Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and a whole lot more.

We had a Wat filled weekend...well just the first day. First up, Wat Chiang Man. Here is where I learned about the 8 different Buddha poses...one for each day of the week (2 for Wednesday). Next, was Wat Chedi Luang, which at one time had the tallest padago in the northern region. Now its in ruins.

Wat Phra Singh, was next, it is one of the towns oldest temples. And finally, we went to what is probably Chiang Mai's most famous landmark: Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. I climbed the 304 steps to the top while my mom took a funicular up. Here we saw panoramic views of Chiang Mai.
After all the wats we headed to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs. Here was saw the "boilegg" hot spring...which literally had dozens of people boiling baskets of eggs in a pool of naturally boiling hot water (softboil 3 minutes, half done 9 minutes, welldone 15 minutes). There was a stream of the water for people to soak their feet in. Closest to the "boilegg" pool was the hottest but as you walked downstream the water cooled off. My mom and I soaked our poor puppy dog feet in the hot spring stream. Then had a half hour foot massage. Afterwards, we headed to a Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar (and bought lots of goodies).
The next day we started out early as we were heading 3 hours north to Chiang Rai. First stop was for some coffee at Cabbages and Condoms resort and restaurant (what? yeah...). Officially the first stop of the day was Wat Rung Kun (an all white temple). This is a relatively new Wat (additional buildings are still being built). We then headed for The Golden Triangle. The golden triangle is where Burma, Thailand and Laos meet.

*An important message for those that get car sick easily...don't do it.
Next we headed to a border town, Mae Sai and visited a Jade factory. This is also the northern most part of Thailand.

On Sunday, we took a scenic drive to Doi Mae Salong where there are various hilltribes. We were able to see the Akha and Padaung tribe women. The Padaung women are also known as the "longneck tribe". They wear these heavy brass rings around their necks. Legend says they wear the rings for protection from tigers. I was in complete awe of these women. At around the age of 5, girls start to wear the rings.

And finally we took a local longtail boat up the Maekok River before driving back to Chiang Mai for our flight back to Bangkok.