It was in November when I had the chance to visit Chiang Rai. I have been travelling to Thailand for 13 years, but it has always been Bangkok, or recently, places closer to Bangkok. Chiang Rai is different- and lovelier. Weather is cooler specially in the places on the hills.
The purpose of the visit was to "trouble shoot" and help our Chiang Rai office manage some of the issues with their operation. It was a bit stressful...but nonetheless, I found the chance one Saturday (and every night) to go around the city, on my own.
We stayed in a modest hotel right at the center of the city-- close to the night market and to the (countless) coffee shops. I am happy to note that I did not see a Starbucks coffee shop in Chiang Rai (as usually is the case in the cities I have been to). Instead, homegrown coffee shops are everywhere, which are, by the way, all very nice. My favorite is the one right by the Chiang Rai Clock Tower, where I have been going almost every night.
The Clock Tower is an attraction. In the morning, you will see the gold plated clock tower amidst the gold plated island in the middle of the street. At night, you are treated to free entertainment of Thai classical music for 15 minutes, while the clock shifts color for 15 minutes (every hour).
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| The Clock Tower during day time |
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| Lights and Sound show at the Clock Tower during night time |
For several days my routine was: work until 5 pm, eat at cafe's or restaurants while watching the light and sound show at the Clock Tower, shop at the night market, and then back to the hotel. On Saturday, I was able to finally explore the city. While walking, I can't help but notice how even the signboards and bus stops are so "Thai".
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| Sign boards and bus stops. Very Thai. |
First stop was the Wat Phra Kaew, one of the oldest Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai . It was where Bangkok's Emerald Buddha was found. The Wat Phra Kaew is located along Trairat road, Wiang Subdistrict, Muang Chiang Rai. It is free of charge.Its a small place, but serene ,at least during my early morning visit. Monks were getting ready for the day, some were having breakfast.
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| Early morning at the Wat Phra Kaew |
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| Early morning at the Wat Phra Kaew |
This temple was where Bangkok's Emerald Buddha was found. There is a replica of said buddha in the temple.
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| Replica of the Emerald Buddha |
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| Replica of the Emerald Buddha |
The most beautiful, however, are these lovely, colourful flowers, by the temple:
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| Lovely! |
My next destination was the King Mengrai Monument. It was quite a walk from the temple but it was easy to find. This one is also for free.
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| King Mengrai Monument |
My next destination was the Hilltribe Museum. Owned by a non government organization, Population and Community Development Association, the museum will help one understand the culture of the different tribe groups in the area. I was not able to take photo of the museum though.
I did cap the day with the famous Thai massage and dinner of Chiang Rai Sausage (which is different than the other sausages because of its lemon grass taste).
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| Yummy Chiang Rai sausage |
The following week, I got busy again with community visits and such...and occassional view of the tea plantations, and whatever else that came my way as we visit the villages by the hills.
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| Tea plantation, a woman coming home from work, and the on so lovable "mountain" dog |
It was such until Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines and we were ordered to go back to the Philippines to assist in the disastr.
Til then Chiang Rai.
