Northern Thailand Here we Come

Today we left Bangkok for northern Thailand. We had to take an alternate route because the flooding damaged the main highway to the north. We had to bypass Ayutthaya because it is under water, so we will see another site tomorrow. We stopped in Lopburi "Monkey City." They weren't kidding. There are approximately 20,000 monkeys that roam the city, churches, schools etc. The Monkey Temple was an adventure. They were everywhere and tried to hitch a ride on one of the ladies in the group. She started screaming. They also tried follow us inside the temple, so the gate was closed behind us.

However, there were bats already in there. Back outside I walked around and a smaller one jumped onto my leg. While I was getting my picture taken one jumped onto my back. We were told that they are becoming more aggressive because there are more of them and they are having to fight for the food. It was creepy with so many of them. We also visited a bronze factory to see how Buddhas are made.

After arriving in Phitsanulok many of us went with our guides by rickshaw to the Night Market to see fried silk worms, crickets, water beetles, grasshoppers, etc. Then we went for some Thai whiskey and fried marigold. I tried the whiskey but the marigold - I don't think so. It looked like seaweed, then we strolled through the Night Market.

Tomorrow we head toward Lampang.