Days 3 and 4 of the Songkran trip were all about aesthetics and Thai history. However, I was remiss in my last blog to mention a beautiful Thai temple we visited on the morning of Day 2.
This was in the town of Tatako. The temple was on a hill. While the others in the group took the truck, Amanda and I opted to hike up the rocky steps. Suffice it to say, we were completely drenched in our own sweat. The sun was out and boy was it humid. Some nice solid exercise, for sure.
The temple was so gorgeous.
Okay, now back to Day 3.
It was up at 6am again, then off to Sukhothai. Sukhothai literally means "Dawn of Happiness." It's just over 420 kilometers north of Bangkok and was founded in 1238. This city was the capital of the Thai Empire for approximately 140 years. Today there are nearly 200 thousand-year-old temples scattered throughout the area.
BUT, before I get to pictures, there is something to be said for the drive leading up to the park where many of these temples sit. Let's just say our selected route was wanting.
This shot is from our car. We spent 2 1/2 hours in the car to only drive 10 kilometers. These are Thai people packing the street on Day 3 of Songkran -- Day 3! This had already been going on for TWO WHOLE DAYS! Traffic was completely bumper to bumper. 2 1/2 hours to go 10 kilometers!
Kayne was driving. You can really sense the inner frustration. The party outside kept us entertained.
Apparently, Thailand has its highest incidence of pink eye the week following Songkran: so many people getting shot in the eye with water from who knows where!
We finally arrived. It was worth the wait.
This picture was not taken off-kilter. That tower in the middle is leaning to the left. I call it the Leaning Tower of Thailand.
We spent much of Day 4 venturing back home. We made a stop through a Mediterranean shopping center and an action sports park. Both were fun.
This is me with Kunta (May's father), Tyler Capp and Amanda, two other teachers. "Kunta" means grandpa in Thai.
However, the highlight of the day was visiting a very old temple in a city called Pitsanulok. The Buddha statue in this temple is very special. It is made of solid gold. The whole temple was truly breathtaking.
And that was pretty much the day and the completion of the 4-day trip. And what a trip it was!
Plenty more has happened over the last few weeks since Songkran. So many more posts to come!
Meanwhile, I want to share a bit of trivia I found most fascinating. Did you know that Bangkok is the longest city name in the entire world. Bangkok is just the shortened form. The full name is:
Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit
And here is Pum, one of our Thai teachers, saying it. It's quite impressive.
Stay tuned!
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