Yo People,

This is our last day in Sukothai and as you can see from the photos we're pretty 'ruined' out. We love the culture and interesting ruins and everything but really there is only so much you can take before you want to scream and run away! We've therefore made a pact to only go and see very special sights now.

On saturday we took a 'Saemthaew' (rickety bus) to the historical park and rented bicycles to see the ruins. The ruins here are supposed to be the best kept and awe inspiring in Thailand, and they were very beautiful, well kept and absolutly huge in comparrison to other sites we have previously been to. The bike ride however was the best bit as neither of us had been on one for a long time, it was quite comical watching each other try and get to grips with it once again. (You never forget how to ride a bike eh?) We now want to go to a National Park somewhere and have a nature bike ride. (Dan kindly mentioned that 'nature' over here isn't Bluetits and Bunny rabbits like the English countryside, so we wont be venturing off the beaten track too much for fear of poisonous snakes and crocs!)

Yesterday we relaxed out of principle because it was Sunday. We had a walk around the new part of Sukothai, and saw strange goings on in a nearby temple. Crowds of people were chanting loudly with speakers backing them up, and they all had strings around them attached to metal trays with flowers on them and each other. People on the road side had all parked their vehicles and had attached them and themselves via this string to the congregations somehow and were joining in. I interpreted it as being a prayer for health and good luck that they wanted to spread to themselves and their belongings direct from Buddha, but i cannot find any info anywhere to confrim this. let me know if you know what it was all in aid of. There is another similiar ritual where people going on journeys are given string around their rists to protect them, so maybe it is similar to that.

After walking aroung new Sukotai for a few hours in the baking sun we were exhausted and soaked through with sweat. I (dan) decided to get my great fluffy mop of hair chopped of (see photos) as it would be cooler. (sorry nan but i'm much more comfortable now)

Later in the evening we got brave and went to the night market and ordered some food of a stall. (we werent that brave it had English written signs so we new what we were ordering!). It was authentic thai food though and for 20Baht it was very good value for money. We ordered 'Pad thai', which if you ever go to Thailand you must have because it is yummy! Its fried rice noodles with grean beans and pork and other stuff and tastes like sweet nectar! (I personally thought it tasted like Chinese pork supernoodles(dan)). They gave Hay chop sticks to eat it with and she had to learn how to use them very quickly! (which she did with a little tuition and practice). I think the vendor gave them to us to catch us out coz we are farangs (foreigners), as the local next to me was given a fork and spoon!

As this wasn't very filling we went off in search of more food. We stumbled across a restaurant owned by an Italian and his Thai wife, serving pizzas. Now Dan had been craving pizza for days so we ordered one to share! (at least we did it in style in an authentic italian!).

After that we visited the guest house next door to ours. We were going to stay there but the matress was comfier next door, however the guy that owns next door loves his films and the staff speak English so we went for a couple of beers and watched freaky friday amidst other backpackers for a bit of home comfort.

Today we are planning our trip north to Panang (tomorrow) to see the Elephant conservation Centre (with camera at the ready!) We are starting to fantasize about beaches and southern thailand now as the heat is getting to us but further North should see us cooler climes so fingers crossed.

Just a quick word also to Caroline to say thanks for the message was lovely to hear from you! and also to ask if you have a group can you ask if i'm on the right track out here and if there is any advice??! thank you.

Also Jake well done on the football mate wish i could've been there to watch you, very nice to hear from you and when you sign for Man Utd I want season tickets. xx

Speak soon, love to you all xxxxxx