Saturday, January 10, 2015  The Rain Subsides, Part 2: Wat Srisupan

After a short time at Wat Nantharam, I headed out to find Wat Srisupan, the Silver Temple. I have been there before, but never from this direction. Instead of walking all the way up to Chiang Mai Gate, about 3/4 km, and then back down Wua Lai Road, from the map I had, it looked like I could take a shorter route. This was not a bad idea, but not a great one, either. I became a bit lost, as the roads did not seems to match the map very well. The locals here do not speak English, but they recognize the name Wat Srisupan, as it is an important and distinctive temple. They would point up the road and say Soi See (small road 4) or Soi Song (small road 2) — I am glad I know the numbers in Thai. I did take Soi 4, and it led me to an internal maze of small roads…I finally came out on Wua Lai Road but was unclear whether I was north or south of Wat Srisupan. Two older Thai ladies indicated that they were going to Wat Srisupan, so we walked together up Soi 2, and I started to recognize the road.

The entrance to Wat Srisupan. Oddly, the whole sign is in English. There is almost no English inside, and the monks here speak very little English.

The side and roof of the main viharn (which opens to the north). The roof style is clearly a Lanna-style building.

The very detailed and ornate Naga at the Wat Srisupan viharn with the Yuks (giants) depicted at the top.

A side view of the ubusot at Wat Srisupan. The building is covered in three-dimensional hammered silver alloy. It is a craft native to this area, and the temple has supported the craftsman, keeping the silver relief craftsmanship alive.

The entrance to the silver-enshrined ubosot.

Some detail of the entrance.

After visiting the temples, and walking a long, long way today, I went down to Jane’s Kitchen again for an early dinner, and also to return the umbrella she had loaned me two days ago.

As the sign says, organic, fresh, all natural, sugar free, and delicious. I can attest to all.

I had something a little unusual. Jane told me that they had gotten some fresh eggs that were really delicious, and she recommended the eggs poached in tomato sauce. I also had a side salad and a green-goddess drink. The eggs were really good, and the tomato sauce is like nothing I have ever had, chunky, freshly made, and really, really tasty. Another delicious meal at Jane’s (just like the sign says).

Next: Walking down from Wat Palad and the Sunday Night Market