On to Chiang Rai

After three days in Tha Ton we needed to move on. After saying goodbye to Simon we immediately met a new friend, Mario from Malta. We've been hanging out with him since and departed with him on our private charter river boat to journey to Chiang Rai on the Mae Kok. (Mae means river so you can't really say the Mae Kok River without repeating yourself.) As I mentioned, we bought jackets in Tha Ton which we were so happy to have since the journey was cold as we travelled by the long tailed boat on the river. That's our pilot behind us. 

The pilot was excellent at knowing exactly where to steer the boat. We made some wide turns to avoid tree snags or shallow areas and we even shot a few small rapids. This is what our boat looked like from the side, but unlike the scheduled river boats we didn't have to sit on the floor with the boat's sides as our seat backs. Those van seats were comfortable. 

This man was working in a field along the river bank. 

And we saw these lovely water buffalo. 

We stopped at what might have been called a Lahu village. We saw only three people who did ask if we wanted to share their meal. We said no as politely as possible. One disturbing note was this sign at the landing area. Just read the third line in English to see what I mean  Our friend Kurt might be able to tell us if the same offer is in the Thai section. 

We also stopped at an Elephant camp.  It's billed as a conservation camp, but the elephants provide rides for the tourists. I purchased a bag of bananas and sugar cane for the giants. They were eager to enjoy them, but some of the elephants were obviously under a lot of stress. When not nibbling from my hand, the one on the right spent his entire time nodding back and forth. I do hope they are getting good care. 

This photo is for Ahmed. The mosque is across the street from the market in Chiang Rai. 

We toured temples yesterday. The large bellied Buddhas are apparently symbols of wisdom 

This one and a number of other statues inthe temple museum are carved from white jade. 

You mar remember a jade Buddha I described as being made from Canadian jade in Chiang Mai. I was wrong. It's this one. The original was in fact found at this Wat in Chiang Rai and moved to Bangkok much later. It was discovered when lightning struck a chedi at the temple sometime around 1437 splitting it and revealing the jade figure. This one was carved by a Chinese master carver and replicates the original although it is 0.1 cm shorter. And this one is easier to see since it is not placed as high in its temple as that in Bangkok. 

This artist was working on the murals in one of the temples we visited. 

And this Buddha graced another. 

These Chinese horoscope symbols are on a large bell in the temple yard. Geordie was born in the year of the Goat and I was born in the year of the Tiger. 

Today we visited the incredible White Temple which is on a site 13 km from Chiang Rai. Although it appears to be made of ice or perhaps royal icing, it is in fact covered in white stucco and mirrored glass. It is the vision of one man and was only begun in 1997. Yes, that recently. Inside where pictures were not allowed, the artist has painted the walls and included some figures you may have heard of - Keanu Reeves as Neo in the Matrix, Superman, Spiderman, Elvis, Harry Potter, and even characters from the movie Despicable Me. According to Mario who eavesdropped on a tour guide, these characters are here to tell you that there are no superheroes in real life to get you to Nirvana. 

This fierce creature guards the entrance. 

There were lots of monks taking selfies as well as regular photos. 

This tower will likely be adorned later. 

In the workshop, finishing touches we're being made to several carvings. 

I purchased a silver coloured symbol to hang from a chedi to leave our mark on the temple. 

These are two other Chinese horoscope characters realized this time in the stucco and mirror finish. 

I leave you with these three images. This was the only building on site which was golden. The second picture will tell you what the building is for (read the words below the images in picture two) and the third shows the building in use. 

I don't think we will ever get to use such luxurious facilities ever again.