On the train from Lopburi to Phitsanulok we pass lush green and muddy fields and mountains in the distance. You can see temples poking out and huge buddha statues, farmers tending to their crops on their basic stand up plows and hints of the western world creeping in everywhere. It doesnt seem to sway the Thai people from their traditional culture but they definitley need lessons in recycling and sustainability as their streets are filled with rubbish. We got into Phitsanulok and were bombarded by tuk tuk and taxi drivers wanting to take us but we just have to keep walking and shake our heads saying NO. We stayed at 'London Hotel' for 75 baht each (2$ au). The room was like a shoe box, but had the necessitie of a big bed (probaly the hardest i have slept on, along with the pillow) and a fan. Lets just say my jumper i bought with me has become my new favourite pillow. Once settled we did what we normally do and scoped out the food, ie the fresh market scene. WOW i actually felt sorry for those skinned frogs, but the ones still alive, I was glad they were in a net....(ugh). The skinned pig heads were a treat too, but we finally found some dae' ad then set out to find the bus station. Now the map does say not toscale, so we expected a bit of a walk, 3km later we finally get there and decide probaly better to catch a taxi in the morning rather than carry our gear. Sightseeing in Phitsanulok consisted of more Wats with Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat (Wat Yai) being the most famous for its large buddha. Of course we think we can both fit into 1 tuk tuk, so we piled ourselves in and off the driver started to ride. We road like this part of the way with everyone laughing at us all we can do is laugh as well. Our driver decided that it probaly wasnt best for danielle to be sitting on the back, bending over so her head could poke out the front so he stopped and got another tuk tuk driver to take her. We sat in the temple for a while watching people pray, offering flowers to the buddha, a monk blessing people and others shaking these sticks until one falls out. Of course we had to try, which was great until we went to get the symbol translated, but they only had the thai translation!!!! Will have to leave that til later. We wandered back along the river where the floating restaurants are and some locals fishing in the beautiful murky river. It was refreshing however to have a park along the river to walk through with nice gardens instaed of walking back through the streets flooded with the fumes from motor bikes and cars ( BICYCLES should be made compulsory here) Back at the hotel Danielle got chatting with two English guys while I was on the internet. One of them had lived in Thailand for 7 years but only knew how to order food in thai. He fell in love, married a Thai woman. The father of the owner (or 'baby' as he calls him) of the hotel was a character. He stood outside a while talking with a friend, armed with a slingshot for when this dirty big rat tries to get out of the drain. Every now and then they would speak urgently, then fire the slingshot and laugh. With a mixture of English and sign language I asked him if he had any luck and he replied simply 'No' then smiled. Dinner was at the flying vegetable, great food and location (right on the river which at night is actually great viewing). On the way home we wandered through the night bazarre admiring all the beautiful clothes that would only fit little Tahi people or petite girls which we are not....good money saver actually.