James the Intrepid Pilgrim

Tuesday, December 20, 2022Across the river to Wat Ket Karam After visiting the flower market, I headed over the relatively new, concrete walking bridge to Wat Ket Karam. This bridge was made of wood and when I first saw it in 2006, it had been severely damaged by a flood in 2005. The government posted signs saying it was unsafe and warning people not to use it but people continued using the bridge. Because of […]

Monday, December 19, 2022Investigating a Gym Over about the last six months I have augmented my activities, walking, cycling, and yoga practice with what I call “strength training.” I work with a trainer at a smaller local gym where with his knowledge of fitness, and evaluation of my strengths and weaknesses is helping balance my overall fitness and strength. For over 45 years, my primary exercise has been cycling (road cycling – I do not […]

Saturday, December 17, 2022Wat Chai Si Phum on the return walk from Jing Jai Market Jing Jai Market is a very large local market about 2 kilometers from the northeast corner (Si Phum Corner) of the Chiang Mai old city wall/moat. This is a local market, not a tourist attraction, but is gradually attracting more and more non-Thais. It is known as a Sunday market, but recently expanded to Saturday as well. Jing Jai is […]

Friday, December 16, 2022Return to a favorite: Wat Lok Moli If you have been reading my blog, you know that I seem to have many favorite temples. I confess, I do have many favorites, like Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phalad, and Wat Suan Dok to name a few. The staff at The 3-Sis sometimes ask me, “what is your favorite temple today?” One of my favorites that is equal to the three I just mentioned […]

Thursday, December 15, 2022A temple near Chiang Mai Ram After getting a morning shower, I noticed the water did not seem to be draining from my right ear, and I was having difficulty hearing. I know that I get a little more than average buildup of wax in my ears, so I thought it a good idea to have someone look at and clean out my ears. I did this three years ago at Chiang […]

Wednesday, December 14, 2022Wat Sri Suphan, The Silver Temple Having left Wat Chedi Luang, I continued south through Chiang Mai Gate, and onto Wua Lai Road, a road that runs southwest from Chiang Mai Gate. This is the silver district of Chiang Mai. There are many silver and jewelry shops and craftsmen working in this area, particularly on Wua Lai Road. In the past, I have shopped for and bought gifts for friends here. Wua […]

Wednesday, December 14, 2022Three Kings Monument and Wat Chedi Luang I decided to make a walk from the center of the old Chiang Mai city south to Wat Sri Suphan, stopping at Wat Chedi Luang along the way. Today is a beautiful day in Chiang Mai, just a few degrees cooler. Started the walk at the Monument to the Three Kings. Monument to the Three Kings King Mengrai founded Chiang Rai, about a four-hour’s drive […]

Tuesday, December 13, 2022Hiking in the Jungle to Wat Phalad When I woke this morning, I had it in my mind to make the hike to Wat Phalad for the first time this visit to Chiang Mai. Wat Phalad (sometimes spelled Palad or Pha Lat) is a smaller, less known temple in the jungle about half-way up Doi Suthep, the mountain on which the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is located. Before the pandemic, […]