Finally settling in here in Chiang Mai. Love the area inside the old city with cobblestone streets and quaint shops and restos. Great for wandering around, even with the occasional drizzle. Happy there’s so much green everywhere! Seems the Thai aesthetic uses a lot of gardens to bring in the outdoors.
This morning I woke up to marching band music and saw a school parade happening along the moat on the perimeter of the old city. It lasted a good 15 minutes! The music reminded me of the funeral parade in Kurosawa’s Dreams. Great start to the weekend.
People here hire motorbikes for transport but I’ve been going around in the local red trucks equivalent to the PH jeepney, which lets one scale the city perimeter (2 sqkm on each side) while enjoying a good breeze.
It’s easy to get templed out in Thailand but this hilltop Wat on Doi Suthep had something that made me linger and find a dose of quiet amidst the crowd. I went up a little after noon and took a moment exploring the temple grounds before entering the main site, where a golden structure was built to house ancient relics. The king, in meditation, asked for guidance on where to build the temple. He then rode an elephant which circled this spot three times. Maybe those people walking around the structure do so to commemorate this in prayer. #doisuthep #temple #chiangmai #thailand
The prettiest Buddha I have seen. It had a throng of people offering candles and flowers before it.
#buddha #doisuthep #temple #chiangmai #thailand
Got up close and personal with this gentle baby elephant yesterday. Definitely a trip highlight. Signs of a happy elephant: flapping ears, side-to-side swaying, and swinging tail. A baby elephant eats 1000kg of fruits, leaves, and basically anything in the jungle everyday!#chiangmai #elephant