Friday 22 November 2024 Walking the entire circumference of old Chiang Mai For my first full day in Chiang Mai, I thought I would walk the entire circumference of the Chiang Mai old city wall & moat, about 8 kilometers (5 miles). Given my recent experience in Bangkok, I am wearing a hat and carrying water with me. Brief History of the Chiang Mai Wall Chiang Mai was built by King Mengrai in 1296 as […]
Tuesday 19 November 2024 Full Day in Bangkok 4 – Wat Saket Wat Saket the Golden Mount Temple I have been to Wat Saket on one of my first winters in Thailand (about 11 or 12 years ago). I remember well not feeling a strong connection when I visited then. It is a Royal Temple of the Second Class, so considered rather important in the Buddhist Religion in Thailand. Being a 15-minute walk from Wat […]
Tuesday 19 November 2024 One Full Day in Bangkok Part 3 – Wat Suthep Wat Suthep When looking at the list of Thai royal temples of the first class in Bangkok (a short list of ten), I noticed Wat Suthat and realized (1) I had never been there, and (2) it was not terribly far from Wat Pho. Being a Royal Temple of the First Class, my interest was peaked. I learned that the construction […]
Tuesday 19 November 2024 One Full Day in Bangkok Part 2 – Wat Pho Wat Pho Wat Pho is known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn. Wat Pho is first on the list of ten temples in Thailand classed as royal temples of the first class. Wat Pho was built under the reign of King Rama I in the early 1800s. The most significant […]
Tuesday 19 November 2024One Full Day in Bangkok Part 1 – Wat Arun My plans for today will be very similar to my one full day in Bangkok last year, so this post will be quite similar to that from last year and years past when I was only in Bangkok for one full day. Bangkok is a large city, about the size of Los Angeles with twice as many people. It has a frenetic […]
Saturday 16 November 2024 Home to Bangkok via Los Angeles and Incheon (Seoul) The long-anticipated travel day has arrived. I am traveling to Thailand for my 12th yoga-focused winter in Chiang Mai. First to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), then from LAX to Incheon (Seoul’s airport), and finally from Incheon to Bangkok. In many previous years, I walked to a neighborhood Avis location, picked up a car, drove home, loaded my bags, drove to LAX, […]
In a week, I leave home in San Diego, California, for my 12th yoga-focused winter in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I will be there for 12 weeks, practicing yoga at Wild Rose Yoga several times per week, strength training at the gym a couple of times per week, learning about the culture, and enjoying the food and people of what is called “The Land of Smiles.” I am considering taking a course on writing Thai while […]
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 […]
James the Intrepid Pilgrim 