Wat Phra Singh

The second temple Wat Phra Singh (Singh means lion) is inside the old city and still surrounded by the original moat. The complex is much larger with more to see. 

The photos which follow are various areas ... Monks at work .... Temple mangy dog ... Monks in training running away from Canadian tourists with cameras ...

Wat Chai Monkol

Another observation I made was the shop where packages of goods were being sold. My friend told me these served many purposes. Some as remembrances for those departed. Some to appease feelings of guilt. Some to assist along with prayer for a sick relative's recovery. After they are given as an offering the monks take them away. Some are used to help feed the monks, to help feed the poor and some are recycled. Yes, they are resold and the money used for upkeep. 

Monks inside the temple

The temples of Chiang Mai

I know, I know ... Once you've seen one temple you've seen them all is the comment most heard by some tourists. However, I find Buddhist temples different. A different feeling exists inside the complex that is distinctly related to Buddhist beliefs. It maybe be difficult to explain but today i let my friend Noom who is quite a devout Buddhist take me to 2 different temples in Chiang Mai. Both I have seen before. Wat Chai Mongkol and Wat Phra Sing are 2 of over 300 temples in Chiangmai.

The first is Wat Chai Mongkol ... My 3rd visit to this temple on the river is famous for liberation. The temple makes a good income from the devout "liberating" a menagerie of creatures they pay for. They include birds, fish, salamanders, turtles, snails and frogs. All sold just inside the entrance.

The temple complex is small by comparison to some having only 18 monks in residence and located on the Mae Ping river. This view is the top of one of the small pagodas.

Part 3 ...

After the cave and 25 Point Pagoda it was on to the obligatory Orchid and butterfly tour ...

Part two ....

I still have to learn about getting everything onto this format ... And we continue...

Each of the Karen women seem to have their own shop where they manufacture and sell clothing and other items. This is an example

The Twenty Five Top Pagoda was described by our tour guide as "not new" and built in 191 AD or 2456 if you are Thai...

A small temple outside the cave ...

A small group at the top of a shrine inside the cave. All mountains and caves are holy places for Thai people.

Chiang Mai day one

Arrived in Chiang Mai ...

My fourth trip here to Thailand's northern gateway - cooler than Bangkok and a favourite of expats living in Thailand.

I decided to try a tour I have not already taken. My friend was able to get me a discount of 37% for a tour of the Karen Hill Tribe which is one of 7 indigenous to Thailand. The Karen have an offshoot known as the long-necked Karen. Our tour guide who was Karen himself described the long-necked as refugees from Myanmar.

ARRIVED !

Arrived ... Safe and Sound !!

Well ... After a 10 hr 15 minute flight to Seoul, Korea and a further 5 hour and 50 minute flight to Bangkok I arrived. A someone eerie calm over Bangkok greeted me. Maybe all is calm waiting for the opposition shutdown on January 13th. I hope to be away from it all in Chiangrai.

The taxi driver was sullen the whole way to the Mandarin hotel. The hotel is old but just recently renovated in October 2013. I am impressed with almost everything. Forty five inch big screen Samsung in the room, power blinds, fridge, microwave, kettle, king size bed, air conditioned and a modern shower and fantastic TOILET!

Yes, my first post in Thailand will be about a toilet .... My mother would be so proud!

Well this is it .... American Standard's latest ... With many functions.

The control

 ... As you can see it has many features...some you might not even want to try like the enema!!!!!

All this AND a heated seat!

.....................

Well today I need to go to the electronic mall and see if I can get a connector so I can upload pics from my camera. I will take this iPad to take a few pictures of Bangkok. Tomorrow, it is off to Chiangrai in the north. More to follow ...