The morning after the night before is quite frankly terrible but what a great night. We have a lie in for the first time in we don’t remember when. We drag ourselves to breakfast and attempt to eat and hydrate.
The day is, in all honesty, a write off as we shuttle between the sunloungers and our bijou pool that’s a bit chilly. It’s 30 degrees so it seriously does the job of cooling us off.
We have a fantastic supermarket, Rimping, about 5 minutes from our hotel. It’s a cross between M&S and Waitrose and we find some great sushi, beers and some salted snacks that get us back on our feet again. We leave the hotel and walk up to the Night Market not I hasten to add in search of retail therapy but purely because we must go for a walk after a day of laying prone on a lounger!!
It’s only the second hangover we’ve had whilst travelling and it has taken some time to recover. We retire to bed it’s been a ridiculously lazy day.
We wake Friday morning refreshed and eager to explore Chiang Mai. JP meets us at our hotel and we negotiate the hire of Songthaew – red truck taxi, very similar to the Jeepneys in the Philippines – to take us up to Doi Suthep. JP also had a terrible hangover yesterday which really didn’t aid his continuing recovery – sorry!!
Wat Doi Suthep is perched on a forested hill overlooking Chiang Mai, about 15 kilometers from the city center. The winding road, flanked by lush greenery, sets the tone for the serene experience awaiting us at the top.
Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of Northern Thailand, is renowned for its rich history, vibrant traditions, and stunning temples. Among its many treasures, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep —commonly referred to as Doi Suthep — stands out as one of the most iconic landmarks.
Upon arriving at the base of the temple, we’re struck by the large Naga staircase, flanked by two elaborately decorated serpent-like figures that guide visitors up 306 steps to the temple entrance. Climbing these steps required a bit of effort, but it feels like a symbolic journey, adding to the sense of pilgrimage as we reach the top. There is a lift but we all decline this option.
We start by exploring the Temple Grounds and admiring the view over Chiang Mai. Its hazy but we can certainly get an idea of the scale of the city.
We enter the temple complex, and it feels like we’re entering a world of spirituality and the most magnificent beauty. The centrepiece is the golden chedi (stupa), which glimmers under the sunlight against a cobalt blue sky. It’s truly an awe-inspiring sight.
Encircling the chedi are intricately decorated shrines, Buddha statues, and prayer wheels.
Personally, I could’ve stayed for hours my camera working overtime but its time to leave and we take a slow walk back down the Naga steps stopping for a cold drink at the bottom. JP locates our Songthaew and the driver suggests that we stop at another temple on the way down that JP has never visited. We’re joined by a young (mid 20s) traveller, Michelle from Malaysia, who tried to hire our taxi. She joins us for our next stop and she’s friendly and engaging as we swap travel and life tales.
Wat Pha Lat, meaning ‘Monastery at the Sloping Rock,’ is a serene Buddhist temple nestled amidst the lush forests on the slopes of Doi Suthep. Established in 1355 during the reign of King Kuena of Lanna, it originally served as a resting place for pilgrims journeying to the more prominent Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Unlike many temples in the region, Wat Pha Lat is renowned for its tranquil ambiance, intricate carvings, and naga-flanked stairways that seamlessly blend with the natural surroundings. A stream flows through the temple grounds, enhancing its peaceful atmosphere.
Wat Pha Lat offers a unique blend of natural beauty and spiritual tranquility, in complete contrast to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It’s been very special to visit two contrasting temples.
We proceed back into town, dropping Michelle off along the way and pop into the Red Lion for a couple of beers before saying goodbye to JP ans thanking him for a great day. He’s still recovering from his operation and needs to rest. We walk back to our hotel and go for a swim. For dinner we chose a restaurant on the river just up from the hotel. It’s full of locals, and the waiter is worried that the food won’t be to our liking. He needn’t have worried, it was delicious with an excellent level of heat. We sleep well it’s been a fab day.
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