 |
|
entrance to Chiang Mai Plaza
|
|
 |
|
our room.. not bad for US$40, huh
|
|
 |
|
some of the decors in the hotel
|
|
|
 |
|
mama.. the model ;)
|
|
 |
|
umbrella chandeliers
|
|
 |
|
thai dancers
|
|
 |
|
view of Chiang Mai fr Doi Suthep
|
|
|
 |
|
some of the many bells
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
may peace prevail on earth...
|
|
 |
|
golden spires
|
|
 |
|
replica of the emerald buddha
|
|
 |
|
gold, gold everywhere!!
|
|
 |
|
devotees...
|
|
|
 |
|
that's real jade!!
|
|
 |
|
just like the cnn shots, kan? ;)
|
|
|
 |
|
some refreshments..
|
|
|
 |
|
gleaming...
|
|
 |
|
ppl flocking to get blessed by a monk
|
|
|
 |
|
simply amazing!
|
|
|
 |
|
spot me!!
|
|
 |
|
arch as you reach the top
|
|
 |
|
from a different angle
|
|
 |
|
the many steps to Doi Suthep (nope... I didn't climb it ;) )
|
|
 |
|
Mama with our excellent driver, Kamphan
|
|
 |
|
this is how you make silk... first boil the cocoons...
|
|
 |
|
inside Shinawatra store (belonging to the PM's family)
|
|
 |
|
two happy ladies :)
|
|
 |
|
at a wet market
|
|
 |
|
lotus flower
|
|
 |
|
part of the ancient city walls
|
|
 |
|
one of the many gates
|
|
 |
|
there are temples everywhere!
|
|
|
 |
|
typical thai roof
|
|
 |
|
entrance to one of the many temples
|
|
 |
|
view of city from room... see Ping river below
|
|
 |
|
at the Four Seasons restaurant
|
|
 |
|
erm.. i guess this is what they wore in the past
|
|
 |
|
dinner at the Butterfly Garden Restaurant
|
|
|
|
 |
|
not sure whether that's a river or a lake
|
|
 |
|
fly.. fly away...
|
|
 |
|
we got really excited :)
|
|
 |
|
the many styles of spires at the Grand Palace
|
|
|
 |
|
murals depicting the city and its king
|
|
 |
|
simply regal
|
|
 |
|
gold... a common theme everywhere!!
|
|
 |
|
decorated with ceramics
|
|
|
 |
|
intricate detailing
|
|
 |
|
guards at the entrance (?)
|
|
|
 |
|
spot the statues supporting the spire
|
|
 |
|
this place is crowded with numerous temples!
|
|
 |
|
golden claws
|
|
 |
|
replica of Angkot WAt
|
|
 |
|
soooo many ppl!
|
|
|
 |
|
guardian statues
|
|
|
 |
|
if you run out of money, just pick one of the gold mosaics, hehe
|
|
 |
|
the massive doors were inlaid with mother of pearl
|
|
|
 |
|
fierce looking "jagas"
|
|
|
 |
|
ppl making offerings
|
|
|
 |
|
this place is packed!!
|
|
 |
|
i wonder how many tonnes of gold were needed to build this...
|
|
 |
|
buildings still used by the royal family for official functions
|
|
|
 |
|
the sleeping buddha
|
|
 |
|
it's long!!
|
|
 |
|
at the foot
|
|
 |
|
his hair is like durian spikes, hehe
|
|
 |
|
quite odd looking "guards"
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
check out the intricate details
|
|
|
|
 |
|
waaaaaaaa
|
|
 |
|
there are so many temples, you're bound to see one somewhere
|
|
 |
|
wat arun.. have to take a boat to get there
|
|
 |
|
you can actually climb it... steps quite steep tho
|
|
 |
|
ugh... berat ni
|
|
 |
|
i wonder how long it took to make this wat
|
|
 |
|
.. and how many ppl were involved
|
|
 |
|
modern side of city from the river
|
|
|
 |
|
at the national museum
|
|
|
 |
|
vinamnek mansion.. too bad can't take pix inside. very pretty!
|
|
 |
|
King Chulalongkorn's guest house
|
|
 |
|
at the Jim Thomson House
|
|
 |
|
traditional Thai architecture
|
|
 |
|
a bit of "kampung" in the city
|
|
 |
|
ornate door
|
|
 |
|
open air concept & is actually several houses put together
|
|
 |
|
his boat dock
|
|
|
 |
|
tak hujan pun mama?
|
|
|
 |
|
koi pond.. next to the restaurant
|
|
 |
|
i wanna house like this!
|
|
 |
|
beautiful landscaping
|
|
). First night we stayed at Chiang Mai Plaza.. which is just a short walk to the famous Chiang Mai night market. Got a good deal thru Asiarooms... the room was big and clean with nice decor around the hotel. After that we stayed at Sheraton Chiang Mai, which was further away from the city centre (I was attending a seminar there).
Chiang Mai ppl are very artistic and creative. Oh.. I also had this wonderful tomyam soup.. the best I've ever had.. in a small Muslim shop. Communication was a bit of a problem when Kamphan was not around.. but we managed.
