Day 19 & 20

Tuesday.

After my disturbed nights sleep, I woke at around 7.30 

I apparently have breakfast included in my room rate, so figure a shower, breakfast then the White Temple.

I shower in my tiny room, then dry the toilet seat!  

The lady in charge of breakfast is awesome, tiny, with excellent English, very helpful and friendly. She is not happy that I don’t want any eggs, omelettes, French toast, and just want Tea and toast! She relents and brings me a lovely cup of tea. 

As I’m sitting there enjoying the last of my tea the hostess comes over to my table with another lady and asks if they can ask me a few questions? I’m not really sure what’s going on, but say, yes, of course. 

The hostess then asks me what my plans for the day are, I tell her I’m heading to the White Temple at which point she says that the lady with her is traveling on her own and would it be OK if she joins me for the day? The lady with her is Helena, who speaks English. 

I’m a little caught off guard and also feel a little cornered. If I say no that’s not ok I’ll sound like a bitch, but I’m not entirely sure I’m happy to spend the day with someone I don’t know. I weigh all this up in a few seconds and decide to go with it. 

I go on to explain that MY plan is to leave in 15 mins, to get the bus to the Temple, so if Helena can be ready that’s all fab. 

Helena meets me and we head off to the bus terminal. 

There is a local bus that goes to the White Temple which I want to use. It’s a normal, non fancy bus and it costs 25bht! I loved it! Full of locals, it had loads of character, and lots of rainbow colours 🌈

Helena and I arrived at the White Temple, Wow, just Wow! It is stunning. So unlike anything else I’ve seen here in Thailand. 

It was the site of one of the oldest Buddies temples in Thailand, it was in a terrible state and no money to repair it so It has, been and continues to be restored and rebuilt by a Thai Artist called, Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat. He started the project in 1997. He wanted total artistic freedom to create his masterpiece. It is white to represent Buddhas purity. 

There is so much symbolism within the temple, for example inside (you can’t take photos inside) there are murals depicting, hello kitty, Spider-Man, The Matrix, Harry Potter, Micheal Jackson, the Twin Tiwers, weapons, missiles, space stations and so much more. These are representing an imperfect life, false gods, consumerism, international politics and our lack of respect and protection of the natural world. 

It is a truly astounding and a remarkable achievement. 

The gardens are also wonderful, I even spotted a Blue Crested Lizard! I initially thought it was a statue (🤦‍♀️) I got some pics, tried to zoom in but ended up with pictures of its tail only! 

I absolutely adored my visit to the White Temple made even more fun by the journey home! 

Helena and I initially thought about getting a taxi back as we were very hit, unfortunately neither of us had a Thai SIM card so couldn’t call one, and there were none around. We walked back out to the main road to find the bust stop and wait for the local bus again. I’d read that they came every 30 mins or so. What turned up was a Blue version of the Red buses/ pick up trucks that they have in Chiang Mai.

It pulled up we looked in and it was completely full, 5 people on either side, as we turned to wait for the next one, a young girl waved us back and then produced from the front of the bus 2 handy little plastic seats which were placed in the aisle in the middle of everyone, next to a large pile of Motorbike tyres! 

All of the passengers were local and one of them was a Buddhist Monk. (This is an important factor)  

All was going well until someone wanted to get off! Then it was the funniest version of musical chairs ever! We all had to move, myself and Helena carrying our chairs had to get off the bus to allow people to disembark, then get back on re stack our chairs and sit on the seats….But, in Thai culture females aren’t allowed to sit next to monks! I knew this, Helena didn’t! So she  went to sit next to the monk, the lady across the way spotted this just in time and grabbed her arm at the same time as hoiking her boyfriend up to take the spot next to the Monk a bemused Helena just sat where she was directed, then a new person got on the bus, plastic chairs were dispersed again, someone at this point was also sitting on the pile of tyres! It was hysterical, I was busy trying not to completely crack up. This palaver happened all over again when we arrived at the garage where the tyres were being delivered! Honestly it was very comical, my pictures don’t do it justice at all! 😂😂

After our eventful journey we arrived back in town and Helena went off to visit the blue Temple. I went for another stroll, it was very quiet and peaceful in Chiang Rai. I spent an hour in a rather fabulous Cat Cafe! 😻😻 

Then I walked back to the hotel and got into the pool, which was busier than I’m used too (I’m normally alone in the pool!) I had a refreshing swim, a nice chat to some Italian visitors, then went back to my room to get changed for Dinner. 

I left earlyish and had a drink back at the Irish Bar, the enjoyed my second meal at Barrab Restaurant. This time I had Pad Thai (my first) and a small portion of ginger curry! 😍😋 Once again a really tasty meal. 

Apparently there is a big parade, celebration tonight to see in Buddhist Lent, which is tomorrow and the start of a Thai long weekend. 

It all sounds great but it starts at 11pm! I finished my dinner at 8! The thought of staying out or awake till 11 is too much! 😳😫 

I head back to my hotel, my damp sheets, and sleep!! 

It’s been a fabulous day! 

Wednesday 

I’m traveling back to Chiang Mai today, my bus leaves at 11am.

I’ve really enjoyed Chiang Rai, if and when I come back to Thailand I’ll definitely stay here for longer. 

The bus station and my bus were much busier today as all the locals are heading home for the holiday and long weekend. 

The journey back was quite rainy and dark and at one point we passed through a small town that was flooded! 

It was so good to get back to my lovely hotel 🥰 I have definitely lucked out with this little gem. 

I had a swim and chilled. 

I’m going out to dinner with Gareth, Dominica and Solomè tonight, which will be fab. 

We decide to go to a Burmese Restaurant that the guys have visited before. This is great for me as I probably wouldn’t have found or known about it otherwise. It’s also so helpful to have someone guide you with the menu, and get to try new things. 

We had a selection of things; Chicken meatballs, a dish similar to Pad Thai but different, a peanut salad, a fish curry and some rice. 

Everything was so so good! The salad was amazing and the meatballs were very light. I loved the food and will most certainly visit again. 

It was lovely to spend the evening with the guys, they are great company and very interesting to talk to. All in all a fabulous evening! 

We take a slow walk back to the hotel and I’m off to my bed! 

That’s it for today guys.

Stay cool!