Around Chiang Mai

Like yesterday, we only have half a day of sightseeing today dedicated to the sights around Chiang Mai.  Actually, the one thing on the agenda was going to Doi Suthep temple on the hill out of town.  With a leisurely start after 1000 by Grab we got there around 1100.

The 300 step hike was a breeze.  It sounded like such a hike but it was truly nothing.  We paid the entrance fee, walked around the perimeter for a view of the surrounding area before entering the no-shoes area.  The golden chedi was beautiful and flanked by four umbrella-like structures at each corner.  We were done in about 30 minutes.

For the first time this trip in Thailand, I noticed European visitors that weren’t Spanish.  There were some Italians and Israelis.  Of course mainland Chinese were aplenty during the country’s Golden Week holidays.

The other sights near Doi Suthep temple didn’t appeal to us.  Well, except for Phuping Palace (also spelt as Bhubing Palace) just for the sound of the name.  It’s pronounced like one’s bodily function which makes it quite funny.

Coming back, we took a Rod Daeng (literally red car) or Song Thaew (two rows).  It was a pickup truck with two rows of seats on the back.  With the vehicle half-full when we found it, we had to wait a little for it to fill up with 10 passengers.

The truck got us back to Tha Pae gate near our hotel around 1300.  It cost only THB80 pp (or THB160 for both) compared to THB480 by Grab.  But it would have been difficult finding a shared ride to the destination from our place.

After lunch, it was already 1400.  We rested by the pool until a torrential downpour with strong winds, lightning and thunder sent us back indoors.  The wind and sheer intensity was a little scary.

Some shops were still closed in the evening when we wandered out for dinner.  In consideration of that, we opted not to go to the night market but eat nearby.  We finished the day with a foot massage; it was a good reminder that they don’t do enough for me.  I just don’t feel anything.  No pain, no gain.