Day 5, Sunday 24 September - Bang Khen, Bangkok
Second Impression....... I noted yesterday that Blue House has a good review record from the likes of Agoda, Booking.com etc. However, at my age there are extra restrictions for comfort and well-being and climbing a flight of stairs is one of them. It's clearly a handicap if you must carry luggage to another floor. Apart from that although there was coffee in reception there is no milk this morning. For these reasons we would not use this accommodation again. Nevertheless, due to our need to be flexible we always have a backup plan and can cater in the room when necessary. This observation out of the way I can now concentrate on the day ahead.
Plan B....... It was decided that plan A was a return to Bangkok today, but yesterday's rather disappointing end has complicated things. Even though it puts a great strain on the day, I move Plan B which will still allow us to return to Bangkok tonight but via a different route. We first head back to Phitsanulok, avoiding the railway station this time. Instead, we head for Nakhon Sawan but passing through Phichit Province there is the opportunity to add another attraction.
Wat Mai Plai Huai (Temple of the Crocodile)....... The Daily Roar says this about Wat Mai Plai Huai. 'Within the temple complex there are many pretty buildings, shrines, and statues to send your camera into overdrive. A small golden building with a shimmering red and golden roof rises out of a pink lotus flower, lots of small Buddha statues are housed within the alcoves of a pagoda, statues of former Thai kings stand in front of a white bell-shaped chedi, and a tall white pillar is topped with a golden wheel of life. There are many different architectural styles throughout the grounds, with designs typical from different parts of the country. Many golden Buddha statues top memorials dedicated to people who have died, and there are numerous other statues of the Lord Buddha, large elephants, monkeys, and more.
This visit is an opportunity I'm glad I didn't miss. In addition to walking around the grounds taking photographs I get the opportunity to witness a water cleansing ceremony which is well supported by local people. It's time now to make more progress.
Nakhon Sawan Train Station....... Arriving in Nakhon Sawan there's no need for me to make any site visits. Nakhon Sawan was well covered on a previous visit. Inevitably I make my way to the railway station and allow myself a good hour as I wait for two services to arrive. Capturing videos of Thai trains has been a feature of this tour so far and provides good material for my Youtube channel.
Farm Supplies @ Nakhon Sawan....... Returning to Hwy 1 We notice an attraction on the left-hand side. Curiously named farm supplies @ Nakhon Sawan this is in fact a recreational park created around a small lake run by the Orbortor sub-district (local community). This is a family friendly attraction especially suitable at weekends where there are events, catering and general recreation. It's in these types of situations that Thailand excels. For us it's the opportunity to buy something from the many street market vendors and for me a chance to take more photographs.
Uthai Thani....... At 4:00pm it's quite an easy drive back to Bangkok from here but as I suggested, it's about to become difficult as we head in a completely different direction. We head west towards the provincial capital Uthai Thani. No, there is no train station here but something just as pleasing. At 5:15pm We arrive at the base of Sakae Krang Hill where Uthai Thani Provincial Stadium is located and yes, we've come for a football game, a game between Uthai Thani and Ratchaburi.
Kick Off....... The game kicks off at 6:00pm under the fading light with the impressive Sakae Krang Hill in the background. In the first half the home team makes all the running but miss three clear chances while at the other end a Ratchaburi prayer blazes well over the bar with only goalkeeper to beat. The second half is cagier affair with neither team dominating. However, the deadlock is broken in the 62nd minute when after a VAR review the home team is awarded a penalty. #11 Ricardo Santos steps up and converts bringing the house down. Uthai Thani get their first win of the season but both teams are struggling in this league.
As far as the stadium is concerned, I'm quite impressed. It's one of the better ones in this league and the team is well supported. I'm glad I attended but now it's a matter of getting back to Bangkok which is still over 200 kilometres away. It's a late return to base obviously and we arrive at 10:45pm. My sincere thanks to my partner who has done all the driving on this trip putting in a 12 hour shift which is quite impressive.
First Page.
