Chiangmai,though the largest city in northern Thailand is minute compared to Bangkok. With only about 250,000 people in the city itself it is a welcome change. It is referred to as the Rose of the north and there is plenty to keep the multitude of visitors busy. Built in 1296 it was originally a walled city and pieces of the wall remain today. The moat that surrounded the city is intact and still used.. Chiangmai has over 300 temples, a bustling night market ,restaurants galore and an active night life for those that want it. Chiangmai is also the center for various Thai handicrafts and there is hiking and wildlife nearby. There are no buses in Chiangmai but there is a multitude of tuk tuks and red trucks with seating in the covered back for up to eight people which are hired like taxis so it is very easy to get around. Like the rest of the country the people are warm and friendly and we were pleased to find that there were lots of massage parlors offering ridiculously cheap but excellent massages. It is going to be quite the shock to get home and not have daily massages!
On our first night in Chiangmai we went to a Thai dance show. The costumes were beautiful and the dancers so graceful. At the end they got us up but I will not be posting any of those pictures.
These dancers were representative of dragons.
We got up at dawn to take part in a special merit ceremony at the temple at the foot of Doi Suthep where we each lit a candle and incense and then laid flowers in front of the Buddha while silently making a wish
We then each placed a piece of gold leaf on the Buddha. It is rather special to realize that it will be there for all time
We took part in giving alms to the local monks. Dozens of monks came out of the temple and people of all ages were there to give them hot and packaged food. They will go back and eat the hot food and drop off the packaged food to be prepared for them as they are not allowed to cook. All their food must also be consumed before noon each day as they can only have water after that. Buddhists believe that by giving offerings to the monks they will earn merit for future lives as they believe in reincarnation.
After one puts something in he bowl of the monk they chant a blessing. We did this several times and it was quite the experience.
A visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which sits 3000 feet above the city involves climbing up 306 stairs. We were lucky to get there early and be greeted by these monks.
This large Chedi is covered with gold plates. From the temple grounds there are panoramic views of the city and the surrounding area.
Here we were given a blessing by an elderly monk and anointed with holy water. He must have had extra because we got quite wet.
This is the initiation hall where new monks are taken into the order. No woman is allowed to enter.
Stopping at a jade workshop we saw some spectacular carvings and some wonderful colours of jade. The interesting thing was that they got most of their jade from Canada.
At Wat Phra Singh built over six hundred years ago this Chedi was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the mid 1500s and left as is
Though the stairs are gone the figures remain with some restoration done to prevent further decay
The massive temple with its gold plated pillars and ceiling was stunning. Chairs were set for a special event as Thailand had just appointed a new head monk a couple of days before.
Outside the monks were serving all kinds of food in celebration. It was all free and they were eager to share and to talk with us. Tina wanted to have her picture taken with one which was interesting as they can not get close to a female so they will not be tempted so she had to stand about four feet away. Even a young female child cannot touch a monk.
Steve was looking for customers but none materialized
This is Wat Chiangmai Man which is the oldest temple in the city and is where the ashes of the Chiangmai Royal Family are enshrined.
Several temples in Thailand had wax figures of monks who had passed away sitting in front on the Buddha statue. Must admit I did not realize at first that they were wax.
It was wonderful having a local guide who knew the best little restaurants to eat at. This one was fantastic and was full of locals. No tour groups or such and the food was cheap and delicious. We let Nok order the food and we tried things we never would have otherwise.
Spinning silk from cocoons
Food carts everywhere in case you get hungry
The free hand that this woman did at the lacquer ware factory was amazing
A definite highlight of our trip and an experience of a lifetime was our time at the Elephant Life Experience,which is a small elephant preserve where the four of us had our own private experience.
After changing into real mahout outfits and getting a lesson in elephant behavior we went for a ride on our elephants bareback. Thankfully we had help getting on as they are very large animals
For some unknown reason I the smaller in the group was given the biggest elephant. When he first stood up I was nervous but soon excitement overtook that. What an experience.
We painted some pictures with the elephants which was fun
We then rode across the river and through the jungle before returning to camp
After all that work an elephant needs a bath and we were only too happy to climb into the river and help out.
The elephants thought we needed to wash our hair so they helped us out as well
Four very wet but very happy " mahouts"
Finished the perfect experience with a rafting trip down the river all with permanent grins on our faces
A visit to the Thung Luang Hill Tribe Village was fascinating as various hill tribes live here together all maintaining their own traditions
We were invited into this home where five people reside
Everyone was so friendly and welcoming
This lady mills her own rice with the log mill
The residents grow their own rice and vegetables
The women do hand crafts to sell. There is a lot of weaving
The women of this tribe are known for their earlobes. They start young and keep putting in weight to lengthen the lobe. We found it a bit off putting
Unlike in Myanmar where we saw the long necked women at a market here this is their home. They are members of the Padong tribe and did originally come from Myanmar long ago.
The younger girls of the tribe were eager to interacts and show you the hardware that they are wearing
This tribe starts putting on the ring at three and keeps increasing the length until age 45 or marriage whichever comes first. Seems like a good argument for early marriage to me
These are the homes and stands of the village.
We were invited to the home of the owners of Wanna Tours who had set up our time in Thailand. We had a wonderful evening with delicious food and great company. What a treat.
The Kings Pagoda. The gardens around were stunning
A Thai wine shop at a local market
All these greenhouses are part of a royal project where the King helped locals who used to grow opium illegally start growing fruit and vegetables and sell them at markets for a profit and a better lifestyle.
Visited a local coffee farm where coffee is still made by hand
No Starbucks here. The coffee was delicious.
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