Thailand Adventure--Day 12

This morning we were able to actually sleep in. We boarded the bus at 8:30 for an excursion to two temples. Tradition says that the King sent his soldiers out to find relics of Lord Buddha. They brought back two. This was considered a sign by the King to build his city here. Thus began the city of Chiang Mai. One of these holy relics resides in the first temple we visited here in the city. The King placed the other on the back of an elephant which wandered to the top of the mountain overlooking Chiang Mai. When the elephant reached the top, it trumpeted three times and fell dead. This was then considered the place to build a temple for the second relic.

Pilgrims receiving a blessing from a monk

This second temple, on a mountain overlooking Chiang Mai, was one of my favorite temples. We took a funicular to the very top where the temple was built. It and the entire grounds were beautiful and relaxing even though it's popularity made it a bit crowded for my taste. Still it was a stunning place. The spire housing the relic was covered in 29 kilos of gold. Monks offered blessings, sprinkling you with holy water and giving away white bits of yarn to tie around your wrist as a sign that you have received their blessing.

Us in front of the reliquary at the temple

Lines of temple bells were rung by pilgrims as they passed. Shrines were covered in marigold offerings and incense wafted into the air. These shrines were prayed before by young and old alike. Another shrine had a line of pilgrims who walked contemplatively three times around its perimeter holding prayers, incense and more marigolds. It was a truly beautiful site.

The funicular shaft looking toward the top

Some of us walked back down from the hilltop. I chose to use the funicular to go back down saving my knees. From there we all met up at the jade factory where we learned about the gem and how they carve it. It was all very beautiful and pricey. Our group weren't big spenders so the spiel was really wasted on us. Anil did take us to a terrific coffee bar right out the front door of the jade factory where we had the best coffee of the trip. We thought of bringing some home but it was not vacuum packed and was about $15 a pound. So we enjoyed our 30 Baht cup and went on our way.

Back on the bus and down the hair raising, winding road to Chiang Mai where we were back at our hotel by 1:30. Being the hottest time of the day, we elected to nap, read or go to the pool.

The late afternoon was spent repacking our bags and finding space for some of the purchases we had made. About 5, Leslie decided to go out to see a bit more of the city, especially the pedestrian walking areas and the markets that lined it. I decided to stay in to read and finish my packing. Plus, I was getting to that point that I often do towards the end of a trip, where I am just ready for it to be over. I didn't used to be this way. I was the last one to board the plane, dragging my heels to the last. But I'm ready to sleep in my own bed. I've thoroughly enjoyed our time here, but we can head home anytime now. And we will soon. In the morning we will put out our bags about 7:30, go down for breakfast and then board the bus for the airport where we will fly back to Bangkok. There we will spend one more night before heading to the airport again for the flight to L.A. A couple of days there and on to home. So I can see the light at the end of the travel tunnel so to speak and I guess that just takes the wind out of my wanderlust sails. Leslie's approach is just the opposite. She doesn't want it to end.  No worries. 3 weeks at home and we'll be off for an even longer adventure!