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Published: September 6th 2006
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So last night I took the overnight train to Thailands second largest city. I was trying my luck for a sleeper car, but unfortunatley I did not book ahead as recommended. I was lucky to get one of the last 6 seats on the train though so I can't complain. The ride wasn't bad, I just wish I could have dropped $2 more and been able to lie down. I would have taken the top bunk so I would have been just a little father away from the spiders with the 4 inch legspan crawling on the floor.
I arrived at 5:30AM and now I had to get to a guest house. I always do this. How come the most convenient method of transportation always gets you to your destination either extremely early in the morning or late at night? The two worst parts of the day to arrive to a foreign city. After I grabbed a tuk-tuk to my destination, I was informed that reception doesn't open till 7:30 AM, great. Unlike BKK, this city does not live off of Redbull or the "Leadership and Heroism" that M-150 can provide (at least its what it says on the bottle,
and it has a recommended dosage of 2 bottles a day. Whats more alarming is that this drink is banned in a few Asian countries, Hong Kong being an example, but that doesn't scare me, i love it). People actually sleep here. Eventually I got my room and crashed. When I woke, it was time to do the thing I have been wanting to do the minute I got to Thailand, rent a motor bike. I was smart enough not to do it in Bangkok, really no point to it unless you feel like dying. At $2.50 its the most stupidest thing not to. One or two tuk-tuk rides will set you back the same if not more, and now you have the freedom to explore the surroundings at your own pace, and there is loads to do.
The city is broken down into two parts, the old and new city. The old city is...well...old and lies inside a moat. Its pretty nice when driving around because you can always tell where you are in relation to the position of the moat. Landmarks are important when all the signs are in crazy scripts. The new city just surrounds the
Encore
Okay now, lets show 'em what you got moat in all different directions and this is where you find the malls, international fast food chains and everything else corporate. Chiang Mai is also very nice becuase its got a somewhat city feel but nothing like the chaos found in Bangkok.
There is this massive Wat (temple) above the city of Chiang Mai, about a 30 minute drive, a beautiful tree-lined, winding road. All along the way you have these view points to check out the city from above. The temple is pretty incredible, but I think the elephant at the top is just as cool. I've grown a fondness of these creatures, never had much encounter with them but they seem to be everywhere here and its the national symbol. From the top, you park then have to walk up these massive stairs, there has easily got to be 300+ steps or more. The temple is pretty nice, a lot of gold, and the view is breathtaking. I've always been mesmerized for scenery and skylines, not like Chiang Mai has anything near 100 story high-rises, but is pretty cool to see one place in one field of view.
On the way back down I stopped by
The Stairs
Can somebody please hand me my oxygen, thanks. the Chiang Mai zoo to have a look around. The zoo has got a wonderful setting because it actually is in a tropical environment, which makes me feel a little more in place with the animals then at the concrete structures you usually find in US zoos. However to my disappointment almost every exhibit was closed or they were doing construction. This pretty much just forced me to sit by the monkeys and feed them peanuts.
Chiang Mai is also known for being the biggest cultural centers of the country, and most of the hand crafts are made in the city or surrounding area. They have a night market, open every day, rain or shine, but on Sunday they have a special market that is located inside the old city on two of the major roads. There are some amazing things here and its unfortuate that 1). I don't have a house, and 2). That I am only two weeks into my trip and don't feel like lugging this stuff around for the next 1 to 2 years. But seriously, its almost worth the flight over to stock up on some incredible silk, wood, metal, and things I haven't
Giving My Props to the Gods
Everybody lets bow our heads and wai seen anywhere else. You could definatley pimp out a house with these goods. The best thing about the market though, hands down, is all the food stalls. I just walk around and pick up random things, 10 cents for some spring rolls, 30 cents for some friend shrimp balls, etc. The sweetcorn waffles are highly recommend.
For only being here two days, I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time in this place.
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john
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don't ride around mopeds with flip flops
wear shoes when you ride on mopeds, had i been wearing shoes when i got in my moped accident instead of flip flops, or as mom calls them, thongs, i wouldnt have fucked up my foot so bad, then again, wearing shoes would not have saved my camera from getting crushed on my hip or from me tearing up my elbow