[Wino]

smoker, on 10 September 2009 - 11:15 AM, said:

Is Chaing Mai worth it for us tourist wise or is it mostly just a bunch of rich Thais?

Chaing Mai is worth a visit. Loy Kratong would be a good time to visit.

[Bob]

Wino, on 25 September 2009 - 11:43 PM, said:

Chaing Mai is worth a visit. Loy Kratong would be a good time to visit.

Yes, very lovely night parade and other events; however, for the more timid, not too wise to be close to the Narawat Bridge (bridge over the Ping at the end of Taepae Road) as it seems that's the place for the local fireworks war.

[Wino]

Another place to visit in Chaing Mai is the zoo. I really enjoyed walking around and enjoying the animals and gardens. Watching the pandas at feeding time was an added treat.

[Bob]

CrazyExpat, on 10 September 2009 - 11:24 AM, said:

The most interesting ruins in the region are called Wiang Kum Kham. They are from a lively city that was washed out in a flood 700 years ago.

As I understand it (via history books and being told by Thai friends), these ruins are the vestiges of the original city where King Mengrai lived. Because of the annual flooding (the area is very close to the Ping River), King Mengrai decided to build a new city and that was the beginning of Chiangmai around 1200 AD. "Chiangmai" means "new city" in Thai.

The ruins [located about 8-10 kilometers southeast of the old (moated) city] are not in great shape and the ruins are smaller than those seen in Ayutthaya; nevertheless, very interesting to see. Here are a few photos I took in October of 2008:

First, Wat Chedi Liem. Dates from the 13th century and restoration occurred in 1912. The big stupa behind supposedly contains the remains of one of King Mengrai's wives:
 WiangKumKam014.jpg (67.92K)
Number of downloads: 1

[Bob]

Hmmm, the software copied the same photo three times.....so here's another attempt to add a couple of photos of the ruins:

Wat Pupia (like many of the other ruins in the area, was excavated rather recently - around 1985):
 WiangKumKam048.jpg (86.39K)
Number of downloads: 2

Wat E-Kang [also excavated in the 1980's, it's name stems from the species of monkey ("kang")that lived here]:
 WiangKumKam065.jpg (87.33K)
Number of downloads: 2

[Bob]

Reviewing this entire thread again, I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Wat Doi Suthep, the most famous of temples on Suthep Mountain (which is about a 30 minute drive up the mountain west of the old city). Next to the Grand Palace, it's without a doubt my favorite temple in all of Thailand. They just finished restoring the golden stupa so it now looks the same as in the fifth photo shown here (which I took a few years ago):

Main level veranda:
 MainLevelVeranda05.jpg (102.57K)
Number of downloads: 0

View from veranda (that's the airport in the middle):
 View31.jpg (129.44K)
Number of downloads: 0

Lower (main level)temple:
 Temple05.jpg (253.35K)
Number of downloads: 1

Lower level temple detail:
 TempleDetail07.jpg (307.85K)
Number of downloads: 3

Golden Stupa (upper level):
 GoldenStupa39.jpg (100.48K)
Number of downloads: 3

Some statuary on upper level:
 EmeraldBuddha18.jpg (300.29K)
Number of downloads: 3

[Noi0286]

I do not know if other tourists would do this, but I had a couple of spiritual trips to CM. And all I did was to meditate. There are a number of temples where they can teach you how to meditate. My favorite place was Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong. This temple is situated approximately 58 kilometers from the town in Chom Thong District.The temple can be dated back to the mid-1400s and houses a collection of bronze Buddha images while the secondary chapel contains a holy Buddha relic.

Meditation is a time to relax, to calm yourself down, to focus energy and mindful thought. Easier said than done. And that was why I could not do it on my own and needed help from the experts.

The temple provides accommodation and food. The experienced monks will teach you one-on-one. Why? There are loads of different styles and techniques. Your teaching monks will guide you through the way, to ensure that you understand and know how to meditate.

Please note that meditation is not about Buddhism, and it is actually suitable for anyone.

[Noi0286]

If you are into BIG CATS, I would recommend Tiger Kingdom, at Mae Rim. This place is not a zoo, rather a combination of restaurant and tiger park. There, you can play with tiger cubs and young ones.

Have fun!

[Bob]

Noi0286, on 27 September 2009 - 09:13 AM, said:

If you are into BIG CATS, I would recommend Tiger Kingdom, at Mae Rim. This place is not a zoo, rather a combination of restaurant and tiger park. There, you can play with tiger cubs and young ones.

Have fun!

If you go, I'd suggest you not go into the pen with the "adult" (actually, about 2 year old) tigers. Some tourist was mauled there earlier this year.

I went into the "baby" and "juvenile" pens and that seemingly was okay. But, when I saw one of the adult tigers yawn (showing teeth and a mouth that could encompass your entire head), I declined entering that pen.

[lvdkeyes]

I think that was a wise move. Lest we forget the Sigfried and Roy incident!

[Wino]

Bob, on 27 September 2009 - 07:26 PM, said:

If you go, I'd suggest you not go into the pen with the "adult" (actually, about 2 year old) tigers. Some tourist was mauled there earlier this year.

I went into the "baby" and "juvenile" pens and that seemingly was okay. But, when I saw one of the adult tigers yawn (showing teeth and a mouth that could encompass your entire head), I declined entering that pen.

I would think you would have a better chance of getting hurt by a playful baby or juvenile tiger. For me, I think I will stay on the outside of the pen.

[Beer Chang]

Wino, on 29 September 2009 - 12:24 PM, said:

I would think you would have a better chance of getting hurt by a playful baby or juvenile tiger. For me, I think I will stay on the outside of the pen.

I'm more comfortable playing with the elephants.

[Wino]

Beer Chang, on 29 September 2009 - 12:36 PM, said:

I'm more comfortable playing with the elephants.

I have seen some elephant stunts that are frightening, as well. The elephant show at Pattaya's Nong Nooch (I think that is the name) asks for audience participation. The person lies on the ground and the elephant puts his leg on your chest. Not something I would do but a lot of people volunteer.

[Bob]

I've seen several television shows (titled something like "When Animals Go Nuts" or the like) showing incidents involving injuries/deaths occurring at zoos, animal shows, etc. I've seen several clips showing elephants going nuts and stomping/goring people and one of the clips, I'd swear, looks a hell of a lot like the elephant place just northwest of Chiangmai (I've been there a few times).

The trained elephants are normally docile, of course, and attacks are rare; however, given their size, obviously a good idea to not mess with one that's pissed off.

[lvdkeyes]

We were in Florida's Lion Country Safari many years ago. It's a park where you drive through and all the animals are free to roam as that wish. We came upon a herd of elephants on a small hill beside the road. We stopped the car and a friend rolled his window down about 3 inches. A baby elephant came to the car and was running his trunk along the open window. My friend was playing with it with his finger, saying, "Here, elephant elephant." The papa came down the hill and put his tusks against the front wheel of the car and gave a gentle, but firm push. The car rocked and scared the hell out of us all. Papa took the baby and went back up the hill. I have no doubt that the huge papa could have easily flipped us over. Luckily, he just gave us a warning, "Don't fuck with my kid."

[Bob]

Speaking of that, lvdkeyes, maybe time for a little more humor. Not sure where I got this photo years ago:  Gogo_elephants.jpg (100.11K)
Number of downloads: 6

[Wino]

Bob, on 30 September 2009 - 03:55 AM, said:

Speaking of that, lvdkeyes, maybe time for a little more humor. Not sure where I got this photo years ago: Gogo_elephants.jpg

Elephants need some good lovin' too.