Thai kingdoms: Sukhothai
February 1st, 2010
Tags: food, Sukhothai, Thailand
Posted in Destinations by Meghan
We are making a couple stops on our way north. Our first stop was Sukhothai, a 700 year old ancient kingdom. Admittedly, I was partly drawn to Sukhothai because it shares the same name as my 2nd favourite Thai restaurant in Ottawa.
[unrelated discussion]
Back home I take my Thai food seriously, and Ottawa has a disproportionally high number of excellent Thai restaurants. Of all world cuisines, Thai reigns supreme in my books. In order to make just and accurate rankings, I will order the same few dishes at each restaurant. These include the staple Pad Thai (Mark’s fave), chicken or beef panang plus a wildcard dish such as beef with lemongrass, yellow curry, green curry, papaya salad or some kind of meat with cashew nuts. Incidentally, in my mind there is no such thing as bad Pad Thai, it’s all satisfyingly good especially compared to Indonesian msg-laden mie goreng (fried noodles) bleh. My number one in Ottawa, fyi, is Siam Bistro based on quality, quantity, price point and ambiance (Sukhothai is #2, Nokum Thai is #3…). The food in Sukhothai did not quite live up to it’s Ottawa namesake, but the ancient city did not disappoint. I’ve gotten carried away with food again, back to the city…
[/end unrelated discussion]
The old city is very spread out and requires wheels to efficiently get around. We rented bicycles and casually rode around the sites, dismounting to explore up close or to laze on the tranquil lawns. Basic structures of brick and some concrete, void of all colourful ornamentation, are what remains of the city. There are also many beautiful, long fingered, long toed, long eared, jointless Buddha. Ever notice their lack of joints like elbows and ankles? Must be how they sit in the lotus position so effortlessly. [unrelated] Perhaps I too will lose joints if I practice enough yoga, this will be good for countering arthritis as my bones age. [/unrelated]
Even in it’s whithered state, the beauty of the old city is breathtaking. The shapes and proportions are flawless. It was nice that the structures were left in their naturally aged states; left to their own will. There are crumbling towers and crooked walls. No patchwork and no supports keeping them in place. We found this kind of restoration work disappointing and disjointed in places like the Acropolis or Pompeii. Although neither of us are particularly spiritual people, there is something about visiting a place like Sukhothai that moves you. Who knows, perhaps along our travels, our search for knowledge, we will find enlightenment yet.
February 1st, 2010
Keep going. The knowledge will grow and the enlightenment will come. Just stay open to receive it.
February 1st, 2010
Sukhothai’s Gang Garee Gai is one of the best dished I have ever tasted… Ottawa’s Sukhothai that is.
February 1st, 2010
Guess where we are going for dinner tonight? Yummy, Sukhothai. Unrelated… how’s the beer? Lovely to hear about your adventures in Thailand - keep them coming fast a furious! Love…. Mother Goose
February 2nd, 2010
Ooh gang garee gai you say? Please do tell more. I shall look for that one here. Mom did you try that one?
February 5th, 2010
Gang Garee Gai is potato and chicken with yellow curry cooked in and coconut milk. Think soft potatoes and fall-apart chicken covered in a creamy curry/coconut sauce. Mmmm.
February 6th, 2010
Hi Guys,
Meg, I’m not sure if you remember me or not, I used to work at Lock March a while ago, Friends with Brittany Hudson, and Have a Cottage on the Redeau where I ran into you guys once. Well About a month ago I was at a dinner with an older couple and they mentioned your website, not realizing that I knew this person, I went on. Long story short, I enjoy reading your Posts and especially the pictures, which are amazing. I liked the budjet breakdown as I was curious about the cost of such a trip. Anyway, everything is very inspiring and I wish you both the best as you continue the adventure.
Cheers,
Ross.
February 11th, 2010
February 11th, 2010
Thanks Ross. I emailed you.