 |
| A White Temple in Chiangrai, Thailand |
A White Temple! In front of me was a snow-white, one-of-a-kind
Buddhist temple. I was in Chiangrai, Thailand, with members of Klang Convent
OGA (Old Girls Association), on a 5-day holiday.
On January16, 2018, OGA members had a fun-filled
holiday in Chiangmai and Chiangrai. 33 of us had arrived in Chiangmai with tour
guide, Teri. Thai tour guide, Jacky, welcomed us and immediately took us by bus to Chiangrai for a 2
day-holiday there. We returned to Chiangmai for a 3-day holiday.
Day 1: CHIANGRAI
On the way to Chiangrai, we travelled along old
Chiangmai, passing through remnants of
the city wall and moat of the ancient Lanna Kingdom.
 |
| Old wall and moat in old city Chiangmai |
Thaweesin
Hotspring
Enroute to Chiangrai, we stopped in Thaweesin
Hotspring. Some members bravely dipped their weary feet in the hot pool, while
others sampled freshly boiled eggs, fresh fruits and snacks on sale there.
 |
| Thaweesin Hotspring |
 |
| Members having a healthy dip in the hotspring |
 |
| Eggs in baskets attached by bamboo poles being boiled in the hot spring |
 |
| Eggs and meat cooked over hot fire |
 |
| A temple near the Hotspring, with Hindu influence |
We stopped for an appetising Northern Thai lunch. Photos below show members enjoying the meal:
 |
| Northern Thai dishes - a delicious introduction to Thailand |
In Chiangrai, we visited the White Temple, built and funded by
artist-painter-architect and millionaire Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat. He
wanted to build the most beautiful temple in the world, to show the glory of
modern Thai Buddhist Art.
He used white because he wanted it to be different from other
temples which are golden. "The Lord Buddha represents purity (white) and the
use of small mirrors throughout the building is a symbol of Lord Buddha's
wisdom (Dharma) that shines throughout the Universe," said Chalermchai, in
a White Temple booklet.
He
continued, “I want to build a heavenly garden (representing happiness) for
humans to stroll in. I want all visitors of whatever religion to have a feeling
of peace, happiness and at the same time get to understand the meaning of
Buddhism that can be seen all over the temple, whether it’s in the
architecture, drawings or molding works.”
Construction began in 1996 and still continues. Eventually, there
will be 9 buildings on the grounds when the site is completed in 2070.
We first
visited the Main Temple. As we crossed the bridge (Cycle of Rebirth), I was
shocked to see the moat filled with outreaching arms which represent desire. Among
the outstretched hands were monsters and horrible creatures being pulled into
the pits of hell by thousands of hands. Urghhh!
We queued
up and took off our shoes (we were given a paper bag for our shoes) to enter
the main temple, lugging our shoes along.It was
quiet and sombre inside, a place for meditation. No photos were allowed to be taken inside.
After the
short visit to the Main Temple, we walked around the buildings and the surroundings. Besides religious ornaments,
there were dragons and mythical creatures, unique statues and even quirky creations like skulls, demon heads, and pop-cultural
figures from the underworld, all symbolic of the Buddha’s teachings and
Buddhist philosophy (like good against evil).
The
golden temple-like building is the toilet. It represents the body and is in stark contrast to the
White Temple which represents the mind.
It is said to be the most beautiful public restroom in the world. It was clean
and odourless when I used one of the rooms.
 |
| The glistening White Temple is reflected in a pond |
 |
| The artistic and attractive White Temple |
 |
| Everyone wants a picture with the iconic temple |
 |
| Hands reaching out: signifying the way to happiness is through overcoming cravings, desire or greed for material things |
 |
| Jubilant members: their colourful clothes contrast well against the white temple |
 |
| Golden Toilet 1 (Restroom) - represents the body, the material world |
 |
| Creative and symbolic arches |
 |
| Quirky heads hanging from trees |
 |
| The Kinnaree - half man, half bird: creature form Buddhist mythology |
 |
| Audrey with a model of artist Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat |
Dinnertime - more mouth-watering Thai dishes.
