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SUKHOTHAI - 8th OCT - 9th OCT 2006
Got the train to Sukhothai after leaving flooded bathroom (courtesy of cathryn) in Ayuthaya, but that was no flood compared to what lay ahead. Feeling adventurous, Jen and Cathryn decided to investigate the toilet facilities of the train. Could not open the toilet door. But after many attempts we conquered one door to discover a squatter! Cathryn led the way and went first to try and show Jen all things are possible in Thailand. Cathryn's balancing skills improving day by day, whilst Jen's hearing and eyesight are in rapid decline. However, the joke was on Cathryn, when Jen managed to open the other door and discover a perfectly normal western toilet. hahahahahahaha!
Arrived at Phitsanoluk and then got a cattle bus with fans to Sukhothai, where another tuk-tuk driver ripped us off again. Arrived at our bed for the night to discover the town was flooded. The river water had risen to the height of the bridges and the banks were on the verge of bursting. Stranded at our bungalow the Chang beer drinking resumed. Chang beer gave us the courage to wade through the flood water into town. Ended up in another pub having more Chang beer and eating good old thai green curry.
9th OCT
Ventured to the old town which was nice and dry. Hired bone-shaker bikes aound-of-music style to cycle around the ruins. Jen had no appreciation of the lack of brakes on Cathryn and Rebecca's bikes. We narrowly avoided cycling into the pond when Jen took a handbrake turn. Abandoned plan A of the overnight train to Chiang Mai and went on an early bus instead as the floods left little else to do. Our bus tickets did not guarantee us a seat though, or even space for our bags. But it was too late - the doors had closed and we were on our 6 hour journey to Chiang Mai with Rebecca sat on a step and Jen on the back row in the middle of a bunch of "local" lads. Jen fell asleep, again proving that she can sleep anywhere. Rebecca tried perfecting her thai with the local lads, but there was an apparent breakdown in communication.
As part of the mayhem on the bus we met a nice Swiss lady called Irene - three became four for team thailand! What was she letting herself in for???
Arrived at our hostel - Eagles 2 in Chiang Mai. oh dear! The water smelled of eggs, the sheets hadn't been changed since the 1960's and we had our own personal stereo system provided by the bar next door! Seeked help with our problems with reception - only to find a fast asleep security man who seemed more stoned than any traveller we'd encountered!
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