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Day 25: Chiang Rai, 33°

Street Markets!

As promised I’ll begin with the lights at the Blue Temple after sunset. It was well worth the wait! Except for a few individuals, one small bus tour and the usual interesting people trying to video themselves for Instagram posts, we had the place to ourselves. Here are a few of my images, though I haven’t had time to go through them yet.

Twilight

Temple front.
The front gate.

An unusual view from outside to the white Buddha statue inside the temple.
Rear of the temple.
Just me alone in the temple.

It was so dark that we decided that it wouldn’t be a very good idea to walk back on the roads. So we called a Grab ride and the woman was so lovely that we have hired her for a drive out to the ballon festival later today and back again. If that works out ok we will hire her to drive us out to see others sites.

She dropped us back in the centre of town where we could have some fun and our dinner as we wandered the night market. Here are some photos from last night.

Pork dumplings were excellent!

A fellow was carving figures at the market. He had created this village scene and I thought of my cousin Gord.
A stop for some spicy veggie spring rolls! Yum!
I sent these pancakes on sticks home to the family for ideas for the grandkids.
Found these wonderful pancake things with coconut paste inside. Hot off the grill! Simply amazing! AM had strawberry.
So many types of Belgian pancake toppings!

This area was the normal daily outdoor market.

We walked back to our hotel and had a nice glass of white wine while sitting outside watching the clock tower change colours. Wine is typically very expensive here. It bongs on the hour as well!

This morning after a nice breakfast, we went walking out to see the covered market. I had seen it on Google maps and we thought it would be fun to investigate on a Sunday morning.

It started quietly.

AM at a market gate.
Observing a local farmer selling her produce.
This was the first time I’d seen a vendor selling live seafood on this trip. They pump oxygen into the water. I’d last observed this practice in Vietnam.
Cleaning fish. She has likely cleaned thousands of them. Nice and fresh though!
So colourful!
I had told David no temple visits today, but they sure add to the street scenes.

Local farmers.
Some folks like this woman were working very hard.
Others, not so much!
Definitely not ice cream or chocolate!

Not everyone was having a good start to their day. Probably up very early to get here.
This guy was great! Clearly a United supporter. “United no 1”! He and I are definitely living in denial these days. Stuck in past glories.

Back inside for a while.

After the market we walked the streets and came across a flower market.

We returned to our room to try and sort out plans for Angkor Wat which we will be visiting in just a few days. It may well be my highlight in a trip full of highlights.

After an hour of messing around we went out in search of lunch and found a small place close by.

Thai ice tea for me.
Iced coffee and shrimp fried rice.
Thai noodles with prawns, green stuff snd hot red peppers for me!😱 Super delicious!

We had a tub time call with Erin and Avery which was great (no tub photo) and received photos from the girls at Bowen Island where they are enjoying the long weekend and some family time.❤️

Shortly our driver from last night will be picking us up to take us out of town to the festival. There’s really no other way out there and it is expected to be very busy. Our hotel gave us courtesy tickets which was really nice of them.

We are really enjoying Chiang Rai and wish we had cut a day from Chiang Mai to add to here. However, there’s no going backwards!

A really fun day planned tomorrow as well, and David, there will be a temple! However, it shouldn’t disappoint.

Cheers for today!

Geoff🎈🎈🎈🎈

Perhaps the most impressive wiring creation I’ve seen so far!

One thought on “Day 25: Chiang Rai, 33°”

  1. this is the best blogs you you have sent, in my opinion. The blue temples are remarkable and the gold ones are pretty special too. You seem to find some yummy food and be learning much about the food that you enjoy most.
    time to go and make dinner so I must go now. Dad has been having a hard time getting his comment going and will send it later tonight.
    Wonderful to see you having such a great time. It makes me very happy to be able to follow so much of it.

    Stay safe and continue this wonderful journey. Much love M

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