 |
| Salad |
 |
| Tomyam |
 |
| Squid-spring onion |
Day 2: CHIANGRAI
After a
hearty breakfast, we were off to the hills for a village visit.
 |
| Seafood with noodles |
 |
| Assortment of appetizers |
 |
| Bread with name of hotel:Grand Vista |
 |
| Grilled chicken |
We
visited the Union of Hill Tribe Village. It has 5 different hill tribes: Ahka,
Lu Mien, Palong Long Neck (or Karen Long Neck), Lahu and Kayor.
We walked through the different tribal villages, participated in cultural dances and shopped at their handmade products stalls - their only way to earn an income.
Photos below show our excitement and activities with the hill tribes:
We walked through the different tribal villages, participated in cultural dances and shopped at their handmade products stalls - their only way to earn an income.
Photos below show our excitement and activities with the hill tribes:
 |
The different hill tribes  |
 |
| Sisters Kala and Kamala: hand-to-hand, treading carefully on the uneven rough terrain |
 | ||
| Our group taking a break for a photo shoot: trekking up and down the slopes of the hill tribes can be tiring for senior citizens
|
 |
| With room-mate, Melinda |
The most interesting hill tribe was the Karen Long Neck. The womenfolk had long
necks because they wore 2 ½ kg spiral brass coils when young. Having a long
neck is considered beautiful.
 |
| With a young girl: heavy brass coils on her neck and yellow powder on er cheeks and nose |
 |
| Tried the coils: they ARE heavy! |
 |
| Weight of the brass coils for the neck |
 |
| Girl cheerfully weaving |
 |
| Girl sitting pretty and looking like a doll |
 |
| Everyone wants a photo with the the girl with the "golden-neck" |
 |
| Members shopping for souvenirs |
Lots of eye-catching handicrafts for sale:
Golden
Triangle/Maekong River/Lao Village
From the village, we moved on to the Golden
Triangle. This is a place where 3 countries meet: Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. This place was formerly famous for drugs and arms smuggling but today it is a tourist attraction.
 |
| Jacky explaining the Golden Triangle |
 |
| All ready to board the boat at the Pier of the Maekong River |
We cruised along the Maekong river, with Myanmar on our left and Laos
on our right and China in front. Jacky pointed some big casinos and hotels on both sides of the river.
 |
| The boat that we cruised along |
Shopping in Don Sao Island:
After
some time of cruising, our boat made a U-turn, and we turned back. We made a stop at Don Sao
Island in Laos for an hour - shopping, drinking
coconut water or sipping Vietnamese coffee.
 |
| Members enjoying thirst-quenching coconut water |
 |
| A Golden Buddha : seen from the jetty |
 |
| Returning to Thailand after the cruise |
Maesai Border Market
After lunch, we proceeded to Maesai, the border next
to Myanmar. Jacky took us on a walk to the northernmost part of Thailand, just
to get a feel of the iconic landmark!
 |
| Northern most part of Thailand |
MYANMAR
(BURMA)
At the Maesai border, our group split into 2: 16 of us were to
walk across the border to visit Myanmar (3 ½ hours) while the rest had
another round of shopping at the Maesai Border Market.
The crossing over to Myanmar was simple and easy. We walked in
single file across the border, passed the immigration and within minutes, lo
and behold, we were in Myanmar!
 |
| Walking across the border |
This is a replica of the Shwedagon
Pagoda in Yangoon. We took off our shoes and entered the sacred
site. We knelt down, prayed and made a wish. Different from the temples in
Thailand, this one has pictures on the walls depicting apparel of people long
ago.
 |
| Entrance of Temple |
 |
| Inside the temple |
 |
| The stupa outside the temple |
This temple was also undergoing
some renovation. What was remarkable was the beautiful intricate decor on roofs
and statues.
