Travel to Thailand

By: Nomadrick Chapo
The Buddhist Temples in Thailand are simply impressive. This is particularly true of Wat Doi Suthep, the mountain temple outside Chang Mai.

Wat Doi Suthep

More or less located on the top of Suthep Mountain, Wat Doi Suthep is a day trip from the city. You’ll notice I didn’t write an “easy” day trip. When the Thais build a mountain temple, they’re serious about the mountain aspect.

Suthep Mountain is large as is the road winding up it. I had planned to rent a mountain bike and ride up to it early in the morning. While sitting in a beverage establishment the previous evening, the bartender had to take a minute to himself to stop laughing after revealed my plans. I wasn’t sure if this was because I was actually in the establishment or because of the road up the mountain.

The next morning I was a little less enthusiastic about my riding plans, so much so I rented a moped. Off I went and, after a few wrong turns, I was headed up the mountain. I felt a bit guilty as I passed a few people riding bikes up the hill. As I putted up the hill, I thought the exercise would have done me well. Up I went enjoying the view. And up I went and went and went. If there had been any turns off the road, I would’ve sworn I had taken a wrong turn.

It turns out the ride from Chang Mai to the Wat was something like 22 miles. All of it up hill at a grade that would get a whimper out of Tour de France rider. The people riding up the hill were definitely not professional riders. It was like watching a progression of misery. The higher you went, the more unhappy the looked.

Pulling into the parking lot for the Wat was like pulling into a disaster zone. Twenty or so bikers were sprawled out on the ground in various states of agony. Some appeared to have ridden to a soft looking spot and just fallen over. Most were saying things like, “Never again.”

I spent an hour up at Wat Doi Suthep overlooking the valley below. It is definitely worth a day trip from Chang Mai. Just don’t try to mountain bike to it. I never saw any of the wounded in the parking lot actually come into the Wat!
About the Author
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for student travel, family vacations and adventure travel. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles.

Published At: www.Isnare.com

By: Nomadrick Chapo
Chang Mai is the largest city in the north of Thailand and well worth a trip. In many ways, Chang Mai is similar to Bangkok, but without the mass of people.

Chang Mai

Chang Mai is perhaps the most serene big city I have ever had the privilege of visiting. Located at the foot of a large mountain, the city nicely meshes older areas with modern conveniences. Serene Buddhist temples stand only a few blocks from bustling universities. Much of the city can be walked, but moped rentals are cheap and plentiful. Street markets are common, but the hustle and bustle of Bangkok is not.

The night market is perhaps the most noted thing about Chang Mai. Located in the eastern side of the city, the night market runs about a mile down the length of street dwarfed by malls, restaurants, stores selling art and spas. The stalls on the side of the road tend to sell cheap touristy products, but you should check them out anyway to sample some of the food items. Thais seem to take great humor from cooking anything they can get their hands on so long as they can gross out the tourist. Yep, you can munch on fried roaches, spiders, crickets and so on. For a good laugh, one can hang out around the stalls and watch tourist try the delicacies. It’s like the show Fear Factor without the washboard stomachs and breast implants.

To find the “good stuff” at the night market, you should head off the street and up into the open air malls. As you move towards the back of the malls, the quality of the products goes up dramatically. You’ll find artist not only hocking their wares, but also creating them before your eyes. There is some serious talent in the back of those malls.

If silk is your material of choice, Chang Mai is a good place to purchase it in bulk. Do not buy it at the night market. Instead, ask your hotel for a recommendation to a shop. Prices are low, but quality is high.

Traveler’s Tip

Guidebooks will tell you the best way to get to Chang Mai is to take an overnight train from Bangkok. Liars! Flying domestically in Thailand is very cheap. A one-way flight from Bangkok to Chang Mai will run you about $40US. There is no need to book ahead. Just walk into the airport in Bangkok and buy a ticket on the spot. If you prefer to spend the night in a bunk on a train, knock yourself out. Just keep in mind Thais tend to have smaller body masses than Westerners. Much smaller.

Of all the cities in Thailand, Chang Mai is my favorite. Yes, even more so than Bangkok.
About the Author
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for student travel, family vacations and adventure travel. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles.

Published At: www.Isnare.com