The sleeper train . . . I think it should be renamed the 'napping train' or the train for people (of a certain age) who remember making forts under kitchen tables. We have two berths in second class and like most, if not all of the couples on board, we share the bottom bunk. There was no way I was climbing up to the top bunk! Each berth has a curtain which slides across its length, and it felt just like being in a fort . . . but unlike our play forts of old, there was no handy kitchen nearby. Instead we had the roving purveyor of food and soft drinks.
We've learned (the hard way) to always bring food on a train journey of more than an hour or two. And we did this time, fortunately. On-board food was ridiculously expensive which we learned when we paid 60 baht (about $2) for a minuscule cup of coffee which we absolutely had to have early in the morning. I think we napped but there was definitely very little sleeping.
Chiang Mai . . . the second largest city in Thailand and frequently cited as the one place in the world travelers would choose to live. High praise! We're eager to sample its delights and after a refreshing nap at our lovely hotel in the old city, we set off. Chiang Mai is in northern Thailand, not far from the border with Myanmar (formerly Burma). The weather is mild, the mountain setting picturesque, and the people lovely and friendly. The old city is actually inside a stone-walled square and remarkably serene - in fact it has a village feel although everything is an easy walk and our street is quiet. We hear song birds.
The city is filled with temples and I mean filled! There seems to be one on every street. Thailand is 98% Buddhist and it's not uncommon to see long columns of robed monks walking everywhere. Our first excursion we come across some sort of parade, funeral procession? We're not sure what we're seeing but it involves music, a big elephant float, and lots and lots of monks.
He appeared to be the honoree of this procession.
I have no idea what was on this cart but there were a lot of flowers!
And a lot of monks following it. . .
And a lot of women (and a couple of men) holding fast to a long rope.
Followed by a fabulous animated elephant float, the top of which had to be lowered so as to not take out the power lines.
Reassembled, the elephant makes its way down the main street, its trunk moving slowly from side to side.
Accompanied by musicians on the bed of a dump truck.
A couple of young monks, watching with us.
We're told that every young Thai male must spend time studying with the monks. I think one of the first lessons must be learning how to wrap this huge length of saffron cloth into a robe-like garment around themselves (I couldn't help but think of Indian women and their saris). Did I mention that there are very strict rules about women and their proximity to monks? We've seen signs that instruct women to not sit on the same bench as a monk, never sit above them, and don't touch them or their garment . . . I need to learn more about Buddhism. But first, I think dinner and another nap is on the agenda.
We've learned (the hard way) to always bring food on a train journey of more than an hour or two. And we did this time, fortunately. On-board food was ridiculously expensive which we learned when we paid 60 baht (about $2) for a minuscule cup of coffee which we absolutely had to have early in the morning. I think we napped but there was definitely very little sleeping.
Chiang Mai . . . the second largest city in Thailand and frequently cited as the one place in the world travelers would choose to live. High praise! We're eager to sample its delights and after a refreshing nap at our lovely hotel in the old city, we set off. Chiang Mai is in northern Thailand, not far from the border with Myanmar (formerly Burma). The weather is mild, the mountain setting picturesque, and the people lovely and friendly. The old city is actually inside a stone-walled square and remarkably serene - in fact it has a village feel although everything is an easy walk and our street is quiet. We hear song birds.
The city is filled with temples and I mean filled! There seems to be one on every street. Thailand is 98% Buddhist and it's not uncommon to see long columns of robed monks walking everywhere. Our first excursion we come across some sort of parade, funeral procession? We're not sure what we're seeing but it involves music, a big elephant float, and lots and lots of monks.
He appeared to be the honoree of this procession.
I have no idea what was on this cart but there were a lot of flowers!
And a lot of monks following it. . .
And a lot of women (and a couple of men) holding fast to a long rope.
Followed by a fabulous animated elephant float, the top of which had to be lowered so as to not take out the power lines.
Reassembled, the elephant makes its way down the main street, its trunk moving slowly from side to side.
Accompanied by musicians on the bed of a dump truck.
A couple of young monks, watching with us.
We're told that every young Thai male must spend time studying with the monks. I think one of the first lessons must be learning how to wrap this huge length of saffron cloth into a robe-like garment around themselves (I couldn't help but think of Indian women and their saris). Did I mention that there are very strict rules about women and their proximity to monks? We've seen signs that instruct women to not sit on the same bench as a monk, never sit above them, and don't touch them or their garment . . . I need to learn more about Buddhism. But first, I think dinner and another nap is on the agenda.
