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Published: March 12th 2010
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Welcome to Chiang Rai...we departed on the 3 hours bus trip to Chiang Rai not a bad trip in an air-conditioned bus although there was times that we wondered if the bus was going to start going backwards instead of forwards on the hills...Chiang Rai appears to be a sleepy place for thailand it isn't far from the Laos and Burma(myanmar) borders if you travel into the hills close by you can see the opium growing here but you can't get close to it they actually have tours just to see the border and the opium in the distance. From what I understand there is a few of the hill tribes here with the long neck ladies but they are the real thing not imported. We had one sole reason for this leg of the trip the white temple we wanted to go after arriving the same day otherwise it would be a long day the following day...so we thought!
At some stage when I found this temple and Mike and I decided we really wanted to go there I and while looking I had found this resort call Naga Hill.. as part of the pick a path T had
a couple of places noted to stay in the town in Chiang Rai... Naga Hill is was well out of the city but was a place with a difference, on showing everyone we decided this was a go for us and we booked three rooms...we contacted them when we arrived at the bus station and someone came to get us and take us to the Naga Hill as soon as we got out of the tuktuk and the man put our bags in a old hand wheeled cart and we walked up the path we could 'feel the serenity' (hehe) wow this place is out of this world not for everyone but diffintely for us!
The owner/manager is from Germany and speaks english, french,thai and bits of many other languages as well...he first thought that T and I were french and soon realised we spoke english when I had not a clue what he was saying in French maybe the look of confusion on my face gave it away...on speaking with him we were to late to go the the temple today but it was do able in the morning once we have breakfast check out. He will organise a
driver to take us on the way to the bus station where we will catch our bus back to Chiang Mai! Unplanned relaxing afternoon and evening at this amazing place how it came about...the owner used to hang out here an old Mango farm when he was first in Chiang Rai writing a report on the opium trade and everything that went along with it, it was a dangerous job but he says someone had to do it...he has taken what he loves the real bases in life and worked with them to create a place that people can come and enjoy the elements and the tranquillity that the world has to offer. The little huts built away from each other across the land have an outdoor bathroom with hot water a bath and a hammock on the deck and a big mattress sitting at waist height on a platform....walking through the resort there's lots of trees and foliage and its quiet as you make your way to the restaurant that is playing great Cafe del mar type music during the day and over looks the valley and so does the amazing deep salt water pool!
The pool is cold
and refreshing and you have the most amazing view at sunset over the pool! By Dinner its cool and we all turn up wearing long pants and t-shirts or long sleeves for the first time since arriving in thailand the music is livened up a bit and the food is organic and is unbelievable the best meal since we have been on the road it appears this sleepy place is getting to some of us and Myke head to bed first soon followed by T, Waz and myself. I actually went back to have a bath and relax before bed...Yay for no t.v tonight first night in 3 weeks the t.v hasn't been on when I am going to sleep this is because there isn't one just a mozzie coil glowing in the dark of the night!
We rise in the morning as the light comes in the cabin and very crisp as the night has been I get up and jump in the hot shower and stand there enjoying the warmth and Mike brushes his teeth until I am done...the hot water is actually causing a lot of steam in the air as that's how cold it is reminds
me of September/October morning on New Zealand fresh and crisp but you know the day will hold some heat!
We grab our bags and head for breakfast (home made apricot jam was a winner yummy) so toast and eggs for me and then we head out to the temple before the bus...we drove up the road and I see it in the distance I am in awe from here its so grand...it was built by an artist he has not asked for money to help as he wanted to have the temple how he chose and it is very different all white with bits of mirror silver over it...it reflects in the sun and is very grand with a lot of representation of his faith and things that could influencing his journey to nirvana the ultimate in buddhism. We raced around not enjoying as much as we should basically appreciating what we could through a camera lense...on entering the temple cetral room you are not allowed to take photos in here I understand why but what a missed opportunity its was beautiful on the back wall is all distractions superman, nero from the matrix,transformers,spiderman,twin towers a rolex watch and
many other things. on the side walls that they are currently still painting is the clouds and people heading to the peace on the back wall and sitting there is a wax figure that looks so real that its haunting!
We head out and checkout the golden toilet block that is beautiful too however for me its just not as striking as the white temple which is so interesting and different on entering the gallery and shop I can see why the man has gone so far he is not afraid to put his spin on the art world and he is amazing...after departing I read a bit about him in a book I brought in the shop (wish I could have brought some prints but they were going to get badly damaged maybe we might come back and get some when we visit Naga hill) he has won some awards and worked in England painting temples and done illustrations for books and has been regarded as one of the highest respectfully in Thailand.
So after this we head to Chiang Mai on the bus to meet our night train to back south!
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