VIEWS IN AND AROUND CHIANG MAI

SEE WHAT I MEAN ABOUT THE SMOG/SMOKE/HAZE

PARTS OF THE WALL AROUND THE OLD CITY

I was fortunate enough to wander into a big temple complex while there was a ceremony happening. It was the intake of a new batch of apprentice Buddhist monks. It was very crowded, with only a few foreigners there. These kids had just had their heads shaved and were being given their saffron robes in front of their very proud families. I felt somewhat privileged to stumble onto it, but it was nearly finished and I could only grab a couple of photos, which do not do it justice, but here they are.

I did notice that a few of the kids were pretty darn hefty. They'll have a hard time renouncing earthly temptations, particularly the ones that taste good. But, a couple of years in the monastery getting up and scrubbing the floors at 3 am then wandering the streets begging for food, all the while contemplating the challenges imposed by Lord Buddah, and the pounds will just melt away. No offence, but rather you than me, cookie boy.

THAILAND IS A LAND OF CONTRASTS......and mixed messages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....................NOT TO MENTION MANGLED ENGLISH

HERE ARE A FEW SHOTS OF VARIOUS TEMPLES WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF THE OLD CITY WALLS.

I'm only guessing, but the oldest might be 6 or 700 years old, and some of the newer ones are in a lot better shape than I've seen elsewhere. And check out this rain forest giant. Maybe one day people will come here just to see the trees.

But wait, there's more. This morning I headed out in another direction. Being early Sunday morning, there was not much traffic and it was somewhat cooler. I walked through Party Central, wall to wall bars and eventually the night markets. Sometimes things do look better when its dark, so I might have to try again tonight. That's if I can walk tonight. My right knee (the one I just had surgery on) is blown up like a balloon, which is a bit of a worry, so I might have to ease up on being a pedestrian. Walking around the streets in Asia is pretty tricky at the best of times. You really do have to watch where you put your feet. On the footpath, and I use the term very loosely, you are at constant risk of breaking an ankle or worse, treading in something you'll never forget. Its actually safer to walk on the road, at least the traffic will go around you. I hope.

OK, here's a few more quite spectacular temples, and a few other things.

YES, I KNOW THAT FEELING!

I THINK ITS CALLED WORK!!!

YEAH, OK, NO IDEA EITHER.

HONDA 50CC, WITH CARBON FIBRE EXHAUST, INVERTED FORKS, BELLS, WHISTLES. ITS FULLY FARKLED.



THAT'S MORE OF THE OLD CITY WALL.

Tomorrow morning we begin with a group briefing, then get started on what some of us came here for. I mean bike riding. We start with a 225 km day which will take us into Doi Inthanon National Park, home of the highest peak in Thailand, then our first overnight stop at Khun Yuam. I've never heard of them either, lucky I brought a map.