Day 1
We decided for our first day we would do a walking tour of the city. We found it in our favorite book Lonely Planet. All sights are well documented in the photos under Chiang Mai Day 1. I would say there were four highlights.
Wat Chedi Luang had monks, that were preserved in glass cases. It was unbelievable, truely. Sean thought they were real, I knew they were not real people, but I could not believe they were preserved bodies. Still it is a bit of mystery to us. The Thai people seemed as intrigued by it as we did.
Another highligt was the women's correctional faciltiy. You could get a massage there for about 4 dollars US. The money goes to the women when they are released. We did not get a massages there, but maybe next time.
The third highlight would be the water blessing. The video of this is below. You can see it step by step, raising the water up to be dumped on the Chedi as a form of blessing.
The last highlight was dinner. We ate a restaurant called House, they had the most delicious tapas and homemade bread. The setting was also quite beautiful, as there were flowers everywhere.
Day 2 Trecking Chiang Mai
This day was our biggest challenge, physically. First we hiked up a mountain to see a tribal group there known as Mhonk people. Their tribe has had many changes throughout the years. They used to be a wealthy people because they harvested and produced opium. The men during this time also did little work and had many wives. Today the men do most of the work, and the women stay home. They now harvest vegetables to sell and are quite poor. The child below is my favorite, as she was the one misbehaving.
Next, it was to an elephant ride. This elephant ride was SO much more intense than the other one we did. I was telling the elephant I would buy it a banana if it would be good, which it would not. It was younger and somewhat not following what the elephant trainer was telling it to do. At one point we were wrapped around a tree, and I just had to close my eyes and hope for the best.
After elephants was a delicious lunch, and then the Karen Tribe people. These people are known for their weavings, and usually make scarfs and pajamas. Great pictures of this as well.
The last adventure was to hike to a waterfall and then go on a raft ride. The waterfall was incredible and the raft was straight out of Huck Finn, something I could have made myself. There are no pictures of this because we did not want to take the camera for fear of it getting wet, which proved to be a good decision. The man steering the raft behind us kept claiming, "No wet, no fun" So he succeeded in getting Sean and I soaked. Then, we talked him in to letting us go down this waterfall part, that they usually dont let tourist go down. It was great.
The highlight of this day was actually an American that was on the tour. I mean he really left the whole group with a memorable expression. The group consisted of two French girls, two Thai girls, a couple from Japan, and a couple from China, and then the three Americans (sean, myself, and "the guy")
Well first off, once he started talking he never stopped, literally never. Second, he asked more questions than any small child I have ever met. He would ask things like what's that made out of? Why do they do that? How old was she when she learned to do that? Does she like doing that? What does that mean? Our guide handled it pretty well for a while, and then he just started pretending like he didnt know what he was saying.
Also, it took him about thirty minutes longer than everyone else to get up the mountain, and the spectacle he made when he got up the mountain left the two French girls with looks of horror on their faces. All in all a pretty standard performance for an American, at least the ones we have met here.
Day 3 Doi Suthep is a Wat on the mountain that leaves a stunning view of Chiang Mai. I will say the trip up the mountain, in the back of this truck left Sean and I feeling very motion sick. It was well worth it, but those of you coming to visit (Chuck, Alicia, Kylie, Shannon, Mom, John) we will not be going up with you, you are on your own. There is no way I would do that to myself again.
Puphing Palace This is the Royal Winter Palace. It was very beautiful, but even further up the mountain than the temple. There were beautiful flowers, fountains, and houses.
Wat U Mong. The last one we say was Wat U Mong. This is known has a forest wat, surrounded by trees and a small lake. Also, the Buddha is inside a cave, which was pretty cool. The pictures did not turn out so good.
Chiang Mai was wonderful, and we were extremely tired when we got back. There is still so much to see there, even though we filled everyday with as many activities as possible. It was a very great place to spend the New Year. Happy New Year!!!
Sean and Jana
