For the four-day weekend of Queen Sirikit's birthday, YaJing from China and I were invited by a student SaiParn and her family to take a trip to see something new in Thailand. The dad asked us both: what would you like to see? YaJing said "the beach" and I said "I don't know, Ayuttaya or Chiang Mai...". A thoughtful expression from the dad; he made one phone call, said "My friend would like us to join him in Chiang Mai." And so it was...

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It's a seven-hour trip from our part of Bangkok to Chiang Mai, so we left at 4:30 am after a lovely breakfast of rice-and-shrimp soup. We saw the town give way to green rice fields; I think the green is even prettier than the tobacco fields of Western Mass. As we drove north, we saw mountains in the distance on both sides. Soon we were in the mountains: lush forest and cool breezes convinced us we weren't in Kansas any more--nor even in Bangkok.

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The lush green forest of Chiang Mai is quite different from the lush floral environment around Bangkok. Moss, mist, cool breezes--all in our party were shivering in jackets except me--I felt fine in my t-shirt, enjoying the first "fall day" since my arrival in Thailand.

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Wat Doi Suthep is wonderful, a wealth of environments within the same temple. Above is the magnificent staircase leading up to the temple area; the balustrade is tile dragons, undulating from the base upward to elaborate dragon-tails. The little girl is dressed in traditional Chiang Mai dress--she will pose with you for a fee, and they also have the clothing for sale.

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Chiang Mai is famous as a tourist attraction, and with good reason. Our first morning at the hotel, SaiParn's brother Palm did a google search with everyone gathered 'round, and we narrowed down our options. In our three days we saw quite a variety...

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The Great Holy Relics Pagodas of Nabhamethanidol and Nabhapolbhumisiri were built in 1987 and 1992 within walking distance of each other in honor of their majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit on their respective 60th birthdays. Each pagoda is a temple with a Buddha statue inside, artwork all around, and each is surrounded by a wonderful park, and then by the lush deep forest.

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SaiParn and YaJing had fun boiling eggs in the hot spring. You buy raw eggs in a little basket, then hang the basket from the hooks in the mineral water, a natural 105 degrees C. A sign tells how many minutes for soft-boiled, firm, or hard-boiled. There were also a guyser and some hot streams to dangle your feet. I found it interesting that many of the Thais, despite their acclimation to hot weather, exclaimed in dismay at the heat of the water. Generally baths or showers here are cold water...

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The brown structure is among the oldest Buddhist edifices in Thailand. Next to it is a newer temple building, and saffron-draped Buddhas in front. I love the variety of Buddha faces...

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We didn't go any closer than this to Wat Pra Bpa Daeng, Temple of the Red Forest. It's architecture is typical of the Chiang Mai area, and this shows the lovely valley with its rice fields.

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We also saw the Temple of Twenty Pagodas (Wat Sao Lang in Northern Thai dialect), went to Doi Intanon, highest point in Thailand. We spent lots of time and some money at the famous Chiang Mai night market, also had dinner at the Chiang Mai Cultural Center, lounging on cushions and entertained by traditional dancers. Our last evening we had dinner at the family friend's home, and I was invited to watch its preparation. Then out for another repast and karaoke before heading home. You'll need to wait for more photos after I return...