First step is made!
After long flight I landed in Bangkok. I stayed in Bangkok only till boarding the overnight train to Chiang Mai at 10pm. The 2nd class sleeper was packed and my place was just next to the toilets, so the “enchanting odors” in combination with cockroach’ colonies were not letting me sleep. Still, the calming sound of the train (tudu-tadam- tudu-tadam- tudu-tadam- tudu-tadam) and beautiful morning scenery erased the uncomfortable impressions. Few days later I met people who were in the overnight train in 3rd class sitting on the wooden chairs ending with such terrible backaches that ended only after 3 days. I am happy that I’ve chosen the sleeper.
The guesthouse I am staying here in Chiang Mai is nice and warm and the room is somewhat basic, but clean. And all that for 160Bhat (33 Baht=1$, so figure out how cheap it is). I slept for 18 hours!
Chiang Mai changed a lot since last time I was here (about 10 years ago). I do not remember having skyscrapers back then. I do not recognize the streets, but still the shape of the town is the same – old city squared by the 4 gates on the N-S-W-E and the famous Chiang Mai night bazaar just outside of the gates.
Although it is touristy spot for arranging treks for up north Thailand, Chiang Mai still has the small and warm Asian town atmosphere with small busy streets, open markets and food courts, but also very friendly to the visitors needs with wide offer of guest houses, tour operators, millions of Thai massage vendors, restaurants, 7 Elven’s, ATMs… At the evening and night, the streets are bustling with the cafes, bars, pubs – very alive town with something for everyone’s interest.
Chiang Mai's temples
I walked most of the old town and some of the parts outside of the gates. It has dozens of WAT (temples) where you can enjoy the tranquility of the nicely maintained gardens, beautiful surfaces of WAT mostly “guarded” by dragons and with Buddha’s statues everywhere.
Most interesting WAT to visit are Wat Chedi Luang with remains of old Stupa and extremely nice small WAT covered with jade. In the yard there is also golden sleeping Buddha where I lighted the candles and incense and offered flower for a good start of the journey. Here you can sit with the monk and have so called “monk chat” asking questions and discussing about Buddhism and life it self.
WAT Pra Sing is another nice temple to spend your time as it has very nicely arranged yard with small tables and chairs to sit below the tree shade. On each tree has some Buddhist wisdom stated. Here I met nice Buddhist monk called Ken and we had pleasant 2 hour conversation. Strangely, I met him again next day on the street by accident and we again spent an hour talking and we exchanged e-mails. In WAT Suan Dok I made few nice pictures of youngsters playing music on different traditional instruments.
Another very interesting place is Museum of insects and natural wonders, run by a local enthusiast whose collection of insects, bugs, mosquitoes, beautiful rocks, woods and petrified stones are more then impressive. It is small museum but you can fill the love, passion and commitment in the work of this great person. Definitely a must see if you ever come to Chiang Mai.
Although I am only 1 week on the “road” I adjusted to the Asian atmosphere the minute I stepped on the Asian ground! I like the sounds, smells and tastes of SI Asia. It feels like I am home here. Nevertheless, I prefer the smaller cities to big bustling Asian towns (e.g. Bangkok) The villages, people and gorgeous nature makes me feel comfortable, secure and somehow “just right”. It is difficult to explain. For me, it is always about people and their real values, nature and characteristics are seen more clear when in smaller settlements and nature, then in bigger cities. Maybe it is also because it is more difficult to experience the “real” people if you are alone in the city and not having local person to guide you and show you the face and places deeper from the surface you see when you are alone as a foreigner. It is much easier to get through the surface if you are in smaller town and village and especially surrounded by nature.
I plan to enjoy in Chiang Mai for next one week and then will be heading to explore upper North Thailand.
