Phitsanulok

  Phitsanulok, Thailand
Monday, December 29, 2003

Another former capital, Phitsanulok was a tremendously fun stop for us. Our guide took us to a night market, where we ate the local specialty: insects! Spiders, grasshoppers, little mealybug type things, and even those giant black scorpions were for sale. Our guide said even he didn't eat the scorpions.

We then went to a restaurant for some brandy and morning glory. I got to participate in the ritual catching of the morning glory. Dress up in a funny costume, climb to the top of a 25 foot tall platform, and then try to catch sizzling morning glory in a frying pan as the chef arcs it through the air!

The next morning, we saw the Wat Yai, as well as some local craft shops.