We boarded an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and were surprised that it was actually pretty comfortable. We had a double seat to ourselves and it opened out into a private bunk bed with enough room for Nicola and I to share one bed. There was even a curtain to make it more private. The workers on the train are not paid a wage but they receive a commission from what they sell; so we had to fend off enthusiastic beer sellers all evening.
We arrived in Chiang Mai after a 12 hour journey and after a further 30 minute journey by car we reached our hotel, the Chiang Mai Gate Hotel. We were pleased with our room, it was large and spacious, was comfortable, clean and well decorated; a definite improvement on our Bangkok hotel. It was also a relief to change our clothes and shower after our overnight train journey.
The scenery in Northern Thailand was very different to Bangkok, it was more rural and looked a bit like something from a Vietnam war film. Chiang Mai seemed a lot more relaxed than Bangkok, although it was still a busy place.
We planned to visit the 300 step temple located on a mountain overlooking the city of Chiang Mai. Our guide Sek told us that Buddhists believe that they can not reach Nirvana without visiting this temple. Despite the heat, the 300 steps were worth climbing in order to reach the temple.
The temple and its compound were very grand, like Wat Po, everything seemed to glitter gold. There were detailed murals on he walls that were well preserved, and the numerous carvings were all golden Buddha statues.
We were lucky enough to be blessed by two separate monks, who wished us a safe journey. One of the monks, after blessing us, tied a piece of white string around my wrist and his assistant tied one around Nicola's wrist because monks are not allowed to directly touch females. Sek told us this was because monks have opted to follow a spiritual path and should refrain from temptation...women being one temptation.
See temple pictures below...
We arrived in Chiang Mai after a 12 hour journey and after a further 30 minute journey by car we reached our hotel, the Chiang Mai Gate Hotel. We were pleased with our room, it was large and spacious, was comfortable, clean and well decorated; a definite improvement on our Bangkok hotel. It was also a relief to change our clothes and shower after our overnight train journey.
The scenery in Northern Thailand was very different to Bangkok, it was more rural and looked a bit like something from a Vietnam war film. Chiang Mai seemed a lot more relaxed than Bangkok, although it was still a busy place.
We planned to visit the 300 step temple located on a mountain overlooking the city of Chiang Mai. Our guide Sek told us that Buddhists believe that they can not reach Nirvana without visiting this temple. Despite the heat, the 300 steps were worth climbing in order to reach the temple.
The temple and its compound were very grand, like Wat Po, everything seemed to glitter gold. There were detailed murals on he walls that were well preserved, and the numerous carvings were all golden Buddha statues.
We were lucky enough to be blessed by two separate monks, who wished us a safe journey. One of the monks, after blessing us, tied a piece of white string around my wrist and his assistant tied one around Nicola's wrist because monks are not allowed to directly touch females. Sek told us this was because monks have opted to follow a spiritual path and should refrain from temptation...women being one temptation.
See temple pictures below...
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