'Wat Phra That Doi Suthep' (A Temple in Chiang Mai)

Because I didn't climb enough steps during my Annapurna trek, I visit 'Wat Phra That Doi Suthep', a temple, located in the moutians just outside Of Chiang Mai. Thankfully there are only 309 steps leading up to it and I get driven up the mountain in one of the uncomfortable 'sorngtaaou' (a roofed pick up truck with benches in the back - I think they look a bit like 1950s fire engines) used instead of buses around the city.

Above: A Sorngtaaou

Above: Inside a sorngtaaou - the bad driving, sideways benches 

and lack of doors create a very real risk of sliding out the back

Above: Steps up to the temple

The temple was 'chosen' by a sacred relic of the Buddha which was mounted on the back of a white elephant who was then left to wander. Where the elephant eventaully stopped and died, known as Doi Suthep, the temple was built. The temple complex is filled with pagodas, shrines, bells and Buddhists, who are having their pictures taken whilst sitting in the 'mermaid' position (legs tucked behind them) in front of the main chedi - the copper plated tower.

Donation boxes are by far the most numerous feature of the temple. There are rows and rows of them which look like letter boxes and enable the giver to choose where their donation will go (monks, building temples, students or 'oldsters'). There are also donation bowls in front of every shrine and coins stuck with wax to statues.

Above: Donations

Behind the main temple there is a view of the whole of Chiang Mai, showing just how square the old city is. Built in 1296 the 1.5km square town is lined with a moat and, originally, walls which are now mostly collapsed. Before leaving I buy a huge, yellow corn on the cob from one of the many street food vendors and, as I've often done when eating fresh fruit and vegetables recently, note (and lament) how more flavour it has compared to what we get at home.

Above: View of Chiang Mai

Above: Canal around old Chiang Mai