We visited a number of wats (temples) in Chiang Mai during our time there. Most shortly after our arrival as people were keen to show them to use (they are important to the people and culture) and because we wanted to dive into the culture right away. The first we visited was probably the biggest, Doi Suthep is a prominent wat situated at the top of the mountain that overlooks the city of Chiang Mai. We hired a driver for the day and drove up the mountain to the base of the wat.
Before we climbed to the wat (309 stairs), we stopped for a refreshing smoothie. They were AMAZING! Best smoothie we have ever had! You just choose a cup with the combination of fresh fruits you want for your smoothie (notice the assorted cups behind Alia's head) and the vendor blends the contents of your cup with ice and coconut milk (the white pointy things to Alia's right are fresh coconuts). He then returns the slushy goodness to your cup and for about $1 each you have a treat so tasty that it makes a memory! YUM!
This buddah statue was near the base of the wat as well. It was HUGE! The entrance to the wat sits right on the end of a switchback so the area is very congested with foot and vehicle traffic. The statue face directly out to the center of the road and is the main things you see as you drive up. Impressive!
Here we are about a third of the way to the top. Uh-oh! Smoothies are already half gone!
Little girl in traditional dress on the stairs to the wat. You could pay her coins to have her pose with you for a picture.
Paul and the big boys inside the wat.
Look at this cute little monkey!!
All of us by the centerpiece of the wat. [Alia still stands like a dancer!] Relaxing in the shade inside the wat.
My A and my Z...IN A TEMPLE IN THAILAND!!!! The normalcy of seeing these two together like this set against a backdrop of anything but normal makes this a really fun photo for me. Sometimes the crazy coolness of this whole adventure just hits me hard! This pic exemplifies that.
Alia near the huge bells that buddhists ring to ward off evil spirits.
This is a different wat in Chiang Mai. It was extrememely ornate and the old monk sitting off to the right is actually a wax figure of a beloved monk who died.
The younger monks all sat in the middle of the wat listen to teachings being read to them.
Spiritual habits say a lot about a person. The Thai people are very serious about their religion and spirituality. It plays out in their everyday life in their calm and peaceful demeanors. Do you live out your faith? Can people around you see that you are serious about your spirituality? I challenge you to make it so.
