Took the Skytrain to Taksin station & dock, Oriental Hotel's river taxi, dinner at Sala Rim Naam

on the river taxi

Louie with dancer

"Ancient City"-A Park Recreating of All Thailand

Scottie & Chuman in Christ Church, moved here from elsewhere in Thailand. The tile roof and open sides made it cool with the water breezes.



Ceramics are a big industry in parts of Thailand, thus the boat load of pots in the middle.
Here are photos of the excursion shot by Srichan, our hostess.
http://www.mypicx.com/12282009/20092712ancientcity/

Thammasat U. Library Friends and Seaside lunch 12-27-09

The Hmong Village NW of Chiang Mai deep on the mountainside

Bhubing Palace

Bhubing Palace is the royal winter residence on the mountainside to the west of Chiang Mai built in 1961. The residences for the royal family and for visitors are relatively modest, but refreshingly comfortable looking and the gardens are stupendous. 

Wat Doi Suthep above Chiang Mai

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Rajvoravihara, according to legend, was founded when King Kuena (1355-1385) placed holy relics in a howdah on the back of a white elephant. The elephant carried the treasure up the high mountain to the west of Chiang Mai. Some say he turned around three times to indicate that this was the spot for the temple. Then, the elephant dropped dead from fatigue

The temple is famous for 306 steps bordered by a NAGA (dragon) balustrade. Fortunately, there's now a funicular to haul some of us up the steep mountain and back down again!

 

Christmas lunch-Four Seasons Chiang Mai 2009

Four Seasons Chiang Mai 12-25-09

The Four Seasons Chiang Mai is one of their premier hotels, about 45 minutes outside the city with rice paddies and gorgeous mountain scenery all around. The Cooking School restaurant offered a scrumptious Christmas lunch buffet. The setting is an indoor-outdoor space with a terrace in the trees, where we sat. It was pleasant weather, not too hot, and lots of big families with all ages were surrounding us celebrating the day and engaging passersby in conversation. In particular, a couple from Altoona, PA had great stories to tell. As usual we were amazed at how small a world it really is. We loved it.

Orchid Farm near Chiang Mai Christmas Day 2009

Chiang Mai, Hotel, Wat Chedi Luang, December 21-22, 2009

Chiang Mai in the Ping River Valley was the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom in mountainous Northwest Thailand on the border with perennial enemy, Burma (now called Myanmar). Chosen capital in 1292 by King Mengrai, some of Chaing Mai's old city walls and moat survive, and they're the scene of daily life and numerous festivals. Known as the "rose of the north," Chiang Mai is a large (almost 2 million population in the metro area), but charming, city with some of the finest Theravada Buddhist wats (temples) in all of Thailand. It feels less crowded and noisy than Bangkok, and the weather is less hot because of the mountains and altitude. Northern Thai food is distinctive, though similar to other Thai food we've had.

We chose the Shangri-la Hotel just outside the old city walls for our Christmas holiday. This Asian hotel chain has good value for a reasonable price and the locations are convenient. Gracious gardens behind the hotel are a respite from the city, and there's a huge pool for Louie's daily swim.

Tuesday, December 22

Wat Chedi Luang


Wat Chedi Luang is in the heart of old Chiang Mai at the spot where King Mengrai was killed by lightening in 1317. The old brick chedi was once 90 m (295 ft) high, but was damaged by an earthquake in 1465. We witnessed a memorial service for a chief monk (photo of the kneeling monks facing the Buddhas at the front of the temple). You'll see me next to the Naga (dragon) protecting the entrance and the standing Buddha with little sheets of gold leaf that devout visitors apply to him.