James the Intrepid Pilgrim

Wednesday 14 January 2015  The Wall and The Moat The word “chiang” in the city name Chiang Mai, is thought to mean “city”. Historically, however, it meant “walled city,” a city with a wall around it. King Mengrai build a city named Chiang Rai farther north of Chiang Mai, but it was close to Burma, and the Burmese too often fought with his people. So King Mengrai and two neighboring kings (there were smaller kingdoms […]

Tuesday 13 January 2015  Five Temple Journey Part 4: Wat Rampoeng Wat Rampoeng is a temple known as a meditation center south west of Chiang Mai city. It is not too far from Wat Umong that I have visited in the past (the temple with the caves). People go to Wat Rampoeng to do silent meditations for 3, 5, 7, or more days. The people meditating wear wight clothing, and can be seen walking around […]

Tuesday 13 January 2015  Five Temple Journey Part 3: Two Local Temples We headed north from the Chom Thong district back in the direction of Chiang Mai. We were soon heading up what is known as Canal Road, a highway on the west and south of Chiang Mai that runs mostly along a canal. I had two smaller, local temples on my list to see, and I do not remember why. I recall something about […]

Tuesday 13 January 2015  Five Temple Journey Part 2: Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong We headed west and a little south to the Chom Thong District of Chiang Mai Province for about 85 minutes. Most of the land between Lamphun and Chom Thong is farmland, with homes and other businesses along the road. Just like in the U.S., a slow vehicle can jam things a  bit by not pulling over to let faster vehicles […]

Tuesday, 13 January 2015 Five Temple Journey Part 1: Lamphun I hired a driver and went on a bit of a road trip today to see five temples, first in Lamphun, about 60-70 minutes south and slightly east of Chiang Mai, second a temple in the Chom Tong district, 80-90 minutes further south and west of Lamphun, and then three temples on the return route back to Chiang Mai city. The drive from the 3-Sis […]

Monday, 12 January 2015  Hiking Up to Wat Palad I met Steve Epstein, the leader of the Green Papaya Sangha meditation group at the front of the 3-Sis at 8:15, and headed out to Wat Suan Dok in a Red Truck (driven by Ms. Ying, a driver I have used in the past) to pick up some other friends of Steve’s who would be making the hike with us. With the group assembled in the […]

Sunday, January 11, 2015  Hiking down from Wat Palad and the Sunday Market No rain this morning, but it is colder than normal, and a bit breezy. Here is the large chedi at Wat Chedi Luang in the very clear, breezy and slight cloudy morning. After a morning meditation, I went to the Tamarind Village for their breakfast buffet. By Chiang Mai standards, this is expensive, but at less than $20, for very good food […]

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 […]

Saturday, January 10, 2015  The Rain Subsides, Part 1: Wat Nantharam The rain seems to have passed and the sun is breaking through the clouds occasionally. and the clouds are whiter today; it is noticeably brighter out, a nice change from the very dark past two days. This is also Children’s Day in Thailand, a day of families focusing on their children. There are many events for the children, and thankfully, it is unlikely to […]

Friday, January 9, 2015 Full Day of Rain and a Hot Stone Oil Massage Rain continued most of the night and while a little lighter this morning, it is still raining steadily. I chose not go go across the street to Wat Chedi Luang for my morning mediation. Today shall be a day of catching up on a few work-related items and also catching up on my blog. In other words, working in my room […]

Thursday, January 7, 2015 Rain, Rain, Rain, and Jane’s Kitchen Today the sky was dark. I hoped it would not rain. I went out to the Bird’s Nest Cafe, an organic coffee shop and restaurant where they allow people to get some food, park, and use the internet for some time. The internet was working well, but was very, very slow. I had a light lunch, a latte, and eventually got some work done. I […]

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 A Low-Key Day and an American Dinner Today is to be a low-key day. I have a spa appointment at Cheeva Spa today, a newer spa highly recommended by the staff at the 3-Sis. Cheeva is known for using only high-quality, organic products, obtained locally where possible. I requested a 4 and 1/2 hour detox treatment, including: Foot soak and massage Thai herbal steam Revitalizing body scrub Australian red clay wrap […]