Squirreling about - far far Away

 

Feeling nostalgic for Luang Prabang!  I visited this lovely World Heritage Site earlier this year and am always dreaming to go back...  If you're contemplating a trip to Laos, don't forget to include Luang Prabang in your itinerary! 

Squrreling about - far far away

Last summer I visited this beautiful temple in the north east parts of China. Unfortunately I don't remember the  name of the temple or the city where it was located. I just adore the colours and the patterns. At least I have my memories and this photos. Anyone who recognize this lace?

Squirreling About - far far away

On the outskirts of Chiang Rai there lies a temple which I can only describe as unconventional and even a little bizarre.  With its white exterior and glass mosaics it looks as if it has been dipped in whipped cream and frosting and might belong to a scene from a wintry Narnia rather than the landscape of northern Thailand.

As a matter of fact, Wat Rong Khun is a rather new addition to Chiang Rai.  It was designed and built as recently as 1997 by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and is both a Buddhist and Hindu temple.  The grounds are still under construction, with more buildings planned.  There is also an art gallery opposite the temple exhibiting art by Kositpipat.

Located 5 km south of Chiang Rai it's a short detour if you're driving up from Chiang Mai.  If you do, pick a day when the sky is blue for maximum effect!

Acorn

Cutest little abandoned horse statue found on temple grounds in Mae Sot.

Squirreling About - Chiang Mai

There aren't many places in Chiang Mai where you can comfortably go for a walk, but I sometimes go to the temple grounds of Wat Jet Yod for a stroll.  The trick is to go early in the morning, before it gets unbearably hot!  Thankfully, the grounds are large and shady, with enormous trees and narrow brick walkways that take you past the different temples and chedis.

Wat Jet Yod was built in 1455 and means "Seven Peaks", refering to the seven chedis that top one of the old temples.  It is quite an unusual temple, a copy of a temple at Bodhgaya in India.  When I was there yesterday I noticed that it was undergoing restoration. 

Although it is one of the most atmospheric temple grounds in Chiang Mai, it seems that not many tourists find their way there - it took me several years before I discovered it as well.  It's easy to find, however.  Wat Jet Yod is located on the highway which rings Chiang Mai, not far from where it intersects Huay Kaew road.

Squirreling about - far far away

Here are some more photos from Luang Prabang!  These are taken at Wat Xieng Thong, which is one of the most important temples in Laos.  It was built in 1560 and it is believed to be the site where the founders of Luang Prabang placed a boundary stone for the new settlement.  The temple was remodeled and redecorated in the 1960s and was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 1995. 

When I visited Luang Prabang the first time, over ten years ago, the Tree of Life mosaic made a strong impression on me.  It is one of the most beautiful mosaic murals I have ever seen!  Unfortunately that side of the temple was under renovation during this visit, so there was bamboo scaffolding in front and I wasn't able to get a very good shot with my camera. 

On the temple grounds there are also two small chapels, both decorated with coloured glass mosaic on a reddish pink background.  These depict scenes from village and pastoral life and its easy to lose yourself in them trying to figure out a story!

There are other beautiful temples in the area as well, so if you ever find yourself in Luang Prabang, I highly recommend hiring a bicycle and doing a little exploring!

Squirreling about - Chiang Mai

To go or not to go, that is the question! 

The Royal Flora Rachapruek was a flower festival that was held during the end of 2006 and beginning of 2007 in a park outside Chiang Mai.  Since then, it has been open to the public during the high season each year.  I'd heard reports that the quality of the displays have gone down since I was there in 2007 but haven't had a chance to visit until yesterday. 

I have to say that I was rather dismayed by all the business sponsored "attractions", not to mention the rather off-putting music that was blaring from the loudspeakers the whole time we were there.  However, the temple was still beautiful and the orchids lovely.  If you do decide to visit, I recommend being there when it opens at 9 am to avoid the midday heat.

How to get there - Rachapruek lies about 8 kms from the center of town.  Take highway 108 southward and follow the signs.

Squirreling about - Chiang Mai

Ever noticed how it's always the places closest to where you live that you end up visiting only after years and years of passing by each day?  The Wat Gate Karam temple lies just down the road from where I work and it has taken me about six years to get around to poking my head in through the temple gates.  I'm so glad I did though because this temple is a real gem.

Wat Gate Karam was established in 1428.  It lies on the east bank of the Ping river which is the area where Chiang Mai was first founded.  I love the main Chedi with its unusual mosaic of blue and green tiles; it is the first thing to catch your eye as you walk over the footbridge from Warorot market to Charoenrajd Road. 

As I wandered around the temple grounds I was intrigued to see that there are statues of dogs all over the place, ranging from small plastic puppies to large, gold-painted, labrador-like dogs.  Not sure what the significance is.  There is also a small museum which houses a range of Lanna historial artefacts and textiles, although I didn't have time to go inside.  Something to discover next time!

Getting there - Wat Gate lies on Charoenrajd Road not far from Nakorn Ping Bridge.  If you're in the area, I also recommend browsing the shops, galleries and cafes on this road, especially if you're interested in art and textiles.

Squirreling about - Chiang Mai

Another of my favourite temples in the old part of Chiang Mai is Wat Phan Tao, more commonly known as the 'Teak Temple'.  As the name suggests, it is made almost entirely out of teak (including the nails) and is one of the few remaining all-wood buildings left in Chiang Mai.  It lies right down the road from Wat Chedi Luang, at the intersection of Prappoklao and Rachadamnoern Road.

Squirreling about - Chiang Mai

I like pottering around the old part of Chiang Mai on Sundays.  Not only is it full of nice cafes and shops but some of the oldest and most interesting temples lie here as well.  I like walking around the spacious Wat Chedi Luang compound (if it's not too hot - the best time to go is before 11 am or after 4 pm).  The name literally means 'Royal Pagoda' and for a time the Emerald Buddha was housed here before being moved to Bangkok.  The Chedi was built almost 600 years ago and was partly destroyed, whether by an earthquake or during the Burmese invasion in the 18th Century is uncertain.    

Wat Chedi Luang lies in the heart of the old city on Prapokklao Road, close to the Prapokklao-Rachadamnoern Road intersection.  It's easy to find and close to several other temples as well.  On Sunday evenings the Walking Street Market or 'Thanon khon deuhn' is held on this street too and remains my absolute favourite of all Chiang Mai markets.

Squirreling about - Chiang Mai

Today I re-discovered Wat Phrathat Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain), a quaint little temple situated on the mountain slopes behind Royal Flora Ratchapruek.  This is the perfect temple to visit if you'd like a gorgeous view over Chiang Mai but don't have the time to go all the way up Doi Suthep. 

How to get there - Follow highway 121 (Canal Road) towards Hang Dong, turn right at the Ratchapruek intersection then follow the signs for Wat Phrathat Doi Kham.  It took me about 20 minutes from Chiang Mai on my motorbike.