So Chrismas Day has arrived and I'm thankfull for a better night's sleep. Only on one other occasion have I spent Christmas outside the UK and it was, as it is today, a different ecperiance lacking the intence commercialism that is associated with Christmas these days. We've chosen a quiet lacation and it's as if Christmas isn't happening. At 11:00 AM we are still in the room staring at four walls wondering what to do next. Finally we make a move.
The issue with Sukhothai and surrounding districts is that we've covered this area in great detail on past visits so it's difficult to find something new. I first agreed with Katoon to head into the hills and there are options. On the tourist map close to the border with Lampang province is an area known as Chao Ram. Could this be what I'm looking for to make the day special. With a late start, we could almost take lunch soon after we depart but we head on though sparcely populated districts into the mountains. After no small distance we take a basic lunch in a local shop then reach Chao Ram Reservoir finding it totally deserted. There is no cloud in the sky today magnifying the heat.
Chao Ram Dam is typical with rock and earth dams found in many parts of Thailand. The view of mounains in the distance is striking be there's nothing else to see. The area is totally deserted. However, we didn't come all this way to see a reservior and continue further into the mountains. Soon we reach the entrance to the Chao Ram Forest Park. Often these parks are free but here there is a foreigner entance fee of 200 baht. For a brief visit this is not really worth it, at this time of day for a particular reason. The prominant Chao Ram Mountain has caves and in those caves there are bats: Remember those? The nickname of Sukhothai FC. The problem with seeing bats though is that you experience them at their best as they fly of of their caves at dusk. So basically right place, wrong time. With this in mind at least we are allowed into the park for free just to see what's inside. As we drive up close to the mountain we can see the area is set up for the 'bat show', but now it's deserted. We need to head back.
It's puzzling as to what I should be doing to celebrate Christmas and I'm thing 'bat hunting' doesn't cut it somehow. Then in the heat of the day why should I be travelling at all? I head back to Sukhothai stopping at the with a feeling that I've achieved little. We reach the familier entrance to The Sukhothai Historic Park where at least, there are significant signs of life with the usual, cafes and shops that attract tourists. I'm looking for something to remind me it's Christmas, but with little indication of that, I just grab a beer to take back to the room.
The next hour or so I spend communicating with family back home, and I should be content with that. Then finally, some signs of celebration are in the offing as Katoon suggests a restaurant south of the city. Hunsa Centerpoint is a popular cafe and steakhouse with a modern loft-style atmosphere, serving coffee, desserts, and main dishes like steaks and Thai-Western fusion food. It's a favorite spot among locals and tourists visiting Sukhothai. We arrive to find an amazing selection from the menu at reasonable prices. For once I order what I want, not what I need, as after all it's Christmas. The problem is that Katoon does the same, and the amount of food on the table is ridiculous. I order a steak meal and spaghetti dish, while Katoon orders a Caesar salad. Not much more is needed, but the dear lady orders a whole rack of ribs as well. On top of that, the portions are just huge. There is the option of a doggy bag, but we succeed in making pigs of ourselves.
As meals go, it's one of the best I've ever had, but what about the bill? I hand the waitress 500 baht and say, 'Keep the change.' It cost about 12 pounds, and to think you can just walk in at Christmas for a meal like this is just astonishing.

Source: Visit