Day #11- Chiang Mai Day 2

We scheduled a tour with Jane, our driver from yesterday. He picked us up promptly at 8:30. We were going to tour the temples in the city first and then head out of the city up the mountain to visit a tribal village. We first stopped at The old original gate of the old city. Thapae Gate- it was just a quick photo stop. Then We stopped at the Three Kings Monument. Another quick photo stop. The first king is the king who settled and choose the area for Chiang Mai. The other two kings were his friends who helped him build and occupy the city. Chiang Mai is almost 800 years old. 

We had a short delay- Bill thought he had forgot his sunglasses. We returned back to the hotel to get them. He was gone a long time. I knew he could not find them. I returned to the room with him and he was really upset he had lost his new sunglasses. I was doing my best not to be frustrated with him, he got them for Father's Day. Am at himself we got back in Jane's car and in the center if the back seat, mixed with all the seatbelts were his sunglasses. Our blessing yesterday did bring good luck! He was so relieved! Jane thought it was hilarious. 

So we set out again. We headed to Chedi Luang Wat.  

I am still amazed at how beautiful the I sides of all these temples are, everyone is in wonderful condition and look well restored. 

I really like the outside of the old temple. This use to house the Jade Buddha that is now in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The original temple has not been kept up and was destroyed during a storm long ago. I still think it is beautiful. 

Most of the elephants on the outside were gone, but on the far corner, they look to be in good condition. 

I zoomed way in to get a photo of the golden Buddha sitting up at the top in the door way. 

The sky and the sun were beautiful and to have such a clear backdrop to an interesting temple is just pretty. 

Here is their reclining Buddha. 

And the traditional Buddha. 

Next we went to Srisuphan the Silver Temple. Here is the inscription outside the temple. In short- I could not go in! 

I guess I will accept that I can not go in for my own protection. But still I would have liked to see the inside of such a pretty building. I guess I will look at the pictures Bill took. 

I was not allowed to even step foot at the base of the temple. 

Silver elephant! It is such a contrast to all the good we have been seeing. 

This is the back side of the building. 

Here is the adjacent temple. One gold Buddha and one silver Buddha. You can see Bill putting on his shoes. 

After that temple we visited Suan Dok Wat. It is an area where the royals ashes are buried. 

Inside each spire are some royal ashes for the royals who fought in this area to claim the land for Thailand. 

The good against the white is very striking. To enter the grounds you had to take your shoes off. Even though we were outside. Barefoot in Thailand! 

We went into a building that was under renovation. I kept thinking I can't believe I  am walking around barefoot in a construction zone. 

The ceiling is equally impressive. 

After this temple we went to the Tiger Kingdom for lunch. 

Finish this post on part two- there are too many pictures to load! 

Day #11- Flight # 5- Hotel # 5- City #5