Wat Phra Singh (full name Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn) is located in the western part of the old city centre of Chiang Mai, which is contained within the city walls and moat. The main entrance, which is guarded by Singhs (lions), is situated at the end of the main street (Rachadamnoen road) of Chiang Mai. TheContinue reading “Wat Phra Singh”
Monthly Archives: February 2014
Wat Boopparam / Wat Buppharam
Next temple on the snap happy tour was Wat Boopparam / Wat Buppharam. A zany, colourful affair close to the southern side of Thapae Road. Not quite sure how Donald Duck fits in with Buddhist teachings, but he is there! Along with a veritable menagerie of animals including a camel and other mythical guardian animals.Continue reading “Wat Boopparam / Wat Buppharam”
Wat Gate Karam
A bit of potted history for you now folks! In the late 1800S, King Chulalongkorn made a deal with British tradesmen allowing them access to the Siam kingdom’s huge teak and rosewood forests. He also allowed them to live in Chiang Mai. However there was one condition – that they lived on the east sideContinue reading “Wat Gate Karam”
In market heaven!!
The Chiang Mai Sunday walking market. I am in heaven, Neil may have found his own personal hell. . . . The start of the epic four hour market trek. Neil still looks chipper at this point. The market stretches the length of Th Ratchadamnoen from Pratu Tha Phae to Wat Phra Singh as wellContinue reading “In market heaven!!”
Colourful Chiang Mai
After waving goodbye to frantic Bangkok we hopped on a plane north to the cooler climate of Chiang Mai. A city full of temples and the best markets in Thailand . . .woo hoo!! We stayed in the fantastic Sakorn Residence. Set out of the centre of town, about 20 minutes walk from the marketsContinue reading “Colourful Chiang Mai”
Workers, good luck and even more food
The markets are a hive of activity but without the constant, never ending efforts of a legion of workers, nothing would be done. From skinning to cleaning, steaming, frying and cooking anything that grows, crawls, slithers, walks or flops about, this army of stall holders work from dawn till dusk. Even more market pictures captureContinue reading “Workers, good luck and even more food”
Details of Chinese temple art
A lot of Chinese art is deeply symbolic with particular motifs cropping up time and time again – for example the gnarled tree above, which may represent the unconquerable spirit of old age. Beautifully portrayed inanimate subjects like landscapes such as above, are also rich in symbolism, not just there as pretty background: the rocks andContinue reading “Details of Chinese temple art”
Amulet market, Wat Pho
One of the things on my to do list when I returned to Bangkok was to roam through one of the charming amulet markets. I got the chance during our river cruise day when we disembarked close to Wat Pho. A long tree lined street with lots of sellers, mainly sat cross legged on theContinue reading “Amulet market, Wat Pho”
Bangkok street food and nibble vendors!
One of the commonest sights in Bangkok, apart from the endless massage shops, are the proliferation of street food sellers. On every street in long, steaming, fragrant lines, hidden beneath underpasses, knocking on your car window, running up to your tuc tuc, squeezed into every conceivable nook and cranny you will find them. Whether itContinue reading “Bangkok street food and nibble vendors!”
Gorgeous Chinese temple architecture in Bangkok
As you mosey around the tiny hidden back streets of Chinatown you can’t help but virtually trip over ornate temples. Whether they are peeping from courtyards or standing bolshie and brash on the street corner. Chinese temples host a wealth of decorative flourishes, from the detailed painting on the entrance gates to the exquisite, fantasticalContinue reading “Gorgeous Chinese temple architecture in Bangkok”