There’s not much here in Phitsanulok. It’s a staging post for most tourists on their way to our destination, Sukhothai. Having said that, we’ve found a small hotel which is great value, we’ve seen the second most revered Buddha in Thailand, come across the biggest outdoor aerobics class we’ve seen so far, around 200 people, witnessed flying vegetables and decided that is generally a very pleasant town with more to offer than Lonely Planet gives it credit for. On way back from Sukhothai we will stay again and discover a little more. Of course, the outstanding and free, internet connection at The Princess Green Hotel has nothing to do with that decision!!

Phitsanulok burnt to the ground in 1957 so there’s not much character about “downtown” but it is a vibrant city with a long promenade along the river. At night it comes alive with aerobics classes and people jogging. We’ve never come across a town so hell bent on staying fit!

We also saw a ridiculous activity on the promenade which made us both laugh. We’ll try and get a video and pics next time we come back. In the meantime, try and picture an outdoor restaurant, chef with large wok cooking greens on a flame engulfed hob. Got the picture? Now, picture a tourist standing on top of an old van, dressed in a hula skirt and wearing comedy breasts about 12 feet up and about 20 feet away from aforementioned chef. Tourist has a tray in hand. The next activity happens very quickly so be prepared. Chef has cooked the greens, tourist is hungry so chef turns his back on the tourist and hurls the greens over his head from the kitchen 20 feet and 12 feet up onto the tourist’s tray ……..hoorah shout the crowd and a huge round of applause follows…….plus more orders for Beer Chang!!

Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat (sometimes known as Wat Yai) houses a Buddha which is second only to The Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Donations at the Wat are in excess of £250,000/year which is quite staggering when the average wage here in Thailand is less than £2k/year and there are Wats getting donations on almost every street corner. When we visited there were no other western tourists but bus loads of Thai’s come to pay homage. See the pics.

We will update this entry when we return in a few days.