Thursday, July 24, 2008

Wat Chompu, Chiang Mai ... gold!!


Wat Chompu, Chiang Mai ... holy jellyfish



This wat was next door to The Pagoda, and I could see the gleaming gold of this temple from many of my rooms there.

Night Bazaar... masks!

Night Bazaar... hand carved, hand painted beauty

Night Bazaar... mini-art


Night Bazaar... more art


Night Bazaar... Buddha faces for sale


Night Bazaar street stall...

Last dinner in Chiang Mai


A final Kow Soi Gai and mango shake to close out my time in my favorite city!

My new haircut!


Taken while still in the small neghborhood beauty shop where the chopping took place. My hair has NEVER been this short in my life.... I LIKE it!!

Chou, jumjim Massage!


jumjim= "the best"! I was feeling pretty much jumjim after every massage with Chou. She was amazingly skilled and subtly strong. I went to see her nearly every day while I was in Chiang Mai.

Lah, my Thai language instructor

Night Bazaar shop scene



After my photo shoot I had to take my face out for the night... a stroll around the Night Bazaar offered some entertainment.

My Thai Glamour Shots... my eyes!!!


The amount of make-up that was applied to my face for this photo shoot was ridiculous! I found myself fascinated by the many layers...

My Thai Glamour Shots...in the dressing room


It was against the rules to take photos inside the studio... I had to sneak these few shots in while they thought I was still dressing. The makeup alone took 30 minutes, and then it took an assistant another 15 minutes to wrap me in my traditional Thai costume. Finished photos of me in full Lanna Thai regalia will follow in a subsequent entry.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai... temple dog


Every wat has their share of dogs. The dogs seem to learn quick that wats are one place they will not be kicked out of. Wat Suan Dok had a few roving packs of dogs. They seemed friendly enough during the day, but I wouldn't want to walk through there at night unescorted.

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai... nagas and the main hall

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai...white washed view

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai... more detail

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai


Up-close spire.

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai



Field of chedi.

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai... spires and sky


Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai


Main hall and chedi.

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai... beauty at sunset


The rear of the main assembly hall.

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai



Wat Suan Dok is the final resting place of many of the old rulers of Chiang Mai. Their revered ashes are entombed in these chedi. There is a whole field of white washed chedi behind the main assembly hall. All the white sculpted spires were beautiful in the multi-colored afterglow of sunset.

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai



Up close view of the glass mosaics decorating the frontispiece of the main assembly hall.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Wat Suan Dok~ Chiang Mai


Wat Jed Yod~ Chiang, Mai



A full view of the old wat, and a closer look at it's central towers. A beautiful and quiet sanctuary amidst the bustle of the Chiang Mai commerce district. Being there felt like stepping back in time.

Wat Jed Yod~ Chiang, Mai


The main assembly hall, a modern structure, and currently in use for the evening service. The sound of about a dozen chanting monks filled the evening air as I explored the grounds, which I had all to myself.

Wat Jed Yod~ Chiang, Mai... temple dog

Wat Jed Yod~ Chiang, Mai


the library

Wat Jed Yod~ Chiang, Mai


A smaller side temple, from a distance.