3. Phra
Jow La Keng - Thachileik
This temple is peaceful and serene, with
admirable architecture. Inside the temple, the altar was uniquely illuminated
with glittering lights. Outside, a hanging gong gave us some excitement in the
otherwise calm environment.
 |
| The gong with its handle |
 |
| Our taxi in front of the temple |
After the temples visit, we had a short shopping spree in the Bazaar. Most of us were pleased with our purchases of handbags, DVDs and souvenirs.
Soon it was time to leave Mayanmar. We walked back to Maesai, Thailand, pausing to take a group photo of that memorable visit.
 |
| A memorable Myanmar visit |
The visits to neighbouring Laos and Myanmar gave me
glimpses of how the people live there. I felt a sense of accomplishment, having
visited 3 countries in one trip like a 3-in-1 coffee.
From Maesai, we travelled for about 3 hours back to Chiangmai for a late dinner, before checking in to our hotel.
Day 3. CHIANGMAI
Cherry Blossoms in Khun
Chang Khian
Early morning, we were off to the high mountains to
see cherry blossoms. In groups of about 6, we boarded 4 WD taxis which took us
along the narrow and winding road to Khun Chang Khian.
 |
| My group of 6 jovial members in the 4 WD taxi that jolted us left and right |
The journey was uncomfortable, with many twists and
turns. I could feel my insides turning upside down, making me giddy and sick.
However, the happy and jovial chatter of my group made the trip bearable.
When we reached the top, rows of rows of pink cherry
blossom trees greeted us. What an enchanting sight! It was like a scene from a
story book. Everyone squealed with delight.
Cherry blossoms in Chiangmai? Yes, cherry blossoms do
flower not only in Japan! The organiser of our trip had timed the visit well – such
beautiful blooms in cool Chiangmai! What more could we ask for?
 |
| Looks like I have sprouted a new head |
After the euphoric visit, we adjourned to a quieter and
sombre place, the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This is a temple in the mountain
Doi Suthep and is often referred to as Doi Suthep. It is a sacred site for the Thai
people.
We took a lift up and were amazed by the big crowd
there. Although it was a weekday, tourists and locals thronged the various prayer
sites.
We saw pagodas, statues, bells, museum and shrines, as
well as a model of the Emerald Buddha. There was a big stupa in the centre. Some
of us bought flowers and candles and with other devotees, walked around the
stupa 3 times, clockwise, to gain merits, before placing the offerings at the
required places.
 |
| The stupa |
 |
| Devotees walking round the stupa |
 |
| With room mate Melinda, in front of Sala Tree (Buddha was born under a Sala tree) |
 |
| Some prayer rooms |
 |
| Intricately carved wooden pillars and roof |
Instead of taking the lift down, most of us walked the 309 steps. This gave us the opportunity to appreciate many outstanding features along the way.
 |
| The 309 steps down |
 |
| Happy faces after reaching the bottom of the 309 steps |
Our lunch at Holiday Garden Hotel was
not Thai cuisine but a buffet-style cuisine. Everyone tucked in the flavoursome
dishes, Western and Eastern, especially the curry noodles which reminded us of our
home country, Malaysia.
We had an early dinner of Thai-Chinese cuisine, so that we could go to the Night Market for shopping.
Night Market Shopping
Our Suri Wong Hotel doors opened out to the night market. We walked along the long street where traders ply their goods and shopped till we dropped, 2 nights in a row, on Day 3 and Day 4.
Chiangmai came alive at night: bright glittery lights, slow-moving
noisy vehicles, flourishing eating stalls, beer-drinkers and coffee
connoisseurs in side-walk cafes amidst the happy bargaining between traders and
tourists.
Walking with my room-mate, my eyes were diverted to some
transgender women in their shimmering and sexy night-wear. They looked so
pretty - I felt sorry for them.
Besides Malaysians, there were many foreigners from Western
countries and also from China. No wonder the traders could speak fluent English
and Mandarin!
 |
| Pretty and sexy transgender women |
Day 4: CHIANGMAI
Elephant
Camp
On Day 4, we had great fun in the Elephant Camp.
