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Published: August 4th 2008
View from Wat Phrathot
Overlooking Chiang MaiIt is very fun traveling without an itinerary. We stayed an unexpected two days in Chiang Mai. We have been finding so much stuff to do around here that staying a week was necessary. We have gotten very familar with this city that everyone seems very anxious to move on. I think today we have completed all the various journeys and adventures that we all wanted to endure... so we move north in the AM for Pai.
Yesterday was a very chill day for us. We decided not to make it to the temple early for sunrise. We slept in and had a fantastic breakfast, in fact the best yet. (The eggs actually looked and tasted like eggs!) After we decided to go to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Rajvorihara to see the Golden Chedi. The Golden Chedi is a temple all the way on the top of the mountain. Wat Pharathat overlooks the entire city of Chiang Mai. The car ride (taxi in the back of a truck) up was very sickening(lots of turns), but the view was unbelievable that it made the car ride worth it. I found it so fascinating that the taxi driver stayed with us the
entire two hours we were there. it only cost 12 American dollars. The money exchange is unreal. There is 306 stairs to the Golden Chedi. We had to put garmets that covered our shoulders and legs on in order to enter the temple. Tank tops and shorts are frowned upon, extremely disrespectful and of course we had to take our shoes off, pretty much like anywhere else. The temple was so colorful and we got a bunch of cool pictures. This trip got me into wanting to understand the buddhist religion a little bit better.
On the way down the 306 stairs we stopped at this little cart where a woman was selling bracelets. These bracelets were made from candle wax (I think that's what she said). We all bought a few of the funky bracelets. (Dolly don't you worry...I got you a spiffy one too cause I know how much you're sadden by the fact that this is not a "doll and doll" adventure. I'm making up for it though!)
When we returned from the Golden Chedi, I indulged in a fabulous foot massage and read my book. We had a wonderful dinner at the Herb Garden.
We have been there the last three days. We made friends with the owner Ian and his lil son Mike. The food is absolutely amazing. You never know we may end up there tonight!
Today we took a Batik Painting Class. The studio was in the home of a lovely woman named Ann. Batik Painting uses wax. We learned some Canting techniques. I was impressed with my inner artist , because the final product came out amazing. This was a fantastic way to spend our last day in Chiang Mai. Painting was very relaxing, Ann was a lovely woman to talk with,a nd we learned something new and exciting. Her mother made us a fabulous thai lunch and overall it was cool to be immersed in Ann's culture.
Next time I write we will be in Pai.
Love,
Christina
I added more pictures to my last entry: "The last 48 hrs"
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Mom
non-member comment
Wow !You did that !
That is a very nice print you made. It's a good thing you included the picture of you working on it for proof. The temple looks very exotic too. Did you have to buy the wraps you wore on your legs? Have a safe trip to your next destination. Love Maka