This is a one-day trip to Phitsanulok, a city with many beautiful natural attractions. The city is home to the Phra Buddha Chinnarat, a highly revered Buddha statue enshrined at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, also known as "Wat Yai" by the locals. This first-class royal temple is located on Phutthabucha Road in the Mueang district, on the east bank of the Nan River. Built in 1900, the temple houses the Phra Buddha Chinnarat, widely considered one of the most beautiful Buddha statues in Thailand. The provincial motto aptly reflects the city's charm: "The exquisite Phra Buddha Chinnarat, birthplace of King Naresuan, raft houses lining the Nan River, sweet sun-dried bananas, and stunning caves and waterfalls." This trip took place in April.

The Phitsanulok Railway Station features a vintage steam locomotive displayed in front of the station.

The cool morning air is perfect for a light breakfast. We'll grab a bite to eat in town before heading to a riverside cafe. This will allow us to enjoy the morning atmosphere by the Nan River.

In the past, when I was a child, I remember that there were still many raft houses. I had relatives and friends who lived in raft houses on both sides of the river. I used to jump into the water and play near my friend's raft house. We even swam away from the sticky rice dumplings. 5555 Now, there are not many raft houses in the city. They are located a little further away near the river outside the city. (Who knows what sticky rice dumplings mean... I don't know, I have to ask the children at the raft house. ^^)

A riverside restaurant in Nan in the morning. We stopped by my brother's regular spot, Keng's Fried Egg Restaurant. The prices are cheap and the food is delicious. A plate of fried eggs costs only 20 baht, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice is only 10 baht. They also have other dishes like kway chap, so you can choose whatever you like.

Traditional Thai coffee, 10 baht per glass, delicious and fragrant, with complimentary tea.

After a delicious meal, let's pay our respects to Luang Pho at Wat Yai. During February, there will also be an annual temple fair for those visiting Phitsanulok. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the vibrant festivities!

After paying respects to Luang Pho, we traveled to the Phitsanulok-Lom Sak road, which is known as the "Waterfall Road" due to its abundance of waterfalls. We visited Wat Ratchakireehiranyaram in Wang Thong district, where the "White Jade Guanyin," said to be the largest in the world, is enshrined. The temple is located in Wang Thong sub-district, Wang Thong district, approximately 14 kilometers from Phitsanulok city. We then proceeded to Sai Tee Hook Teng Shrine, also known as the "Monkey King Shrine" or "Doi Suthep 2 Viewpoint," which is situated on Khao Samo Klaeng and can be accessed via the same route.

The temple offers a scenic viewpoint atop Khao Samor Khlang. During the rainy season, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of lush green rice fields.

Drive further up to the Sai Tiew Hok Teng Shrine, a peaceful and serene area considered by the Chinese community to have excellent feng shui. This shrine was established by a group of Chinese people. During the Vegetarian Festival, many people travel here to observe the vegetarian diet. The site is beautiful, with numerous Chinese statues. There is also an opportunity to donate to the pauper's cemetery and donate rice to the poor.

The Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Guanyin, also known as the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, is a revered figure in Mahayana Buddhism. Depicted with a multitude of arms and eyes, each hand holding a different object, the Bodhisattva embodies compassion and wisdom. The objects held in each hand carry symbolic meanings. For instance, the hands holding the sun and moon represent the wisdom to discern skillful and unskillful emotions, recognizing the inherent duality of the natural world, where light and darkness, good and evil, coexist.

The top floor houses the **Jade Emperor**, the supreme deity in Chinese mythology. He is depicted wearing imperial robes, similar to those worn by Chinese emperors.

The temple offers free meals throughout the day. Anyone who comes to make merit can stop by to enjoy delicious, fresh, and clean food. The stir-fried rice noodles are especially popular, and the chefs at the temple are truly skilled.

Descending from the mountain, we stopped at Wang Thong District to buy grilled chicken and papaya salad from a roadside stall to eat at Poi Waterfall. The grilled chicken was incredibly fragrant, with tender meat grilled over low heat. It was delicious! Would you like one?^^

Let's go rafting at Poi Waterfall! Pa Poi is located in Kaeng Sopha Subdistrict, Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province. It was created by villagers who came together to build rafts to welcome tourists to experience the natural beauty of the Khek River and Poi Waterfall. It officially opened in October 2016. We went before it opened and were able to enjoy the beautiful nature without many tourists. There are rafts by the waterfall where you can sit and eat by the Poi River, or you can hire them to take you rafting. The raft costs around 300-500 baht, and if you rent the raft for the whole day, it costs 500 baht. One raft can accommodate up to 8 people and comes with life jackets. We went rafting!

Crystal-clear water reveals the stunning natural beauty along both sides of the riverbank. In April, the water level remains high and exceptionally clear.

We found a suitable spot for the raft. We asked the raft operator to stop and tie the raft there. We had lunch and played in the water.

At our floating market, you can order food and drinks from the menu. The raft puller will take your order and bring it to you. Afterwards, a local villager will drive a boat to deliver your food and collect payment. The food is delicious and reasonably priced.

The water is crystal clear and refreshingly cool, making it a perfect place to enjoy a swim.

After a delightful morning of swimming and relaxing, we returned to shore in the afternoon.

Change clothes on the shore, then stop by to take pictures at the nearby wooden suspension bridge.

On the way back, I stopped by Ban Mung in Khao Hin Son. It's a popular tourist destination these days. I wonder if the page admin is good (hehe).

Nestled amidst limestone mountains estimated to be over 300 million years old, the quaint village of Noen Maprang boasts numerous caves and scenic landscapes. Located approximately 68 kilometers from Phitsanulok city, this hidden gem offers a unique and picturesque escape. During a recent visit during the hot season, the dry vegetation created a captivatingly different aesthetic, while the cool breeze provided a refreshing respite from the expected heat. The village's beauty is further enhanced by the dedication of the Noen Maprang Page's admin, who facilitated a memorable exploration and captured stunning photographs. A special thanks to "พี่ตุ่น" for their invaluable contribution.

The review of the Two Streams City trip has concluded. See you again next year when the sky is new. :)

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