Journeys by Jordan: January 18-20, 2013

January 18-20, 2013 - Chiang Mai, Thailand

January 18th:
17 hour night train to Chaing Mai. We finally arrived at our hostel, Thailand Wow, around 4pm. They messed up our reservation and we only had one proper bed in the dorm room. So, for a discount, I took the mat on the floor in the dorm room. Not too shabby for 130 Baht (about $4.30 per night). We just wandered down to the night food market and had dinner and went back to the hostel to chill.

January 19th:
Today we book a taxi to take us to Tiger Kingdom and to 2 temples. One on a big hill overlooking the city and the other was underground in a tunnel.

The Tiger Kingdom was super cool. Once you arrive you have to choose which size of tiger you want to get in the cage with and pet. There are 4 sizes at Tiger Kingdom, large, medium, small, and smallest. Of course, playing with the smallest aka cutest tigers was the most expensive. We went with the large and small package. Not long after buying a ticket they let us through the gate to where all the different tiger cages were. We stopped at the large tiger cage first. We dropped our bags at the gate, the trainer lifted up the gate and we walked through into the tiger cage. There were 5 or so big tigers in this cage. We got to pet 3 of them. 2 were sitting tail to tail snoozing, just like house cats, sleeping all day. These guys were HUGE though. They let you pick up their tails and it must have weighed 20 pounds, easy. We even snuggled up and laid next to the tigers.

After the large tigers we went into the small tigers cage. These little guys were a bit more active than the old guys. One little one rolled over and let me pet his belly. Then he romped around playing with various things in the cage.

After petting the small tigers we walked around the site to see all the other tigers at the facility. They have a total of 50 tigers ranging from Giant to very tiny and still drinking from a bottle. The baby tigers still had their blue eyes and were very playful with the people in the cages and the trainers. The facility also had a lion. Im not sure how or why they had a lion. In africa the lions seem so huge, but after seeing how big the tigers can get the lions almost seem small. Almost.

Then it was off to the temple on the hill, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. After about 20 minutes and lots of curvy roads we made it to the entrance of the temple. Here various vendor were selling food and drinks. We opted for a hotdog wrapped in a waffle. It was delightfully delicious. Like a little bite of heaven. I may have to bring this idea back to America or even better sausage wrapped in a waffle with some syrup for dipping?!?!? You would buy one, you know you would! Anyways, this was a great energy boost for the 300 something step climb to the top. It was a buck for foreigners to enter. The temple site had a central large temple surrounded by a covered sidewalk lined with Buddhas and a mural painting. It also has a great view of the city. It would have been better if it hadnt been so hazy but it was a good view nonetheless. On the hike back down from the temple we tried a cup full of corn with milk, sugar, and butter. It was quite sweet and tasty! Yum!
After the hill temple we hit the temple in the tunnel. I cant remember the name of this one, sorry. It was a small simple temple. Basically, a tunnel dug out through the ground and at each end point was a shrine to Buddha with a central larger shrine. Like I said simple but unique.

That night we ha arranged to meet up with my old high school friend Derek. We met up at the UN Irish pub for dinner and drinks. The local ultimate frisbee club was nice enough to let us hang out with them for the evening.

January 20:
We just wandered around town this day with no set plan. We stopped at a little spa on one of the main streets and opted for the spa pedicure with included a nice foot massage. I also decided to get my eye lashes tinted black so they stand our a bit more with having to put on mascara. I have very happy with the outcome. She said it would last about 6 months! We shall SEE about that, no pun intended.

This night was the night of the big Sunday market. Its an incredibly large market covering several streets in town. Vendors lined both sides of the streets and some even lined up down the middle of the road. You could buy anything here. Clothing, random electronics, hats, shoes (I bought cool strapy shoes), jewelry, leather items, bags, etc. It also had a big food court set up. There was a huge variety. Alene and I shared several different things so we could taste as much as possible. We had chicken on a stick, sushi, a chocolate and honey pancake, curry and Im sure there was more. I love street food. We wandered around the market for a good 4 hours looking at all the things the vendors had to offer.