Chaing Rai

Arrived in Chiang Rai, a short 3 hour bus ride from Chiang Mai. We had a few issues finding our hotel from the bus station but alas made it and wandered out to check out the night bazaar. Chiang Rai so far is a lot like Chiang Mai only a lot smaller. We discovered a cute place to stay, Baan Bua guest house. On Saturday we walked around exploring the city. Lots of little coffee shops and cafes. On Saturday we went to the Saturday night market which was similar to the Sunday walking street in Chiang Mai. So many vendors selling everything you could possibly imagine. It was super crowded and I wondered where all the people were coming from as Chiang Rai does not seem that big. 

On Sunday we signed up for a siteseeing tour. First stop on the tour was the "White Temple". This temple was built (and is still being finished) about 13 years ago by a famous artist in Thailand. It is white because it is supposed to depict his vision of heaven. It was very interesting because as you first enter the temple there are stautes and things that are supposed to depict hell and represents how you have to walk through hell to get to heaven. Inside the temple was a mural that had a similar theme. Things that were corrupt or evil on the bottom and more heavenly as you move to the top. The artist painted things like guns, knives, missles, and various American sci-fi and fantasy characters...superman, avatar, keenu reeves from the matrix.... interesting. Things I would not think would be painted in a temple.

Next stop was the "Black House" which is pretty much the exact opposite of the White Temple. The house was supposed to depict hell. It was built by another famous artist but I have to say I did not understand it. The house itself was beautiful but it was filled with dead animal skulls and the skeleton of an elephant.... Didn't quite like that as much as the white temple.

From here we took a GORGEOUS drive through the mountains up to the top of Mae Salong. The top itself was a big tourist trap attempting to get you to buy stuff made by the hilltribe villagers. The drive up was pretty stunning and we got to get a glimpse of the village life. We stopped a few times along the way to take pictures of the panaramic views and check out the tea plantations. A great tour! One more day in Chiang Rai and then we are headed to Chiang Khong on the Thailand/Laos border!!

Try to post pictures soon!