Chiang Mai - City with a Big Heart

Once at the crossroads of the great trading routes from China to the ports in Burma, Chiang Mai is now at the crossroads of old and new, ancient and modern, and bustles with energy.

Grace Guest House Most of Chiang Mai's 100 Wats (Temples) are works of art View down my street The Blue Diamond, a great place for organic vegetarian cuisine After a full day's work some set up shop for the night shift At the Night Bazaar Good Pad Thai for 20 baht/50¢ Served with a Smile and a lot of Love Markets are everywhere The Sunday Market The market spills out onto the grounds of a nearby wat The Thais love their food A Huge Buddha inside the Temple Recently it was the King's Birthday It's customary to write a wish on a lantern.... ...and send it on it's way The local Fire Brigade. Or simply another mode of transport. Motorbikes are the transportation of choice in Thailand. It's all a blur... Morning deliveries being made the old-fashioned way Behind a wall on almost every street is a sanctuary. Most businesses have a miniature shrine for employees to offer morning prayers. A young monk in residence. One of Chiang Mai's oldest: Wat Chedi Luang dating from the 1400's Reflection One of the many smaller Holy Houses surrounding the main stupa. The Library Young Musicians busking at the Sunday Market. The Loi Kroh School for Traditional Thai Massage Training Morning prayers... Attempting to revive my teacher after a particularly tricky adjustment.... Mixing the ingredients for Herbal Compress Massages My wonderful teacher, Ton. You don't have to look far to find a good place to eat Homecooked food, served with pride! Drink a beer, listen to Avril, bow to the King, honor thy master. One place. Schoolboys waiting for the bus and playing a quick game of cards These two little girls were having a great time in their moms' shoes. The Warorot Day Market - very Thai..... ... where you can anything: umbrellas, hardware, food, clothing, you name it. Steamed minced pork and crabmeat dumplings. These were delicious... ... these were not... The garden entrance to a boutique with elegant Thai clothing. Another small holy house on the grounds of a larger wat. This one was undergoing renovations Everywhere you turned was another reminder to chill out. Foot Massage by Nok at the Sunday Market after shopping The Thais have their priorities right! Happy and Healthy!