Old Town of Chiang Mai and onto Chiang Khong

After the elephant high from the day before, and the trip planning the day before that, we really never got to see the Old Town of Chiang Mai. That was our goal for our last day in Chiang Mai. 

But first, breakfast. We found not having it provided makes for a rougher morning because first we have to get ready for the day, then we have to go find food at a decent price. We thought we helped ourselves out by checking out menus the night before only to find out that restaurants aren't open at 8 am on Sunday. So, onto 7 Eleven we went. 

It was pretty decent for packaged food. At least we could keep the 'hanger' at bay. 

First stop on our Chiang Mai was Wat Chedi Luang. There used to be an emerald Buddha inside, but it's now houses in Bagkok. In its place is a jade replica. 

At this point, Mer was startled as among the statutes sat a real monk. He was so still she didn't notice him. 

Please note the typical offending ethnicity and gender. Keep those adam's apples covered, gentlemen.

Outside this wat was a lot of GOLD. 

It was also here we used the toilet. Hey America, Thailand figured out how to keep everyone safe in the bathroom!

I don't remember the name of this temple-but it was Mer's favorite. (It's been a busy few days of travel with not much opportunity to blog.)

After the last monk that scared her, she was more cautious at this one-a bit apprehensive if you will. 

After 5 minutes she realized they were statues of famous monks. 

We should be proud of her not taking a selfie with the monk statues-although she did debate it. 

Next up was Wat Phra Singh. This one allowed pictures of their myriad of Buddha. 

They also had a beautiful display outside that, I believe, corresponded to a candlelight vigil we saw depicted inside. 

Also in this neighborhood was a sign for a post office in English. Although we were near the Phra Singh temple, 

I could only imagine the mail carriers being burdened by letters from the Grammar Police. "Ma'am, that's not you're pen nor is it there pen. I'm going to need you to fill out this form for our phrasing office using my pen."

We saw the Three Kings monument. 

En route to our last stop, we stumbled upon another wat (you can't throw a stone without hitting one in Old Town.) 

It was smaller and actively burning a lot of incense, but they also had a saffron fabric out for writing messages on. 

Combining her deep Christian faith with elements she's learned of local Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Mer wrote an inspirational message of peace and hope for us all. 

I'm all truth, any message I thought of included sacrilege of one kind or another, so I was proud of Meredith for not betraying her faith without stepping on Eastern toes. Good job, dear!

Finally, we made it to our last religious site, Wat Chiang Man. It was the first ever Wat built by the founder of Chiang Mai. There were housed some famously old Buddhas here. 

As well as the walls held intricate and (obviously new) detailed works from Eastern classics. 

And there were elephants. 

Nearing the noon hour, it was time for lunch. Although we got distracted by the delicious Satutday market the night before, we had previously circled Ratans's Kitchen as a place to try. Our morning touring led us close to where it was. 

Mer had the khao soi, a thick broth of curry and coconut cream with soft and crispy egg noodles. 

We then started to walk back to our hostel, but first had to pass the Eastern Gate to the Old Town. 

We also passed a multitude of other wats that we only saw from the street. 

Finally, we got back to our place, collected our bags, and then headed out for transportation to the distant Arcade Bus Station. 

First, a word about a new form of transportation here in Thailand, the sorngtaaou (also called rot daang.) In addition to the tuk tuk, these are red or yellow pickup trucks with a covering over truck bed and two parallel benches along the length. 

We hailed our first one to take us to the bus station. 

Once we got to the terminal our bus was already boarding. It was one of the nicer buses we had taken so far on our trip. 

As the bus indicates, we were heading for Chiang Khong, about 6 hours east on the Thai border with Laos. The trip was notably easy as we were both able to read, blog, or take a nap. There was a short stop in Chiang Rai to drop off passengers and pick up new ones. Then we returned to the road at nightfall came. 

At 8:30, as scheduled, the bus then dropped us off in Chiang Khong. According to our maps, our hostel was only 5 blocks away. Noting the lack of taxis, tuk tuks, or sorngtaaou, we decided to walk it ("This is why we backpack," Mer said. "So we don't have to drag suitcases.")

Being in a border town at night is never ideal. I have to say that Chiang Khong might be the best border town I've been in. And our hostel, the Chiang Khong Garden Inn Resident, was pretty nice for the border. We actually had a shower curtain and the softest pillows yet on our trip. Also, there was a 7 Eleven right next door. At night at the border, it provided the best dinner money could buy. 

In the morning, Laos!