17 Feb - We're not in Canada
Goodbye Chiang Mai - 19 Feb
 
 
 
 
 
Wat Doi Suthep
18 Feb 2019
Wat Doi Suthep    18 Feb 2019
  Chiang Mai, Thailand   
 
 
 
 
 

Chiang Mai is said to have three must-see temples. We've seen two. The third, Wat Doi Suthep, is up on a mountain, about 45 minutes away. So after breakfast we walked down the block to Wat Phra Singh to look for a red truck with the words Doi Suthep on the front. It didn't take long, and after getting a price, 50 baht each (a little over $CAD 2) we piled into the back of the pickup to wait for it to fill. Once there were ten passengers the driver cranked up the engine and we were off.

I sat furthest back; it's least claustrophobic. I had a close view of the vehicles behind as we sped up the mountain, leaning in the curves, and hanging on.

Once at the temple parking lot we left the truck, paid the driver, then followed the crowd up the cool staircase to the temple.

Wat Doi Suthep is a popular temple. If it is for the view well the air is too dirty to see far. This is the time of year in Thailand when air quality is poor.

Once at the temple I found many people worshipping the various Buddhas. Some were on the ground, some lighting candles, and some were walking in a procession around a gold stupa while holding yellow flowers. Whatever floats your boat, eh.

 
 
 
 
The famous staircase to the temple  
 
The temple stair was crowded when we arrived.
 
 
 
 
The famous staircase to the temple  
 
The temple stair was crowded when we arrived.
 
 
 
 
The famous staircase to the temple  
 
The temple stair was crowded when we arrived.
 
 
 
Paul at the Wat  
 
 
 
 
Paul at the Wat  
 
 
 
 
Paul at the Wat  
 
 
 
Making offerings to the Buddha  
 
 
 
 
Making offerings to the Buddha  
 
 
 
 
Making offerings to the Buddha  
 
 
 
Procession around the golden stupa  
 
 
 
 
Procession around the golden stupa  
 
 
 
 
Procession around the golden stupa  
 
 
 
Gold stupa  
 
 
 
 
Gold stupa  
 
 
 
 
Gold stupa  
 
 
 
Smoggy view  
 
 
 
 
Smoggy view  
 
 
 
 
Smoggy view  
 
 
 
Temple bells  
 
 
 
 
Temple bells  
 
 
 
 
Temple bells  
 
 
 
The king and queen  
 
The fellow on the left is ubiquitous in Chiang Mai. The king. I suppose the lady on the right is the queen. It is said he lives in Germany along with much of the country's wealth, though perhaps I shouldn't say this seeing how Thailand's Lèse-majesté law, the law that pertains to the crime of violating majesty, an offense against the dignity of a reigning sovereign or against a state, is among the world's most draconian.
 
 
 
 
The king and queen  
 
The fellow on the left is ubiquitous in Chiang Mai. The king. I suppose the lady on the right is the queen. It is said he lives in Germany along with much of the country's wealth, though perhaps I shouldn't say this seeing how Thailand's Lèse-majesté law, the law that pertains to the crime of violating majesty, an offense against the dignity of a reigning sovereign or against a state, is among the world's most draconian.
 
 
 
 
The king and queen  
 
The fellow on the left is ubiquitous in Chiang Mai. The king. I suppose the lady on the right is the queen. It is said he lives in Germany along with much of the country's wealth, though perhaps I shouldn't say this seeing how Thailand's Lèse-majesté law, the law that pertains to the crime of violating majesty, an offense against the dignity of a reigning sovereign or against a state, is among the world's most draconian.
 
 
 
Waiting for more passengers  
 
 
 
 
Waiting for more passengers  
 
 
 
 
Waiting for more passengers  
 
 
 
My view from the red truck  
 
 
 
 
My view from the red truck  
 
 
 
 
My view from the red truck  
 
 
 
 
17 Feb - We're not in Canada
Goodbye Chiang Mai - 19 Feb