Traveling in Southeast Asia

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Sunday, 19 February 2023 - Flew to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, enjoyed a delicious lunch in downtown, visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on a hill overlooking the city with its golden stupa, statues, chatras, and Buddha figures, learned about the legend of the relic and the temple's history, observed monks blessing visitors with string bracelets, explored temple architecture and Nagas, then finished the day walking through Chiang Mai's extensive night market sampling street food and browsing local crafts.

After checking into the hotel we headed up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep a Buddhist temple (wat) high in the nearby hills overlooking the city.

southeastasia2023 — The golden stupa surrounded by Buddhas in the sun is simply stunning.

southeastasia2023 — At the four corners of the stupa are these parasol-like structures called chatras - a Buddhist symbol of protection.

southeastasia2023 — In a temple there are several statues of Buddha including this one with the Naga's protecting him during a storm.

southeastasia2023 — The largest Buddha in the temple.

southeastasia2023 — This monk was blessing people with string bracelets which bring good luck to the wearer. The monk gave the string to females but tied the string on males wrists.

southeastasia2023 — Building in-front of the golden stupa basking in the reflection from the late afternoon sun.

southeastasia2023 — Many bells hanging from the building roofline.

southeastasia2023 — Offering candles in-front of a reclining Buddha.

southeastasia2023 — According to legend, a monk named Sumanathera from the Sukhothai Kingdom had a dream to go to Pang Cha and look for a relic. Sumanathera ventured to Pang Cha and found a bone. Many claim it was Gautama Buddha's shoulder bone. The relic displayed magical powers: it glowed, it was able to vanish, it could move and replicate itself. Sumanathera took the relic to King Dhammaraja. However, the relic displayed no abnormal characteristics, and the king, doubtful of the relic's authenticity, told Sumanathera to keep it.

King Nu Naone of Lan Na heard of the relic and bade the monk to bring it to him. In 1368 the relic broke into two pieces. The king placed one piece on the back of a white elephant which was released into the jungle. The elephant is said to have climbed up Doi Suthep, stopped, trumpeted three times, then dropped dead. This was interpreted as an omen, and King Nu Naone immediately ordered the construction of a temple at the site.

southeastasia2023 — The building of the temple complex.

southeastasia2023 — Nagas used in the edge of the roof of this building.

southeastasia2023 — Virginia Ann resting on the Naga which follows the 309 steps from the base of the hill to the temple.

southeastasia2023 — The Naga heads at the base of the stairs up to the temple. We were able to take a tram to the top and walked down the stairs to leave.

southeastasia2023 — Street vendors at the base of the temple complex with an interesting fan to kep insects off the food.

southeastasia2023 — Street food for sale at the temple.

southeastasia2023 — Very large statue in the jungle slopes of the hill.

southeastasia2023 — A Makara - part crocodile and part something else these guys are like the Naga on stairs protecting the entrance to temples.

southeastasia2023 — It was dusk by the time we returned to Chiang Mai - and every night there is a market. Our guide asked the van to drop us off at the far end of the market and we walked for what seemed like a mile to the other end.

southeastasia2023 — Many street food vendors.

southeastasia2023 — Candies looking like vegetables - not a bad idea but you would think it would be the other way around.

southeastasia2023 — Virginia Ann enjoyed the shopping.

southeastasia2023 — Massage places inside and out were prevalent - here a foot massage set up in a street off the night market.

southeastasia2023 — Street vendor cooking some sort of fried dish.

southeastasia2023 — Did not expect to see insect street food - and people were buying.

southeastasia2023 — Year of the Cat in Vietnam - must be why there are so many kitties for sale.

southeastasia2023 — Great display of small toy elephants.

southeastasia2023 — Barbecue squid anyone?

southeastasia2023 — Ironic - elephants marching to the right.

southeastasia2023 — After passing out through the gates to the city the length of the night market is visible.

southeastasia2023 — Our hotel was beautiful this century plus old Rain Tree was at the edge of the hotel on the Ping River.

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