Travel Awaits: Asia 2014 Day 2: Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep, Wats, Sunday Walking Street Market

Had an early start to the day. Ate a ton at the hotel's breakfast. So much at the buffet. Fruits, omelettes, noodles, congee, other Thai soups, veggies, meats. So good.

Left the hotel at 7:45 am for a half hour walk to Chang Pueak Gate to catch a songthaew to Doi Suthep. Enjoyed just walking the streets and taking in the environment. It was quiet in the morning. Most tourists were still sleeping.

I found the row of songthaew right outside the moat. Didn't have to bargain, the main organizer offered 50 baht to/from. BUT failed to mention that I'd have to wait until there were 10 passengers. I was the 1st. Of course I was, since I was so early ...After 20 min, I was offered to be taken to Doi Suthep by myself for 700 baht. Yea..no. Waited around 30 min.

Songthaew to Doi Suthep

Met a nice couple from Guangzhou. They were telling me about what to expect when I arrive in GZ. Crowds. Apparently it's even busier than Bangkok because October marks the start of a three month period of exhibitions and conventions.

Doi Suthep was not too impressive. The golden temple would have been much more beautiful if there were not so many crowds. The masses took away from the atmosphere, unfortunately.

From Doi Suthep

After walking around the temple, there are other attractions at the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, but must be driven to. The palace was a popular one, but I instead wanted to go to the Doi Pui summit. Was a decision made on the whim...and was a bust. The songthaew RT price was 500 baht, so already a lot. It was just me, and the drive was maybe 15 min up the mountain. I did not realize that summit meant hiking to the summit..luckily I actually enjoy hiking, and it was a short 2.8km hike. But I saw no one else on my way up. I felt like I was in the Hunger
Games, because there was a loud bug/creature that kept flying above the trees and circling around me. It sounded like construction work was being done. I kept imagining the worst, that the things would swarm down and I'd get bit and eaten on the mountain.

Songthaew Prices at Doi Suthep

The summit offered zero views. Literally nothing to look at. There was a sign, but that was all. So...pretty disappointed that I trekked up the mountain and saw nothing. The only redeeming factor was on the drive back down, we pulled over to another viewpoint and it was beautiful. You could see a Hmong village from here.

View from Doi Suthep-Pui!

After getting back to Doi Suthep, I took another songthaew to Chiang Mai, although there was some confusion and I thought I was getting dropped off at Chang Pueak Gate. Was taken to the university instead, and had to transfer to another songthaew.

I thought I'd try a restaurant nearby that had good reviews, called Free Bird Cafe, but unfortunately was closed. I ended up wandering down some side street and found a local restaurant, definitely not catering to tourists/westerners. Which is what I actually prefer. Had pad see lew and a coconut drink for 80 baht ($2.40!)

After reengerizing, I wanted to explore the old town and check out the wats. Wat Chedi Luang was first, and it is incredible. It wasn't busy there at all, and the weather was still dry. It looks like an ancient ruin, with half of the structure having fallen down. The elephants were so huge and impressive. Really was beautiful here.

Wat Chedi Luang

Afterwards, I headed over to Wat Phra Singh. Passed by the vendors setting up for the Sunday walking street market and started getting excited! Wat Phra Singh wasn't too impressive, and I felt a little bad because I used the temple to protect me from the downpour that started. Stayed in there for half an or so, and decided it was time to start the walking market festivities.

It was a little after 5pm, and ppl were still setting up. I took this as an opportunity to relax my sore, sore feet and got a foot massage for 150 baht. It was a tiny AC room packed with chairs facing the street market. Perfect for ppl watching.

After the massage, most of the vendors were ready. And it was starting to get busy. I liked the booths here a lot more than the night bazaar. Had more of a local, authentic feel, not the warehouse - produced - goods - to - sell feel.