21st February Chaing Mai VIP night bus to Bangkok 22nd

Return to Chiang Mai after Laos and visit Wat Jedee Luang chapel

Originally built in 1401 was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545 and was restored at a cost of millions of Baht in 1991

Elephants stand proudly on the temple , some were destroyed by the earthquake and have not been replaced  

This monk was an extremely beautiful monk and many people took him to be Buddha so in order to stop the misunderstanding ha became very fat .

A beautiful golden reclining Buddah in an open temple behind the original building 

A ceremony taking place at Wat Jedee Luang.

Chinese New Year , many temples had been decorated for the occasion. 

The gardens  are very important around the temples and are looked after by the monks.  

Just on the inner South West part of Chiang Mai there is a lovely park where you can sit and meditate, run, walk, and even have a Thai massage for only 140Baht.  

La La,  Julie's massage lady who fixed a muscular problem in her left leg that she had been trailing around since a bad bike ride in Bali . 

Goes without saying that Paul really enjoyed his massage too ! 

Our VIP bus with Sombat tours from Chiang Mai to Bangkok , screen in the back of the seat, with a choice of English speaking films,  snacks and a meal provided on route. 

Ju making herself comfortable 
for the journey. 








After arriving in Bangkok and settling into our hostel Baan Nampetch :very clean , well placed and reasonably priced.   (Address: 402/2 ซ.วัดตรี. ตรอกเกษมศรี ถ.ประชาธิปไตย อ.พระนคร กรุงเทพมหานคร 10200 Phone:081 812 8809)

We went on our 2nd visit to Bangkok, starting with the Golden mountain and staying so long that we didn't have time to visit another one this day. 

A little bit of history for you 

A reproduction of the Golden mountain 

The progression of Buddhism through Asia

There are many statues and bells along the path up to the top of the Golden mountain. 

One of the few Pergolas or temples where they ask you to keep your shoes on. Buddha awaits us on the inside just before arriving at the top. 

These ribbons are ready to be purchased for a special ceremony which involves wrapping the pergola up and lots of chanting and praying. 

We were invited to join the ceremony, we were given a rose each and some medicine in order to over them to buddha. in offering some medicine , Buddha will give you the off rend back by keeping you in good health.  

After had to be tuch and venerated, the ribbon enveloppe the base of the temple

View over Bangkok from the Golden Mountain

A nice panorama from Golden Mountain

Statues of vultures on the path down  

A typical street food peddler which is symbolic of Asia 

We fortunately met a very nice lady on the bus who explained which stop to get off at in order to find yet another bus in the direction of Thong lor and our appartement from 3rd through to 7th March with Mel, Seb, Milo, Cecile, Gillian and Nico. 

Khaosan road, one of the very busy tourist street markets which we stumbled across by error ; we met a lot of street vendors from Miamar (Burma).  

Democracy monument Bangkok Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, Phra Nakhon District,Bangkok, 10200