Old Chiang Mai

Today I had planned a half-day of sightseeing by foot to nearby sights within Chiang Mai’s old city walls.

First up was Wat Chedi Luang.  It was home to the Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok) and the largest structure in ancient Chiang Mai which consisted of a chedi (like a stupa I guess) partially ruined now by an earthquake.  Near the entrance of the entire complex is the “city pillar” (a shrine in which the city’s spirit resides).  By Buddhist regulation, women cannot enter this part of the complex.

It was getting very hot when we continued the short walk to Wat Pra Singh.  Surprisingly the entrance fee here was only THB20, being half of that at the previous temple.  Perhaps it had been reduced as the main hall was closed for restoration.

We made do by visiting the smaller hall which was home to a number of wax statues of monks.  They looked so life-like complete with blotchy skin, age spots and wrinkles.  Most amazing of all were the hair (on those who weren’t smoothly shaved).  One could see all the individual prickles of short (2-3mm) hair coming out of their scalps.

Behind that hall was the spectacular golden main chedi of the complex.  We took refuge in the garden area nearby for a rest before walking back to our hotel, stopping for an early lunch.

We spent some time in the hotel pool in the afternoon but I had to be careful not to get my head in the water.  Both my ears had started to play up very suddenly yesterday afternoon.  I hardly ever have ear problems and I wonder if it was a recurrence of the external ear infection I had a couple of weeks ago.  It’s just so strange that I’ve got issues in both ears now.  I never have problems with water in my ears and my ears equalise automatically when I dive.  Better have it sorted before I go diving in Egypt!

It was laundry day for both of us.  The nearest wash-and-dry place wasn’t near.  But a self-service wash-only place was only a few steps away.  Kim took down the dirty laundry along with a small bottle of hotel shampoo.  It did the job nicely.  Fortunately we had a rack and plenty of hangars to dry them on the verandah.

With a light lunch today, we wandered out for an early dinner tonight in the old town.  We must check out the night markets for some street food tomorrow.