Back to Bangkok, and the search for a worthless trinket.

At the end of my last post, I had met the lovely ghostlike Buddha, but was yet to explore the old city of Sukhothai. And what a treat that was.

The old city is now a World Heritage Site, safely preserved behind the remains of its walls. The rough-and-tumble of the modern city is left outside; there are acres of scrubby grass, a few (mercifully shady) trees and stone pathways all containing the remains of the old city. And I loved it - as this is slightly off the main tourist highway it was easy to stroll from one site to another, to stand and stare without being in the way of those taking photos, or waiting for the onslaught of tour groups. So there was space to look and to think. 

Many people cycle around. Not on a bike like this, but I like the photograph!

For those who have been to Angkor Wat, or know the pictures, the construction of some of these temples will be  familiar. 

One day, I need to research the history of the area, from the north of Thailand and into Cambodia. Some of these temples were ransacked during an invasion from Myanmar, so it seems likely that there are cultural links there too. (Would I like to visit Myanmar to find out? Of course I would. But common sense says it’s not the best idea for me to go walkabout in Myanmar!)

In hindsight, would I have liked longer in Sukhothai - yes. But for once I’ve planned this trip, had transport booked to a room at a resort outside Khao Yai National Park. However, the resort was further from the Park than I realised, and visiting was going to be a challenge. I could, says the woman at the hotel, get a taxi and walk in the Park on my own. I had another burst of common sense: walking on my own in a Park with wild elephants isn’t the greatest idea. And a tour? I could be picked up at 7.00, go rafting and trekking in time for a quick lunch and then so many activities it was tired just looking at the list, finally returned to the hotel by 8 in the evening. I saw young people stride off, and good luck to them. I’d rather not be the poor old soul at the back they were always waiting to catch up. 

Did that matter? Here is where I spent most of my time, reading, writing, and watching the world go by:

And so, with just three days before I fly home, I’ve come back to Bangkok. 

On a shelf at home, I have a collection of worthless trinkets: small mementoes that carry great memories from many great journeys. And so my task, while I’m here, is to find another trinket to join them to become another part of my travelling journey. Do I need a little Buddha? A Chinese cat that waves, perhaps? Another painted elephant? 

Or maybe I’ll sit in this courtyard a little longer …