Chiang Mai

An overnight sleeper took me north to Chiang Mai. Copying my co-passengers I scaled the narrow ladders and popped into my curtained pod and snoozed away the miles. 

A few days soaking up the city which despite its popularity with tourists has retained plenty of charm.

The walls of Chang Mai still encircle the old city 

Within the concentration of Wats is high

Some with strict rules

Some more understandable than others 

Treated myself to a Thai Massage. Not for the feint of heart but good, eventually, for tired legs. 

Beautiful gilded wood carvings dating from 1819 at Wat Duang Di atop a monastic library

Gorgeous doors to add to the trips collection

Intriguing glimpses of burnished statues seemed around every corner

As did images of his majesty

Whose ubiquity was only bested by the buddha himself

Walking streets as the sun dipped

Statues continued to peer our from gilded rooms as night fell

Learning some equivalent aphorisms over dinner 

Updating the blog at an internet cafe

Throwing some shapes

Saying farewell the next day to the well trammelled canals