Second Impression....... I noted yesterday that Blue House has a good review record from the likes of Agoda, Booking.com etc. However, at my age there are extra restrictions for comfort and well-being and climbing a flight of stairs is one of them. It's clearly a handicap if you must carry luggage to another floor. Apart from that although there was coffee in reception there is no milk this morning. For these reasons we would not use this accommodation again. Nevertheless, due to our need to be flexible we always have a backup plan and can cater in the room when necessary. This observation out of the way I can now concentrate on the day ahead.
Plan B....... It was decided that plan A was a return to Bangkok today, but yesterday's rather disappointing end has complicated things. Even though it puts a great strain on the day, I move Plan B which will still allow us to return to Bangkok tonight but via a different route. We first head back to Phitsanulok, avoiding the railway station this time. Instead, we head for Nakhon Sawan but passing through Phichit Province there is the opportunity to add another attraction.
Wat Mai Plai Huai (Temple of the Crocodile)....... The Daily Roar says this about Wat Mai Plai Huai. 'Within the temple complex there are many pretty buildings, shrines, and statues to send your camera into overdrive. A small golden building with a shimmering red and golden roof rises out of a pink lotus flower, lots of small Buddha statues are housed within the alcoves of a pagoda, statues of former Thai kings stand in front of a white bell-shaped chedi, and a tall white pillar is topped with a golden wheel of life. There are many different architectural styles throughout the grounds, with designs typical from different parts of the country. Many golden Buddha statues top memorials dedicated to people who have died, and there are numerous other statues of the Lord Buddha, large elephants, monkeys, and more.
This visit is an opportunity I'm glad I didn't miss. In addition to walking around the grounds taking photographs I get the opportunity to witness a water cleansing ceremony which is well supported by local people. It's time now to make more progress.
Nakhon Sawan Train Station....... Arriving in Nakhon Sawan there's no need for me to make any site visits. Nakhon Sawan was well covered on a previous visit. Inevitably I make my way to the railway station and allow myself a good hour as I wait for two services to arrive. Capturing videos of Thai trains has been a feature of this tour so far and provides good material for my Youtube channel.
Farm Supplies @ Nakhon Sawan....... Returning to Hwy 1 We notice an attraction on the left-hand side. Curiously named farm supplies @ Nakhon Sawan this is in fact a recreational park created around a small lake run by the Orbortor sub-district (local community). This is a family friendly attraction especially suitable at weekends where there are events, catering and general recreation. It's in these types of situations that Thailand excels. For us it's the opportunity to buy something from the many street market vendors and for me a chance to take more photographs.
Uthai Thani....... At 4:00pm it's quite an easy drive back to Bangkok from here but as I suggested, it's about to become difficult as we head in a completely different direction. We head west towards the provincial capital Uthai Thani. No, there is no train station here but something just as pleasing. At 5:15pm We arrive at the base of Sakae Krang Hill where Uthai Thani Provincial Stadium is located and yes, we've come for a football game, a game between Uthai Thani and Ratchaburi.
Kick Off....... The game kicks off at 6:00pm under the fading light with the impressive Sakae Krang Hill in the background. In the first half the home team makes all the running but miss three clear chances while at the other end a Ratchaburi prayer blazes well over the bar with only goalkeeper to beat. The second half is cagier affair with neither team dominating. However, the deadlock is broken in the 62nd minute when after a VAR review the home team is awarded a penalty. #11 Ricardo Santos steps up and converts bringing the house down. Uthai Thani get their first win of the season but both teams are struggling in this league.
As far as the stadium is concerned, I'm quite impressed. It's one of the better ones in this league and the team is well supported. I'm glad I attended but now it's a matter of getting back to Bangkok which is still over 200 kilometres away. It's a late return to base obviously and we arrive at 10:45pm. My sincere thanks to my partner who has done all the driving on this trip putting in a 12 hour shift which is quite impressive.
First Page.
Phichit Province
Wat Mai Plai Huai, Sam Ngam District
Nakhon Sawan Province
Farm Supplies @ Nakhon Sawan, Klang Daet, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District
Uthai Thani Province
Uthai Thani Provincial Stadium, Uthai Mai, Mueang Uthai Thani District