Our friend Maria had played an Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Bangkok before joining us, and met some folks who live in Chiang Mai, as well as other travelers who were going to be in Chiang Mai at the same time. So on Wednesday (Feb. 11) we met up with these folks at the gates of Chiang Mai University to go for a hike together. Graham, who lives in Chiang Mai, was going to show us his favorite trail.
We wove our way through the University to reach the trail head. Then we started climbing, and it was a rather strenuous climb up. (I blame the food poisoning.) Our first stop was at what Graham calls the "Waterfall Temple." I have no idea what it is really called, but it was a beautiful oasis beside the cool running waters with temple ruins spreading far back into the forest.
At the top of the mountain, we all ate lunch, then visited Wat Suthep. (I have started to distinguish between the temples by classifying them as either "shiny" or "ruins.") This was a shiny temple. Gracyn, in dressing for the hiking, had neglected to pack proper layers to be allowed into the temple (no shoulders or knees), so Alan ventured in and took pictures.
That day ended up the hiking group joining in on Ultimate Frisbee pickup at the University, which was a lot of fun. Most folks went out to dinner at a place called Lemon Tree, and we enjoyed being a part of that outing as well.
On our last morning in Chiang Mai, we walked to Wat Chedi Luang. Yes, another temple. This one was built in 1441.
The plaque in front of this statue tells the story of a monk who was so beautiful that he caused others to desire him, so he became fat to help those people.
This is John in front of a reclining Buddha.
Elephants!
When we finally boarded the bus for Sukhothai, I felt like this guy.
No comments:
Post a Comment