and provide for a nice reprieve from the scorching sun. I've been pleasing my tastebud with delicious Phat Thai, egg rolls, noodle soup, balls of pork (not to be confused with the balls or testicles of a pork, I'm brave, but i dunno about that one!) and a bunch of other things that I didn't even know the name of. Also, while strolling through the large market, something caught my eye...

There was a bucket on the ground the size of a manhole cover, but the water was swishing around. At first I thought fish- common, logical. But then I got my face closer and to my surprise it was a bucket of about 50 eels!!!! One of my leaast favorite and the grossest animals , blehhhhH!!! Just ask brad about how I squirmed and gagged while at the Birch Aquarium eel exhibit ;-( But it got better. I looked up on the table and it looked like a 6th grade science project, about 5 frogs cut up the middle  showing their fine intestines, in case you interested in buying. Right next to them a large mesh bag full of live frogs squished together!! It was a jaw dropper, continuing down the line and seeing all the fish, shells, squid and shrimp- as many as you please. So when I say I've ate things I don't know the name of... as long as it isn't a frog or something. Although, gotta try everything once.... tbd


The Thai people have continued to be very friendly and helpful. And my budget has coincided with what I thought it would cost spending 15-20 a day if i've been moving around. And more towards 10 or less if I stay place. Much less than what it costs at home I gaurantee it!



I stayed in Ayathuya for a couple of days and practiced my Thai phrases and numbers with the guesthouse owner, Toi was his name. He was also a geography genius! For example (without using the internet or anything) if anybody can answer the following countries (w/o internet!) I will bring them back a souviener.
What 11 countries in the world have a name with only 4 letters.
I'll give you the first one
1. P e r u 2. _ _ _ _ 3. _ _ _ _  etc... etc... Hint: I didn't even get them all, how sad :-(

But after exchanging some Thai words, like 'Cheers' is pronounced 'CHOK DEE' and you have to look at the person in the eye. Also his friend should some magic tricks. It was a fun night.
The iconic Buddha head in the tree. Something I really wanted to see while here.

Today and yesterday I have moved much further north to the town of Sukothai. This town holds very important temples (wat s ) that are similar to the Khmer (Cambodian kingdom of the past) style of Angkor Wat. A English lady I met on the bus said that these temples are important because they were where the Thai people met long ago and started a new kingdom in order to push the Khmer rule out of Thailand and back to it's origin in Cambodia. These temples seemed very unique and were scattered throughout a forest.
I biked most of the day alone, exploring the nooks and crannys of the temples,  and then later met up with a German guy and a guy from Pakistan and we rode together. I'm sunburnt!!! The biking amounted to about 8 miles all day around temples, lakes, protective moats and forests. Beautiful scenery indeed.



The beautiful ruins of Sukothai




200 meters up to a Buddha statue in the forest. Overlooking Central Thailand <3



Today was an exhausting day riding around and walking the grounds so i'm off for a cold beer and some good food and goo d company, until then  my friends. Thanks for reading!!! The Good life.

5 comments:

  1. outstanding report. You really should try the frog legs, they taste like chicken, at least so i'm told. Rub the buda belly for good luck. have a light beer and enjoy.
    Gerry

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  2. Ok so, Peru, Iraq, Iran, Cuba, Laos and Fuji..that's all I could come up with! Am I stupid? I love your adventures and thank you for sharing them with us. Note: when I lived in Guam I ate a fruit bat. I didn't know what it was and it was awesome. Also, I tried chocolate gravy! I'll let you figure that one on your own, but I went back for second and thirds! Have a blast and keep us posted. I so want to go on your next adventure with you! Big Hugs - Tammy

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  3. ok I have been drinking and I stole two from above, and I'm using my phone to comment, so here goes...Peru, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Chad, Mali, Togo, Fiji, Laos. I'm stuck and Chris is now consulting my map and upset claiming I'm giving up. Hilarious, on his tippy toes looking at my map. Also I am very jealous of you sista. Ok he found them Oman, and is claiming that 11 is false there is only 10!!! What is it... It will drive me crazy!!!

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  4. oh and Chris told me to tell you if Guam is the final answer it is a territory of the US not a country. Also he is guessing the local name for Ireland which is Eire, which he claims should not count either. Hope your having a blast!

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  5. Hahahaha Beth your hilarious, sounds like Chris is a little competive huh?!
    Well congrats on naming them all. Just so you don't die of anticipation, i did count Guam as the 11th country, so no fret. It was hard wasn't it!!

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