Thursday, 2 May 2024Walking from Zamora to Montemarta19.7 kilometers We are starting the walk today after a day in Zamora to rest and acclimate after traveling from the U.S. The original plan for yesterday was to take items we do not need during the walk and send them to Ivar (who runs the Camino Forum) in Santiago de Compostela where, for a small fee, he will hold the package until we arrive. Unfortunately, May 1 […]
Sunday 28 April 2024 Travel to Madrid and Zamora After agonizing over planning and packing for what seemed like far too long, the time to actually start this journey to Spain had arrived. First a flight to Madrid, meet with my brother-in-law Ron and his friend Dan, then a train ride to Zamora where we will start the walk on Thursday the second of May. I walked about a kilometer (3/4 of a mile) to […]
21 April 2024Everything in one backpack A year ago I started a Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route known as the Via de la Plata & Camino Sanabres from Seville in the south of Spain to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest corner of Spain. I had to stop at Granja de Moreuela because of severe and painful tendonitis in my left leg. Here is a photo of me walking last year between Casar de Cáceres […]
14 April 2024 Planning a return to the Camino de Santiago I am returning to Spain for a pilgrimage walk on the Camino de Santiago in two weeks. A year ago I was walking a 1050-kilometer (650 miles) pilgrimage route known as the Via de la Plata which started in Seville in the south of Spain. I developed severe and painful tendonitis in my left leg and had to stop walking after about 660 kilometers […]
Thursday 1 February 2024 Traveling Home and Reflections on My Eleventh Winter in Chiang Mai Traveling Home to the United States Being my last day in Chiang Mai for this winter, I spent a mellow day on Thursday. First I went to my last yoga class at Wild Rose Yoga with Annie as the teacher. I have known Annie at Wild Rose for at least seven years, and appreciate the way her classes have evolved. […]
Tuesday 30 January 2024 Wat Chedi Luang Wat Chedi Luang is an old and historically important Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. Wat Chedi Luang History The construction of Wat Chedi Luang began in 1391 by King Saen Muang Ma to hold his father’s ashes. The chedi was not completed until 1475, much of its completion was managed by King Saen Muang Ma’s wife, the queen after the king passed away. It was finally completed under […]
Tuesday 20 January 2024 Wat Pan Tao Wat Pan Tao (sometimes spelled Wat Phan Tao) is a very old temple in the old city of Chiang Mai, on Prapokkloa Road next door to the more famous Wat Chedi Luang. It was founded in the 14th century and originally used as living quarters for the monks of Wat Chedi Luang. The name Wat Pan Tao is said to translate to “temple of 1000 kilns” referring to […]
Tuesday 20 January 2024 Wat Chang Taem Wat Chang Taem is next door to See You Soon, where I am staying for the last two weeks of this visit to Chiang Mai. I was at The 3-Sis for the first two months, so named because it is owned by 3 sisters (Poppy, Ice, Uhey) and their parents. The family also owns other properties in Chiang Mai. Poppy, one of the sisters, runs The 3-Sis and […]
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Wat Muen Tum Across Prapokkloa Road and only 50 meters or so north of Wat Jed Lin is Wat Muen Tum, sometimes spelled Wat Muen Toom. Almost all Buddhist temples have the main entrance on the east side. The viharn (worship or prayer hall) doors open to the east to greet the rising sun honoring the beginning of the day. On the west, or setting sun side of the viharn is […]
Tuesday, 30 January 2024 Prapokkloa Road Leaving Wat Fon Soi and walking north on Prapokkloa Road, just 80 meters further is Wat Jed Lin, sometimes spelled Wat Chet Lin, Wat Jet Lin, or Wat Nong Chalin. Wat Jed Lin Wat Jed Lin is a beautiful, serene temple beside a large pond with lotus flowers, lily pads, fish, and fairly large turtles. Sitting in one of the bamboo pavilions, relaxing beside the pond, it’s hard to […]
Tuesday 30 January 2024 Prapokkloa Road The walled old city of Chiang Mai is approximately square, very close to 1600 meters square on each side. It is remarkable how accurate the layout is, given that this was constructed more than 700 years ago. And 1600 meters is very close to 1 mile. Within the 1 square mile of the old walled city of Chiang Mai are at least 50 Buddhist temples. I pass by many […]
Sunday 21 January 2024 Revisiting Wat Jed Yod I have been to Wat Jed Yod many times over the eleven years visiting Chiang Mai. The temple grounds are large with many trees, almost like a park with a serene atmosphere. There are always tourists here, but not many, and I feel like I have much of the temple to myself. I like the many chedis at Wat Jed Yod, all old and rustic looking and […]
