Chiang Mai

The train has a small delay in the morning as we wait for a new engine to be attached to the front so we have enough mojo to make it up the hills. The terrain is hillier here, lots of rocky outcroppings and banana trees.

We arrive shortly after 12pm in Chiang Mai and drop our bags at the People's Place Guest House. We only have a few hours before we head to the famous Doi Suthep temple that overlooks Chiang Mai, so we bust it down to the old city to grab some grub and check out the Wat Phra Singh.

Chiang Mai seems supremely cleaner and ultimately more affluent than the parts of Bangkok we encountered.

The old city is surrounded by a moat and a very old wall from the fourteenth century which we learn has been disassembled in sections and used to build the airport (!). We head to Aum Vegetarian Food for some fantastic lasse's (papaya and mango), spicy mushroom soup for Jenn and a potato veggie stir fry for Keir.







Refueled, we zip our way over to the temple. The highlight is the beautiful viharn lai kam - a wooden treasure of early 19th century architecture. Inside, is a portly and much revered bronze Buddha. We spend some time sitting with the meditating monks soaking up the calm atmosphere (and cooling down) before hopping on a tuk tuk to make it back to our hotel for our 3:30pm departure to the temple on the hill.


















These monks are intense with their meditative stare...




Doi Suthep is Northern Thailand's most holiest shrine because of the magic relic of The Buddha entombed in its chedi. One reaches the shrine by a 45 minute drive up mountain followed by a 300 step climb to the entrance. The shrine overlooks the city below and it is truly a lovely site - especially as evening falls.





The whole area is a bustling mixture of tourists and devout worshippers who have come to pay homage to the Buddha.

















The story goes that the location of the temple was decided by the elephant who carried the Buddha's relics. The elephant walked and walked, and then, at this site it made three counter clockwise circles and then sat down - thus marking it as an auspicious place.




The upper terrace consists of carved wood, gleaming metal and ceremonial umbrellas that surround the golden cheti. We spend a good hour walking, learning and being before we partake in observing the highlight of the visit - the evening chants that the resident monks observe.

























Just one of the many stunning types of orchids on display.




Back in town, we rush out to first grab some food at the night market stalls and then wander the markets. We see the "ladyboys" in full cabaret costume getting ready for their evening performance. We peruse the stalls of goods and watch Thai dancers and local musicians.