Just arrived at the station, we are
attracted by the easy hotel reservations. A bit distrustful and intimidated we
approach the booking desk and ask for information. Let's try to make the things
clear: first of all we view the room then we decide whether to take it or not.
There were not a lot of discussions, the room, ant the hotel in general, were
more than fine, everything was clean, inexpensive (10 euros per night),
provided with a swimming pool and friendly staff.
A fast shower, after two days is a
must, then we go exploring the city.
Hidden among the hills located at
the feet of northern Thailand mountains, Chiang Mai is a town of craftsmen,
professors, university students, culture followers. Life is easier here than in
Bangkok urban grid.
We have to limit our city
sightseeing to one only day (unfortunately) back and forth between the sacred
(temples) and the profane (shopping and massages).
Wat Phra
Singh is the most visited temple of Chiang Mai and it was built in 1345. Wihan
Lai Kham is the main attraction of the whole complex and still preserves the
most venerated statue in town, the Buddha Phra Singh.
The Wat hosts an important school
for monks. When Thai guys are around 10 their parents often send them to this
school, mainly to find a remedy their child's support: the country takes charge
of all costs related to education, food and accommodation for the students.
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| Wat Phra Singh. 2011 © Giovanna Puccia. All rights reserved |
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| 2011 © Giovanna Puccia. All rights reserved |
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| The penny-pinchers at the night bazar. |
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you wanna see all pics taken in Thailand? Then CLICK HERE
The Wat hosts an important school
for monks. When Thai guys are around 10 their parents often send them to this
school, mainly to find a remedy their child's support: the country takes charge
of all costs related to education, food and accommodation for the students.
We then go to the Wath Phan Tao,
considered as one of the most safeguarded treasure of Chiang Mai. Completely
made of moulded teak panels, set one into each other, and supported by 28 giant
pillars, also made of teak. Inside of it are some statues of the Buddha in
golden wood.
An unnumbered quantity of photos,
the amazement in front of such a beauty can't be even described. But it's
already late afternoon and we are starting to be slightly tired, so that also
because of a rainstorm, we take refuge in a little spa to have a feet massage.
We both fall asleep. And this reminds us that when all is said and done we are
on a holiday. After many practical and theoretical consultations about what
tour we could buy to go exploring the northern and less scoured part of
Thailand, we opt for a private guide: Tom.
We have a quick dinner in an
uncontroversial and unspectacular restaurant then we head to the famous Night
Bazar, anxious for spending money and dealing with the traders, at times even
if on one’s last legs. We hoard rucksacks, pillows, trousers, rice-paper memo
book, traditional photograph album, bracelets, t-shirts and also a Thai kimono.
Keep reading...
Keep reading.... My travel story continues in the next post!
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