1.Bamboo-rafting
We boarded bamboo rafts in small groups to
experience what a ride on a bamboo raft entailed. Jacky told us not to be
afraid on the raft because if we fall in the river, the water was only
knee-deep!
With the wind on our cheeks, the sun in our eyes and
blue skies above, we cruised along the river without a care in the world. That
was relaxing and refreshing!
 |
| Jacky helping members board the bamboo raft |
 |
 |
| A member taking over the rowing - Teri (tour leader), with backpack is on the extreme right |
2. Elephant Ride
The elephant ride was something else! Two of us were
delegated to one elephant. The elephant walk started along the shallow river,
up some steep steps, passed through a narrow path and finally continued journey
on the hill slopes before turning back.
I felt nervous
as I alighted on to the elephant’s back and held on to the metal bar for dear
life. What if the elephant took a wrong step – this ran through my mind!
Initially, I held my breath, clenched my fist and
held on tightly to my backpack. As the elephant scaled the steps, I felt myself
slipping on the smooth seat and my heart began to throb faster and louder.
I could sense
the poor elephant’s displeasure with the burden (us) on its back. I told myself
that I would not take an elephant ride again.
However, when the elephant reached level ground on
the hill slopes, I relaxed and began to enjoy the ride. I thought of the song “Baby
Elephant Walk” (written by Henry Mancini), famous in the 1960s, and imagined
the elephant moving rhythmically to the music.
 |
| Melinda and I perched precariously on top of the elephant |
 |
| Ready, get set, start - on shallow waters |
 |
| Slow and steady - the elephants plodded along |
 |
| The tough climb up the steps |
 |
| Brave members smiling away with no fears |
3.Elephant Show
This was
the best part of the Camp. The trained elephants marched orderly, lined up and
did some tricks - lifting a log, dancing, eating a whole bunch of
bananas and lifting the mahout on to its back.
Next they
gave us some lessons on football – forward kick, back kick, kick into a goal
post – all done to perfection!
The crowd roared and applauded with joy coupled with
amazement. What a fitting finale to the Elephant Show!
The completed works were displayed, auctioned and
sold to the highest bidder very quickly.
 |
| Elephants with their mahouts all lined up to perform |
 |
| Video: a back kick by a talented elephant |
 |
| Elephants can draw! |
 |
| The completed works of art |
To end the day, we visited the other two Home Industries – Precious stones and Thai Silk factory.
After the rip-roaring adventure, we adjourned to a
traditional northern Thai Khantoke Dinner plus a Cultural Show, along with other tourists.
We sat on floor mats at a long low table. Luckily
there was a big space below the table for leg space. Dinner was homemade family-style yummy dishes, which were continually replenished.
 |
| 2 young local girls dressed in traditional costumes went round to take photos with guests |
 |
Home-style yummy dishes |
After the show, we had another round of night shopping. Then, while some retired to their hotel rooms, others went to the Hotel discotheque for singing, dancing and drinks as it was our last night in Chiangmai.
 |
| Dee Lung singing a hot number with a guest |
 |
| Rose and Dee Lung dancing away |
Day 5. CHIANGMAI
It was free and easy on our last day. We browsed around the shops in the hotel and walked
the streets again to do some last minute shopping. It was still early in the
morning and the streets were quiet with only a handful of shoppers like us compared
to the noisy crowd at night.
Hotel decor:
 |
Sights along the streets:
 |
| A temple with unusual architecture |
 |
| With Kala in the quiet market in the morning |
Soon, it was time to say goodbye to Chiangmai. This was a holiday with a variety of new experiences for me: a unique White Temple, Long-neck villagers, the elephant and raft-ride and a 3-in-1 countries-visit.
....................................................................................................................................
I wish to thank the OGA organisers for planning such a great holiday with many new experiences . A big thank you too to all members of the OGA for sharing their photos here.
