Day 16 & 17

05.06.23 & 06.06.23

Feeling a little tired today, but ok, so I’ve decided to go for a little wander kind of north west from the hotel, using as many little alleys as possible. 

The plan is not to go too far.

It’s a great start I find some tucked away, gorgeous hotels, which look gorgeous! One of which has a lovely looking shop which i decide will be a nice cool stop! It has some great clothes made out of funky sack like stuff. Unfortunately it all looks tiny! 

I’m a little disconcerted to be followed round very closely by the sales person 😳 I know I’m looking a little hot, but I don’t thing I look like I’m about to rob the place! Perhaps she’s being solicitous 🙂

I continue on my walk, past big Temples and find myself coming out near the 3 kings monument, I decide against stopping for a drink and continue my amble, finding alleys along the way. 

I know I’ve said this before but it is amazing how quickly these alleys take you away from the hustle and bustle into the real heart of the place. 

I pass a building that’s playing music and realise it’s actually a dance class, with several older couples practicing, it’s so quaint and unexpected, I’d loved to have photographed it but felt that would be an intrusion. I pass hairdressers, shops, people eating lunch, tending their gardens, kids playing, schools, a college, apartments. Wonderful. 

I eventually emerge from the alleys near to a fabulous Temple called, Wat Lok Moli, which is along the north wall of the old city. 

I walk across to have a look. I’m wearing a sleeveless top but luckily I had the foresight to bring a wrap to cover my shoulders, which is helpful but hot! 

After this a walk along the waterway by the wall to the north corner, Hui Lin Corner. Then head down the west side of the wall before coming back into the old city and find myself back near the 3 king’s monument and stop at the Women’s Correctional Training cafe for a much needed Mango smoothie!! 🥵 It’s delicious, the air conditioning is cold, I eventually cool down!  The cafe seems very busy, with lots of serious looking Police, army, prison officers? All in very ornate, well pressed uniforms! (how do they stay so crisp & cool looking, I’m a soggy, sweaty mess!) I would have liked to,get a picture, but was a bit scared too! 😳I guess this is not surprising as it is an actual prison. 

I while away a bit of time, checking photos of Herbie, who is getting very big. Thanks Nikki for the updates 😘❤️ I send a sweaty video to Herbie and Clementine, so they don’t forget me! 

From here I head east and start to feel peckish. I only had fruit and a yogurt for breakfast today.  Next to the ‘Unirish Pub’ (yes, that is what it’s called 😃) I spot a bakery, I end up ordering a chicken and salad ciabatta. The bread is yummy, the chicken is mixed with very stron garlic mayo, but it’s tasty 😋 Whilst there something bitey manages to get in my trousers and proceeds to have a little biting frenzy! 😟 

I do have my White tiger  balm with me, so try and rub it in without looking weird with my hand down my trousers!! 😂

I walk back to the hotel and straight into the pool…….💙💙 

I end up only doing 10 lenghts as I’m a bit bloody knackered, I’ve done over 11,000 steps and it’s only 2.30 & 34 degrees! 

The ciabatta or probably the mayo has given my indigestion! The best thing is a walk around, not ideal as my feet are aching, but needs must. I just walk along to the coffee place and back which seems to do the trick . 

I’m undecided about dinner plans, Noodles? Curry? Rice? Falafel?  Just not sure. I walk towards Kats anyway and stop at the little Indian place by the hotel. It has good reviews, so decide to give it a go. 

The restaurant itself is a little lacking in atmosphere, it’s quite stark but the staff are friendly and the food is supposed to be good.

I have the chicken biriyani with a side of raita, it’s very good! A huge portion, which I can’t possibly finish, but take home instead. 

A great little find and a nice change from Thai flavours. I’ll be back. (Which I hope you all read in an Arnold voice 😂)

Then it’s home to read, and sleep! 

😍 Happy days, an undisturbed nights sleep, the Viking family are being perfectly behaved! Unfortunately they are still not very friendly. But, kudos to me I guessed correctly where they are from. I had suspected from listening to them speak at breakfast, but wasn’t 100% sure, but they confirmed yesterday when they said the parents are flying home to Israel! Looks like Viking boy is staying. 😕

Right, that’s that little saga done I feel, but I’m sure I’ll,let you know if anything else occurs 

I am off to visit a particular temple today, it’s called Wat Sri Suphan, or The Silver Temple. I follow a group on Facebook called ‘View from Your Window’ it’s a great way of seeing views from all around the world. Earlier this week I posted a view of a temple here through a window and tagged it as Chiang Mai, and someone commented and recommended visiting this Temple, so off I go! 

It’s not that far away, just off the Sunday Walking Street on Wua Lai Road.

It’s so weird being on this road without all the stalls and people! 😳

The temple is easy to find and quite beautiful. I don’t think my pictures do it justice, trying to photograph silver in the sun isn’t the best. 

Women aren’t allowed inside this temple, due to the fact that we menstruate. You also have to pay to enter the grounds, 50tbt approximately £1 TBF you do get a bottle of water, a leaflet and a rather fancy key ring! Bargin. 

The carving is so intricate and beautiful. 

After visiting the temple and the silver workshops nearby I head back. I spot a large urn on the path which has water, plants and tiny little fish in!! It’s so cute and totally random. 😍🐠Love it.

It’s pretty hot today, the last few days have been very sunny in the mornings until at least mid afternoon. 

It’s straight into the pool to cool off and do my lengths. I’m not sure what the staff make of my swimming, Tam, one of the waiters asked me yesterday what my plans were, I said walking and sightseeing and then he said ‘and Swimming, yes? You like swimming?’ 😂😂

I do indeed! 

24 lengths today. Then reading, a beer and some Lays! 

Kats Kitchen it is this evening. I arrive just in time, as 5 minutes after I sit down, they are full with at least 20 people queuing! Crazy.

Chicken and vegetable curried rice today. Yum!! 😍

Observations.

It’s very strange seeing so many people still smoking, especially Europeans. We have got so used to most people vaping you forget about the smell. 

Books read 9

The Brief. Simon Michael. Reasonable. Crime/legal. 

The 6.20 Man. David Baldacci. OK. 

Slight delay in posting due to technical difficulties with my hotmail & photos 😬😳 Hopefully it’s fixed now 🤞