Chiang Mai 1996   

The rose of the North and second largest city of the country is surrounded by a spectacular mountain landscape. To the most beautiful temple of Thailand, the on 1600 m height, leads up a splendour stair with over 300 steeply stages. But the strain is worthwhile itself, because it is the splendour-fullest temple we ever saw. Nearly everything is glittering in pure gold and the meditative peace of this place is marvellous. You think you are in another world.

The Buddhism here is everywhere represented. Nearly at each corner of the streets there is a glint Wat and you can see monks in their oranges robs.

Chiang May is also the centre of arts and handicrafts, umbrellas, silk, silver and wood carving articles are manufactured here. It is a little paradise, to buy souvenirs. We also bought one of the artful painted umbrellas and took them at home. In addition you can also buy any other primitive “tourist scrap”. On the omnipresent night markets you can buy all kinds of shoddy goods, too and at the same time you can try the spicy food of the typical Thai kitchen.

But we preferred the restaurants at the river Ping, where we sat in a wonderful garden restaurant at the river and enjoyed the delicious food.
Our trip on the back of an elephant belongs to our vacation highlights of the North. The giant animal swung us safely on its back along the beautiful river landscape and small jungle paths.