This gilded wat is one of four royal wats in the north on the slopes of Doi Suthep mountain. The site was selected in the 14th century by a sacred white elephant that was allowed to wander the hills with a miraculous relic to determine where a new wat would be constructed to house the relic. Doi Suthep is where the elephant completed its auspicious wanderings. The final climb to the temple is made up a 290-step staircase flanked by two mystical naga (snake-like creatures).
This elephant was outside of the wat. His main purpose, it seemed, was to be fed by tourists. Not a bad gig.
Afterwards, J and I headed to the spa for Thai massage. Experts say that to fully benefit, the massage ought to take two hours. Sign me up.
Massage isn't for the modest. Even though there is the creative towel layering for coverage, you are asked to slink into special gauzy hot pants for extra concealment. Frankly, it may spare these professionals from some unsightliness, but only some.
Chiang Mai has a raucous night bazaar where you can haggle for all manner of souvenirs, "traditional handicrafts," counterfeit name-brand clothing, pirated DVDs, and opium pipes. The featured dancers had eerie smiles and the particular brass fingernails used to accentuate the hand movements of traditional Thai dance.
Massage isn't for the modest. Even though there is the creative towel layering for coverage, you are asked to slink into special gauzy hot pants for extra concealment. Frankly, it may spare these professionals from some unsightliness, but only some.
Chiang Mai has a raucous night bazaar where you can haggle for all manner of souvenirs, "traditional handicrafts," counterfeit name-brand clothing, pirated DVDs, and opium pipes. The featured dancers had eerie smiles and the particular brass fingernails used to accentuate the hand movements of traditional Thai dance.
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