Mae Sai at the border with Burma (Myanmar)

The third part of the tour is at Mae Sai. A massive discount shopping city at the border with Burma. All the Thai still call it Burma. I found a few things there and was amazed at the variety of goods offered. Some sadly from China. You can buy a new IPhone 5 for $100 but it will be a Chinese copy. You can cross into Burma here and they will take a copy of your passport and stamp it all for only $17. You can have your passport stamped but it would compromise my Thai visa.

Some shops, the border crossing and our bored driver.

Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden

The second part of a 4 part tour took us to the Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden. Located on 10 acres, it is considered the best in Thailand. The land was originally on land used for the opium and heroin trade and purchased by the Princess Mother of Thailand. I honestly did not expect too much but was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. What follows is a sampling of what was inside.

Ban Si Dum - The Black House

Quite the opposite of the white temple is The Black House. Strange and bizarre it too was created as an artistic creation of an eccentric weathly man Thawan Duchanee. Full if unexplained art ... Creature heads and bizarre buildings. I am told it us much less visited by tourists.

Wat Rong Khun - The white temple in Chiang Rai

Well, many consider this to be the most beautiful of all temples in Thailand. It is also the most insignificant in terms of religious significance. It was conceived and paid for by one man, Chalermchai Kostipot in 1997. It was so busy you had to keep moving so pictures came fast and furious. Included are some of the ghoulish shrunken hanging heads and the lavish washroom. All in all this is an extraordinary place. Photos are not allowed inside the temple and not worth taking anyway. Inside are two medium sized Buddhas and little else.

Chiang Rai

Arrived in Changrai late in the afternoon. Already it feels cooler than Changmai. A very comfortable 3 hour ride on a VIP bus with a/c, washroom, water and snack, TV and all for about $12

After checking in we went for supper and while waiting for restaurant to open noticed a flower show in progress so went to see. Very impressive with thousands of flowers including lilies and the last thing I expected to see in Thailand ... Tulips! Teen contestants in the flower of youth and an interesting restaurant sign.  

Some random photos thus far ...

Tree Seed pods - Karen handiwork - another orchid - Temple Art - Temple dog - offerings - temple candles - white water lily - Tuk Tuk taxi - Mae Rim river Chizng Mai - snack - surfing at the Art In Paradise Chiang Mai