Journey to Tha Ton

Before we left Chiang Dao I walked up to the temple at the top of the road from the Nest. Geordie, for some reason, did not want to tackle the 510 steps. But hey there was a sign at the 301th step that said the rest were easier. 

The temple here was started by a very famous monk who's funeral was attended by the King! There were the usual Buddhas and a museum with some artifacts from the monk, including his false teeth. Here a few pictures. 

This is in fact Doi Chiang Dao. Doi means mountain. 

This temple was at the foot of the steps. 

And this is an interior shot 

On the way down I ran into an avid flock of birders who were quite excited by the thrush sized grey green birds in the trees. I saw them too, bu I didn't have my fancy spotting scope. 

We left Chiang Dao Nest in style travelling with our new found friend, Simon, a traveller from Ireland, manager of the Irish band The 7 Kevins, who are performing in Cambodia. Simon was taking a break and had a car, so instead of travelling by song thaew and bus, we enjoyed the more interesting ride.  We travelled up to the top of Doi Ang Khang, billed as a little Switzerland and quite cool.

Simon and Geordie. 

Here are local women at the market at Ang Khang. I took this photo because of the swift - the object holding the yarn she was winding into large balls. 

We had lunch in Fang at this delightful restaurant.  Soup with bits, including fish sausage, pork, liver and one small bit of intestine in my soup 

Here's what the area in the back area looked. Lovely don't you think?

We continued down the hill to a hot spring in a national park. There is a picture of me with my swimsuit but it's not fit for publication. The area was dotted with these lava rocks. Simon and I got a lesson in local politics from a Thai man who was not happy with the protestors in Bangkok.  

We finally reached Tha Ton where we stayed three nights, the last in a very nice hotel and Geordie bought two silk shirts - cheaper that way of course. He's standing in the lobby. 

We also bought jackets which we were glad to have for our departure. That will be discussed more in the next blog post

In the evening after dinner we found a couple of men launching a paper lantern. Beautiful to see. 

The town had several temples on hills surrounding the town. We walked up to one and found a special ceremony happening attended by local hill tribe people called Lahu, dressed in their finest. 

This was a huge Buddha even higher uphill. 

Seven headed naga protecting the Buddha. 

Lahu women. 

And many young monks. 

And a truck load heading home. 

On to Chiang Rai next.