What Wrong? ...... Wat rong khun!

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The trip on the green bus to Chiang Rai was clean and comfortable and even came with an on board hostess....or host. Lady-boy or Katoey to be precise. I've seen some stunningly beautiful Katoey in Thailand, this was not one of those.
We were handed some sort of jatz and chocolate sandwich, a bottle of water and a refresher towel for the 3hr trip into the mountains.
The journey was uneventful apart from the door swinging open while I was on the loo as we rounded a corner, exposing me to the back of the bus.


The night bazaar in Chiang Rai was much more relaxed than that of Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Friendly faces said hello leaving us to browse.
We stumbled across a bar named The Teepee Bar. The walls were covered in what most would consider junk. Broken electricity boards, rusty bird cages, bones from random animals and old number plates were scattered around the dark room. We sat atop wooden stumps upstairs where giant fluffy rabbits hopped about eating pellets from the floor.
Then it rained.
The tuk tuk driver was asleep when we found him. He was extremely happy to have a fare and we bartered with him, agreed on a price and then discovered he had no idea where we were headed and was drunk as a skunk.
In the dark of the night, upon flooded streets, we swerved down alleys and across bridges. We drove fast...and then s-l-o-w...... So slow that at times we were not moving at all, unbeknown to our shitfaced driver. He spashed a bottle of water over the windscreen so he could see better, which made absolute sense in the pelting rain.
We did not die and we did make it home eventually after getting lost a few times. So we laughed along with him.

The traffic in Chiang Rai is a little less crazy than Chiang Mai so we bartered for some scooters with our guesthouse owner. She ended up renting us 2 scooters, one of which turned out to be her Aunt's and was promtly stolen back from us on our return.
After Craig studied the map for a while, we scooted out of town... So far out of town in fact, that we had gone 25km's past our turn off. Which is a bloody long way on a motorbike with wheels that small. Note to self: Don't let Craig lead the way.
We asked for directions at several places, and each time we're pointed down a different road.
After riding lost and confused down the quiet country roads we eventually found the massive white wat we were seaching for. It stuck out like dogs balls...for those on the right road.
Wat Rong Khun is without a doubt the most magnificent wat I have seen. Covered in tiny mirrors and blending traditional with modern art it truly is a sight to behold.

Another 19kms down the road we rode, the giant full-faced helmet weighing heavily and my bum beginning to numb.
Soybeans lay drying in the sun, chickens and buffalo wandered freely and the air became cold.
We left the bikes and walked, a further 2 kms through the bamboo forest to the waterfall. Locals ate lunch in the mist and the mosquitos arrived so we left.

The ride home was much quicker and a good 40km shorter.

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Photos

Brmmm Brmmm
Look out!

Wat Rong Khun
Covered in little mirrors...this wat is spectacular.

Comments

[Mum]

What wrong?
Dear Mon, Loving reading your blogs. Sounds like you are having a fabulous time.