We started the day with a 6:15 AM cab-ride to the Chiang Mai Bus Station No. 2. We caught a 7 AM “Second Class Bus with Air-Conditioning” to our next destination; the city of Sukhothai Thani, also known as New Sukhothai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Sukhothai). I must note here that not unlike other developing nations we have travelled to; in Thailand, air-conditioning equals luxury so more air-conditioning must mean more luxury. Thus, our air-conned bus was more like a refrigerated bus.

Chiang Mai Bus Station No 2 at 6:30 o’dark in the AM.

We have arrived at the Sukhothai Thani bus station.

Unlike our mere Second-Class bus, the VIP Bus across the way featured it’s own stewardess and drink service, no less. Unfortunately, according to reports, it also comes with a high incidence of theft from the patrons’ luggage. So, as cool as having a bus-stewardess sounds; maybe, the First-Class or Second-Class buses are safer bets.

The VIP Bus even has a stewardess and drink service… and a high incidence of luggage-theft.

After a much-anticipated potty break (it was a 5 hour ride), we grabbed a tuk-tuk to the EZ House Cafe and Guesthouse (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g303921-d3308618-Reviews-EZ_House-Sukhothai_Sukhothai_Province.html). The owner of this tuk-tuk must be some serious about his tunes…

Tuk-tuk has quite the sound system.

We checked in and then went in search of lunch. The place the EZ staff recommended was closed. So, we just found a noodle place that was full of locals. It had great food and the total for the two of us was 90 Baht (about $3 USD) including the i-coffees.

Roger’s gone native.

It was now mid-afternoon, mondo-humid, and over 100 Degrees Fahrenheit. So, like the intrepid travellers we are, we high-tailed it back to our room… where we bowed down and paid due respect to Buddhaire Saijo Denki – our new favourite-friend, the room air conditioner. I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on this blog. And Eron snuck a photo of me at work. Yes, the secret is finally out… I’m a naked blog-writer…

Naked blog-writing.

Once the sun came down to a reasonable angle, it “cooled” off enough to venture out for a stroll through New Sukhothai.

A truly outdoor bar.

Hard way to make a living.

Shop-keeper’s daughter.

There are street-foods galore in New Sukhothai.

Surprise, surprise; we’re looking for food again. For dinner we found a street-restaurant on the sidewalk of the main drag. It had electric lighting, fans, and even a TV. The dishes were surprisingly Chinese-like but delicious, freshly cooked, and served quickly.

Street-restaurant with TV and fans.