Sukhothai

Had a very lazy morning so got some washing out of the way before heading to breakfast.  I love the asian food and if you want you can have chicken curry and rice for breakfast!  I opted for the best spring rolls ever.  They were so good I had three of them, and that was after I had myVegemite on toast...
It is quite warm and a bit humid but no one is complaining.
On the coach at 9.30 and a short ride to the ruins of the intial temple and palace when Sukhothai was the first capital of Siam (which we now know as Thailand) about 1,000 years ago.  I am sure it is hard to understand from reading my few lines, but the ruins are absolutely fantastic.  I am not sick of seeing them and love the stories that go with each different site. Joe is such a wealth of information and he is so very comfortable with my little herd of kittens that he often jokes with us and is always looking for extra things to show us or take us to.  Poor Chook (pronounced choke, as in strangle) simply manoeuvres the big bus through side streets and lanes to wherever Joe says and all without the blink of an eye or the scraping of vehicles on the side!!!
At the ruins we then board our own motorized tram ride around the ruins, getting off at key points.  I am amazed at how few people there are here, but then I realize that Joe has us getting to all these sites at just the right time as the crowds build up each time we are about to leave.  that's just another huge tick in the box for him and the tour itinerary.
We then head to a ceramics 'factory' which is a well known family business, to see how the products are made.  We are offered the chance to paint our own mug or plate but no one wants to embarrass themselves as we are quite happy to watch the lass painting a plate. Frugal decides to go for a wander up the street so I finally locate her and get her on the coach where the others are waiting... sigh...
We then head a short coach ride to lunch where Joe had been promising us since last night, that we were only going to have a light lunch as we have all been saying that there is just too much food at every meal and as none of us have any will power, we eat every time food is put in front of us.  So we were more than surprised to find at lunch that after the fabulous coconut chicken soup for starters, we then had our table filled with various Thai dishes to sample.  We just couldn't eat it all again!!! Joe thought it was hilarious. The excess baggage I will be bringing home will be well and truly stuck on my hips, thighs and bum...
Rolled back onto the coach and another short ride back to our hotel where we now have a free afternoon.  We were meant to go to a weaving factory but that isn't open so joe has promised to find something similar later in the tour for us.  So back at the hotel I head straight to the Spa for a Thai massage.  OMG, who knew I was as flexible as the girl made me??? I had legs flinging about in directions I didn't know they could go.  After an hour of being pummelled in the nicest possible way I then headed to the gorgeous big pool and went for a much needed swim.  I did give thought at one stage to what the poor people might be doing, but then I decided I didn't really care, so gave it no more thought.
Back to the room to shower and then add some photos for all you needy little armchair travellers, plus get the blog underway.  Dinner in the hotel again tonight as Joe and I agreed that everyone would probably want to stay in tonight after such a relaxed afternoon, so that's what Joe has now arranged for us.  We head off to Lampang tomorrow which is very rural and will be yet another change of pace and scenery for us.
I know I've already made mention of this, but all on the tour are repeatedly telling me of how good a time they are having, and our only fellow on the tour (partner of one of my kittens) said last night that even though he is world travelled, so far, this is the best tour he has ever done, so how good is that? I am very very very pleased with the first overseas trip I've organized for my kittens. Hopefully you armchair travellers are enjoying the journey too - if not, just consider my 'care factor'.
Am now back from dinner which was another huge banquet. We all feel like battery hens being force-fed!!! It has been a lovely day.  I'm almost packed up again ready for our departure in the morning. I am now going to treat myself to an early night... after my scotch night cap ofcourse.