After a lovely breakfast (included in the 26quid!) we sorted out a couple of trips with our guesthouse before heading out into the city. We walked round the walls of the city for a bit and took in another couple of temples.
This is just one example of the many pictures of the King which are everywhere. This country clearly very much loves and respects their Royal Family - imagine pictures like that back home - they would probably get graffiti-ed!
In the afternoon we took a trip up Doi Suthep, a mountain which rises steeply at the city's western edge. Our first stop was Ban Doi Pan village which is home to a Hmong tribe. We had a nice walk through the market and some gardens.
Villager making the traditional tribal dress - a process made much quicker by the sewing machine!
Although we didn't buy anything it was nice to be able to properly browse without constant cries of: "Lady - you like? Lady - you buy?" - very unlike Bangkok!
There were only 6 of us on the trip, a French couple, German girl and an American guy. The American was decidedly odd - both to look at and in his behaviour. For those of you who have seen the film Zoolander - imagine the Ben Stiller character at 70 after a lot of surgery to keep his expression constantly as 'Magnum'!!
He was very quick to part with his money and within minutes had bought a massive carpet. Word seemed to get round the market and soon he was being followed by hordes of sellers! At one point he gave 100B to a bloke just to get rid of him!
Back on the bus he was keen to show off all of his purchases. These included some 'gems' which he'd paid the equivalent of 30quid for. That's a fortune over here for what seemed to be nothing more than costume jewelery!
It was funny when he asked what we'd all bought as our combined purchases were a mango (me!) and a can of fanta!
We then drove over to the beautiful Wat (meaning temple) Phra That Doi Suthep. This is the temple with the view as it towers magnificently over the city. It was great to have a really knowledegable guide who provided us with loads of cultural and historical information.
She explained how you work out what Buddha type you are which was fun. It is similar to horoscopes and particular characteristics are attributed to different types. Michelle is a reclining Buddha - apparently meaning she is prone to laziness - ha ha! Whereas I am Buddha preventing calamity meaning I am a great peacemaker - I felt smug at being the best Buddha!
Handley - In my defense I think there must have been something lost in the translation and the Reclining Buddha represents a laid back chilled personality rather than lazy ;o)
Hudson - I'm only quoting what our expert guide told us...!
Anywho - here are some pics of the temple with the view:
My attempt to be arty!
I'd like to say it was a hazy day, but unfortunately it's pollution and is like that all the time.
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