So one week ago we left sunny, bitter-sweet beaches to head North. I had been told that northern Thailand is more authentic, less invaded by tourists, and maybe matches more with the mental image you have of the country (temples everywhere, buddhism spirit, and so on).
That is for sure the case of Chiang Mai. This city – whose old quarter is built in a square shape, with the edges marked by a water stream – is for sure the incarnation of my Thailand ideal (except for tourists, we are everywhere!). Every corner hides a temple, from the most colourful and kitsch ones (with flashing colors, snakes, golden decorations)..
(Wat Doi Suthep, old temple on a mountain outside Chiang Mai)
..to the most ancient, modest ones (my personal favorites), through which you can sens the passing of centuries of veneration and tradition.
We happily spent several days in Chiang Mai, alternating cultural exploration with market life (night markets everywhere, for the joy of my father and his people & shopping tolerance!).
After exploring Chiang Mai and its surroundings,
(Top view of Chiang Mai from distance)
..we decided to head to Pai, a little village 130 km away from CM. What a brilliant idea! The way to get there was quite tough (4 hours ride through litterally 700 curves up on mountains roads!!!!),
but once you reach there you are welcomed in a tiny village situated among hills and mountains, with spectacular relaxing views of nature, fields, green…feeling so much in contact with LIFE!
(Yunlai view point with lovely tea)
(Thai Chi and Sunset at the Canyon)
(Just beautiful nature)
(Sunset from Big White Buddha temple)
After Pai, we had planned to go to see the famous “White temple” in Chiang Rai. Even if looking at the map you would think going from Pai to CR is easy and straight, you actually have to go back to Chiang Mai (700 curves back, yay!) and then from there to CR. Equals : all day on the bus! Luckily during our stop over and CM we got the pleasant surprise to see Bamboo again, a tuk tuk driver we came across several times during our days in CM – even if he never really took us anywhere. This Man had the biggest impact on me: 10 years ago he spent one year as a monk, of which 9 months spent outside the temple, living in nature in the mountains and then in a cave, accompanying and Learning from an old monk. No need to say how time we had to wait passed by so fast. Everyone on earth should have a talk with this man. He made me think of the importance of time. How we own just this in truth, and time should not own us…
After a long, pensive ride, we finally arrived in Chiang Rai. We were a bit disappointed by the City and its must sees. Especially the White temple !! Or : How to build something tremendously kitsch in a spot just for tourists to line up there. So we boycotted it and did not enter (the only temple we have been to where you actually have to pay a ticket!).
As for the rest, CR has not much yo offer…so we headed to the Golden Triangle, to be in the spot where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar touch each other, just divided by the Mae Kong river. Very nice feeling 🙂
Guest starring in our North experience have been our Koh Lanta friends Jen and Cédric, amazing Martinique couple who quit everything to travel the world for one year – who we met both in Chiang Mai and Pai 🙂
Now we feel we need to go back to Chiang Mai again. So another long bus ride ahead of us. But that leaves me time to update the blog here. 😉
Many new thoughts in my mind…please, take your time. To feel the time that you own and its precious value.
And then, take the time to enjoy it.
No rush, no rush…
Just lots of love.
Electricity in Space 