Escaping the Bangkok Heat & Hustle and heading to Chaing Mai

---

Day 5 & 6 - Escaping the Bangkok Heat & Hustle and heading to Chaing Mai

After saying my goodbyes to the birthday girl and her entourage who were all heading back to Manila - I was on my way to the northern old city of Chaing Mai. Clarice was staying another day in Bangkok to see the Grand Palace and then she’s off headed back home to California! Imagine, flying all the way to Thailand to celebrate Maita’s big birthday and then turning around to only head back home! What a jetsetter of a gal!

I arrived in Chaing Mai after an hour’s flight from Bangkok Int’l at 12 o’clock noon on. The airport is very small and it was a breeze finding someone to taxi me over to my hotel. The moment my luggage was dropped off, I quickly headed out to explore the old city on foot.

I am finally back in my room and it’s about 5 p.m. here in Chaing Mai. I spent a few hours walking around and my feet are killing me. I stopped off and had a quick dinner at Café de Siam where I had, of all things, a sandwich! Yes, I’m a bit tired of fried rice, noodles….or anything spicey.

Earlier as I was walking around the city I noticed instantly how much more slower the pace is and it’s soo nice compared to the Bangkok hustle! There was obviously less congestion but the air was also cooler like the guide books had promised (but only slightly!) I also noticed how blue the sky was and that there seemed to be temple tops on every block. But what really got my attention were the beautiful purple orchids that seem to be everywhere. In Hawaii, these are called Sonia’s….but they’re actually purple dendrobiums and one of my most favorite kinds next to Vandas. These purple beauties were everywhere…in front of storefronts, dangling from trees, and in clusters surrounding parkways and canals. After an hour of walking, I began to feel some relief from the hectic pace and overwhelming heat of Bangkok. It was like breathing a sigh of relief and I didn’t realize how much I looked forward to this respite from Thailand’s capital

I’m staying at the ManinarakornHotel near the downtown area of Chaing Mai. It’s an economy hotel and it’s pretty decent. It’s actually like a one bedroom apartment with air conditioning, TV, and all your other basic necessities. The reason I picked this location was it was near walking distance to the Night Bazaar. The staff is very friendly and the moment I called to say I needed a non-smoking room (somehow they had overlooked that request when I booked online!) - I swear the bellboy was at my room door in less than 2 minutes to move me to another room. So overall no complaints from me! I ended wanting to take a cat nap….errr, but that nap ended up being close to 9 hours! By the way, asiaroom.com - great reviews - FYI!

So because of my cat nap of 9 hours starting my first day in Chaing Mai… the next morning, I ended up waking up at before the butt-crack of dawn! I was up 3 a.m. or thereabouts and decided to start with a half day tour to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Rajvoravihara which is up on the hillside overlooking Chaing Mai. This is the temple which Monks built after the beloved White Elephant trekked through the jungle
and placed King Kuena’s holy relics in this very spot where the temple now exists. I booked my tour and paid 500 bahts for this half day trip. Fortunately, there was only myself and a really friendly “chap” named Nick who was here on vacation from England so we got the tour guide all to ourselves!

The drive up the hill took about an hour and the climate was very cooling as we climbed up the mountainside. Our tour guide said that the Monks had built this road years ago and that it was only about 30 years ago that it was actually paved. Up until then, they would walk up this hillside and I’m sure it took them days! Amazing! And to this day, Monks still will walk this road as a pilgrimage.

We stopped at a Hmong Village and walked around a bit. The village was up on the hillside and it was teeming with activity. The village kids were playing everywhere and all I can hear was laughter and chatter as we walked around the narrow streets. There were foods stalls and small shops were locals sold their handmade products. I bought a few souvenirs even though I told myself I wasn’t going to shop until I returned to Bangkok’s weekend market but how in the world can one resist? Haha! The handicrafts were nice and the villagers were so polite and friendly….I couldn’t resist! I found a jade bracelet for my Mom and I bought 2 small woven purses for my niece. After a quick walk, we were in the van again and off to Wat Doi Suthep we headed.

I cannot describe what this temple looks like when you are finally standing inside this beautiful complex on top of this hill. There are murals all around you, gold glistening everywhere…vibrant shades of orange, red, and gold from the colorful robes that the Monks’ wore to the hues that adorned the temple roofs and murals within the temple walls. As you walk towards the back of this heavenly sanctuary is a breathtaking view overlooking Chaing Mai. But even as you look down at this amazing view, it is so surreal because you hear devotees in the background speaking in their familiar tongue and the flashing of colors that you can’t avoid noticing. I found myself in another world. A world called Serene. I nearly resented our guide for moving us along because I found myself wanting to sit down to take it all in….the voices, the view, the flowers, the fragrant incense that burned endlessly, and most of all I enjoyed watching the faces of the devoted who came here in search of something and they who walked away having found it. I wanted to watch and learn how to go where they went…. Golden Buddas everywhere and people bowing down in respect of their God. This devotion is beautiful.

Afterwards, on our descent to Chaing Mai… the superficial world came crashing down on me again. The heat, the cars, the stores and people buzzing towards home after their busy days. So is life outside of the World of Serene.

I got back to my hotel around 6 p.m. I was still pretty wired over the trip up to Wat Doi Suthep. So I decided to take a walk over to this Night Bazaar that is from 7 p.m. till 11 p.m. every night of the week - rain or shine. So I walked about 3 blocks and found myself surrounded with vendors selling all kinds of things. It was pretty touristy but I was able to see a local market in full action. I am so amazed at how many markets the Thais have! They have night markets, morning markets, flower markets, fish markets - oh and food markets!!! This is a country that loves to eat and shop! I love it!

I found some ugly but cool looking bugs! I had to buy them for my 2 nephews! One was a huge ugly centipede and the other was a black scorpion! I was so excited when I found these monsters! I think the sales lady thought I had lost my mind! There I was mesmerized by a Thai fighting beetle and she was trying to sell me pretty butterflies! I mean the butterflies were gorgeous …but you shoulda seen the ugly stink bugs! I can’t wait to show the boys their souvenirs!

Alrighty… tomorrow is my Elephant Safari! I can’t wait. Time to hit the hay and catch some sleep! Till I blog again… Sawasdee!

---

Comments

[josie paris]

you are my hero
You are quite the adventuress and a brilliant writer! You are the 21sy century Freya Stark (look her up)! I think youi might just be the coolest person I know. Please keep the blogs going...they are a delight and a treat to all! I love ya!