Day 250: Chiang Mai – Day 1
Since we were only 10min away from the airport this morning, we were able to enjoy a leisurely morning before our flight to Chiang Mai – the capital of Northern Thailand. It’s a short flight, so we have plenty of time after we arrive to walk around the city and explore a few temples.
We absolutely LOVED Chiang Mai. We were staying in the “Old City” neighborhood of Chiang Mai, which had a great vibe – while the main drag was full of tourist-friendly restaurant and sparkling temples, the narrow inner streets were quiet and mellow.
The thing that really made us fall in love with Chiang Mai was the Sunday Night Market. Normally we aren’t that excited about markets (especially on this year long trip, since we can’t really buy any souvenirs and carry them with us for the next few months), and we would never had gone out of our way to visit this one. However, we got lucky and we just happened to arrive on a Sunday – what a happy accident! Easily the best street fair we’ve ever been to (so much better than the traffic-congesting crap we have in Manhattan!) – and THE FOOD. Seriously, Chiang Mai is worth its own trip simply for the DELICIOUS street food!
Our last moments at the beach before flying to Northern Thailand
Chillin’ at the Koh Samui Airport Lounge before take-off
Temple Time! Exploring Wat Chedi Luang where Igor contributes to the temple’s fund for dogs
As with other temples in Thailand, we must make sure we are dressed appropriately (Lindsay brought her own wrap this time!) – in addition to scantily clad tourists, looks like the temples are also experiencing a nuisance of wedding photoshoots
The Lak Meuang or “City Pillar” – raised by the first king in the 1200’s. Igor had to take pictures for Lindsay as women aren’t allowed in the shrine
Chicks are permitted in the main assembly hall tho, so Lindsay sits her butt down and takes her sweet time admiring Phra Chao Attarot (the giant golden Buddha), and all the bling decorating the room
Colorful “good luck” ribbons and crystal chandeliers make the Chedi Luang temple very pretty!
Twin dragons guard the main assembly hall
The ancient Lanna-style chedi of Wat Chedi Luang – built in the 14th century, the top of the ruins was destroyed in the 16th century by an earthquake along with the elephant statues surrounding the base. Only one of the original elephants remains, recently joined by four replicas as part of a UNESCO restoration project
More restoration work – before and after on the naga (snake-monster) stairways at the base of the chedi
So several of the temples in Chiang Mai have wax statues of renowned monks sitting in the pray halls, which really freaked us out at first, as we thought they were real people. The calming sight of the fat Buddha (his belly is full of wisdom!) restores our nerves
Next door to Wat Chedi Luang, we visit the smaller Wat Phan Tao, where a beautiful Buddha sits inside a teak cathedral, with more good luck ribbons fluttering nearby
As we walk through town we spot a postal box – time to send our tropical Christmas cards!
Just by chance, we arrive in Chiang Mai on Sunday – the day of their famous Night Market! We head out into the street just as the sun begins to set
The market is packed with interesting souvenirs – some a bit odd (WHY would someone want plastic poo?!?), but most are beautiful! We watch a craftswoman hand-carve some decorative soap – it’s too pretty, I’d never want to use it!
Lovely homewares – utilitarian and decorative bowls
Awesome woodcarvings – those dragons are killer, and those haunting ashtrays are to die for!
So many colorful string lights and lanterns!
A BB gun shooting range adds to the carnival atmosphere – Lindsay stops to shoot off some steam
Igor and his bad-ass ponytail take up Lindsay’s shoot-off challenge!
As we walk through the streets we start to get hungry – little wonder as the place is packed with food stalls
Chiang Mai is particularly famous for its street food – LOOK AT ALL THE NOMS
Best fresh spring rolls I’ve ever had – SO GOOD
It’s literally a MOUNTAIN OF PAD THAI
Sorry Pam Real Thai – Igor has a new favorite pad thai chef!
A symphony under the crescent moon just outside the Thapae Gate
The Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market – best street fair ever!