Wandering around Chang Mai
October 17, 2007
The muesli at 'Nice Kitchen' in Chang Mai - now that's a breakfast!
Back at the guesthouse I booked my transport to Laos for the following day. A minibus to Chiang Kang, over-night accommodation and 5-6 hour speedboat ride down the Mekong to Louang Prabang. The 'plan' is to meet up with Hazel and Maria there - who will get into Laos the day before me - and go on another trek.
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The afternoon was much cooler than the morning so I went for a walk to buy a larger backpack. If trekking has taught me anything, it's that I need more clothes and bigger pack to keep them in.
Young monks praying
Next stop was to Fed-Ex home my original pack and messenger bag, along with some photos from the trek and couple of photo-CD's.
After buying an extra pair of shorts I wandered around Chang Mai for hours, browsing bookshops, 'arts and crafts' shops and street stalls. I eventually ended up at Wat Phra Singh, where I sat at the back of the temple watching about one hundred young monks chanting and praying in front of a huge golden Buddha. I'm not at all a religious or spiritual person, but I sat there for about 15 minutes, completely and utterly at peace with myself. It's about as close to religion as I ever want to get.
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In the evening I went to Da Stefanos Italian restaurant - recommedned in my travel guide - where I had a pizza and fruit shake. The fruit here is so fresh and tasty it would be wrong not to eat mountains of it everyday.
Next stop was the night bazaar where I bought two extra t-shirts (perfectly original(!) DrunknMunky & Billabong t-shirts for 300 baht) and spent a few more hours exploring the various stalls. But if you've been to one night bazaar...
The muesli at 'Nice Kitchen' in ...
Young monks praying
Young monks praying
Young monks praying
Young monks praying
Buddha
Young monks praying
Wat Phra Signh
Wat Phra Signh
Wat Phra Signh
A sleeping dog...
Wat Phra Signh
Wat Phra Signh
Friendly and inexpensive accomodation.
Located on a quiet street a few minutes walk from the Tha Pae Gate and from the bar and restaurant lined Thanon Loi Khro. Friendly and helpful staff.
180 baht per night for a clean and comfortable single room, some with air-con the rest with a fan and with en-suite bathroom.
No TV or refrigerator.
Windows have mosquito mesh covering which means no mozzies!
Free secure storage of luggage and valuables.
They can organise treks and onward transport to Laos.
Restaurant and internet cafe.
180 baht per night for a clean and comfortable single room, some with air-con the rest with a fan and with en-suite bathroom.
No TV or refrigerator.
Windows have mosquito mesh covering which means no mozzies!
Free secure storage of luggage and valuables.
They can organise treks and onward transport to Laos.
Restaurant and internet cafe.
