Wanderings around Chiang Mai

We spent nearly an entire day in transit because Air Asia canceled our early morning direct flight from Ubon to Chiang Mai, leaving us with no other option but to fly from Ubon back to Bangkok, then Bangkok to Chiang Mai. 

Once we arrived in Chiang Mai, we headed straight for our boutique hotel/art gallery, the Jangmuang Hotel.  Our room was surprisingly lovely - a two-bedroom suite with kitchen and private balcony, decorated with colorful pillows, lanterns and bedcovers.

In Chiang Mai, we managed to do quite a lot of sightseeing and shopping over the course of our four days and four nights -- so much so that we lost our hired driver after our first day due to "sickness"!  (We suspect that he had not bargained for my sister's action packed schedule, which involved locating hidden shopping lanes, organic farmer's markets and research laboratories (where she worked during her internship)).

We visited a few wats.

1. Wat Chedi Luang:

 

The bells were just begging to be rung!

2. Wat Phra Sing:

3. Wat Suan Dok:

candid shot of the family

always take your shoes off before entering a wat

big, beautiful drums

 4. Wat Umong (very unusual because the temple is built underground, with tunnels and caves)

beautiful chickens at Wat Umong

On our second day in Chiang Mai, we also went to see Wat Phrathat doi Suthep, probably the most famous temple in Chiang Mai.  It's located in the hills, a dizzying 30 minute drive from the city center.

We did some shopping.

1. At the Hmong lane in town, where vendors sell all kinds of incredibly beautiful, colorful bags and handicrafts.  We stocked up on pillowcases, bags, key chains and tapestries.

2. At the night markets, where we scored some (more) amazing Thai pants.  You can never have enough.

We saw a ladyboy show.

For the price of a drink, we watched some dancers and singers on stage who danced to some great hits, namely "Crazy in Love" and "One, Two, Three."  I was floored by all aspects of the show.  There were so many (elaborate) costume changes, and they were such good (and enthusiastic) dancers.  They also had really nice legs...