Chiang Mai - Hippy Central

Chiang Mai is definitely an odd city. It has some amazing temples (what a surprise!) but is also heaving with YOLO backpackers who appear to be having a competition to see who can wear the skimpiest clothes at the same time as leaving little of their skin tattoo-free. Makes me feel very old as well as very relieved that I'm not that age!

Not having the first idea what to see, I took myself off for a stroll and came across a river crossing station with a wonderful looking waiting room:

Inside there was the inevitable:

A relaxing glide down the river was an appealing idea:

And I was tempted to stop off at:

But it wouldn't have been the same without Fiona. She's my enthusiastic sharer of 'Posh Afternoon Tea', and I wouldn't have felt right breezing in wearing my rather messy sightseeing-in-the-searing-heat clothes!

So onwards, reluctantly, with visions of pots of Earl Grey and dainty cakes swirling around in my head.

Very interesting Art Museum:

With this wooden sculpture outside:

And a colourful foyer:

The art on display is interactive: you can become part of the painting. I thought this was such a fun and unusual idea that I've shown many examples below:

Enjoyed these sculptures in the tiny park:

Made a change from images of The Lord Buddha!

And I crossed the river on one bridge and crossed back again on the next one:

The river is impressive running through the centre of the city:

But signs of creeping globalisation everywhere:

And of course lots of temples:

But for a change I spotted the following:

Quite unusual in this part of the world.

The City walls when I reached the were impressive:

But inside the walls it was all rather touristy and backpacker orientated which was a shame, it should have been a reflection of the past in keeping with the strength and history of the walls.

So, in the absence of romance and history inside the gates, I thought I'd tackle yet another temple. I can only presume that those who built many of the temples were incredibly fit, as so many temples are perched on top of a hill, accessible only by ridiculous numbers of steps: maybe it's all part of the devotion required but to me it's just another way of nearly having a heart attack as well as proving that I definitely need the full knee replacement I'm being threatened with!

I took one look at the number of steps up to the top and decided I could admire it from below!

The most important temple in the region is Doi Suthep temple. This is situated at the top of a very big hill so I cheated and got transport up there. Dying on the hike up would have been considered bad form. And besides, I wanted to see and hear the chanting monks:

An elephant involved in the legend of the building of the temple:

They do like their elephants in this part of the world:

And gold everywhere you look:

Ring any bells?

Enough frivolity, on to the purpose of the visit: the chanting monks:

Then 3 times round the building:

Before the prayers and blessings of the head monk:

But boys will always be boys: giggling and egging each other on at the back, out of sight of the elders!

And my answer to a hot, dusty and temple filled day:

Complete with a deliciously cold, strong and generously proportioned cocktail (or two!)