James Gaston

We're not in Canada

Goodbye Chiang Mai

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

Making offerings to the Buddha

Procession around the golden stupa

Gold stupa

Smoggy view

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

Waiting for more passengers

My view from the red truck

We're not in Canada

Goodbye Chiang Mai