Flying vegetables and historical parks

From Nakhon Sawan to Phitsanulok on a 2nd class train, we're moving up in the world! After using the Thai public transport system, you come to realise that bus and train timetables are only rough guides (and that's being generous!). Nevertheless, it's a great way to get around and our total bill has come to less than £20.

Phitsanulok is our first Northern city, we've now left central Thailand and are getting more and more eager to reach Chiang Mai. Phitsanulok is the home of the flying vegetables, we weren't quite sure what this meant but soon found out at dinner. A drum role and flames shooting in to the air are the signs to get ready; experts field with a plate and beginners have to catch their flying supper with a dustbin lid.

We only used Phitsanulok as a stop over and were soon in Sukothai. We stayed at a place called At Home and it was great. It had a really relaxing feel with a large garden and plenty of shaded areas to chill out. In the evening we went for dinner at a place called the Dream Cafe. It was full of western antiques from gramophone's to church pews. It was our first time eating fish, it was a risk that paid off! The menu explains the etiquette of eating in Thailand and both the waitresses bowed every time they walked past. All in all it was the perfect start to Sukothai.

We woke up bright and early to get to the historical park, which was a 12 km journey from new Sukothai where we were staying. The park itself is magical. It's incredibly well kept and boasts some phenomenal architecture. We spent almost the entire afternoon there until the heat got the better of us and we decided to go in search of a nearby waterfall. Unfortunately our efforts were in vane, but we did get to see some of the local life outside the tourist parts. We saw people working the rice fields and a few local monasteries; all of this within a valley between jungle covered mountains.

After our intrepid adventure into the wild, we sprawled out in the air conditioned room for a few hours - you can tell we are no good in a 40 degree climate! That evening, as it was our last night we sampled 'Sukothai noodles' in a restaurant called... Poo. They were delicious!

Next stop, Lampang, ciao!!