What the brochure said: “Chiang Mai is a major destination for visitors, not just because of its outstanding natural beauty, but also because of its historical and cultural importance as the administrative, economic and cultural capital of the old Kingdom of Lan Na.”
What the guide book said: “Chiang Mai owes her existence to the River Ping. The river provided the route along which the power of the city could be extended beyond the wall of mountains that surrounded the valley; it was a channel for trade from China and Burma to the Gulf of Siam kingdom of Lan Na.
Unfortunately, this first week of October 2011, the River Ping is cascading towards Bangkok
We arrived in Chiang Mai on October 4, after the city had cleaned up from the flooding that had occurred there. The city and surrounding area was everything that all the guide books and brochures promised it would be.
Highlights of our trip, with photos to help you get the picture:
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One of the many temples in the old part of the city |
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| Some detailing on one of the temples |
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| An artisan busy at work |
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Jenn and Ralph (travelling companions) at our favourite beer stop |
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A white tiger at the zoo |
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The delightful Cabaret at the Anusarn Night Market |
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The Maesa Elephant Camp, where unemployed logging elephants are treated like royalty. This amazing elephant is creating a self-portrait. |
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| Bath time at the elephant camp |
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| Will this little guy grow up to be a famous artist? |
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The highest spot in |
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Not much of a view from the top on a rainy day |
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| The Wachirathan Waterfalls (flooding how many cities below?) |
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A Mong (mountain tribe) market |
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| A rice field in a Karen (mountain tribe) village |
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| A clown or two |
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The Queen's “chedi” on |
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View of the King’s chedi |
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Damage from the heavy rains. Some of the mountain road suffered, too! |
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Some of our travelling companions and the valley below |
Not shown are photographs of hundreds of friendly, smiling faces of the people of Chiang Mai. Thank you for your hospitality!
