SOUTHERN CHIANG MAI PROVENCE

  Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand
Friday, April 11, 2008

Today it is a long drive to Southern Chiang Mai Provence and Doi Inthanon National Park the highest peak (2565m) in Thailand. On the way up there are three waterfalls which which cascade down from the slopes of the mountain. We visit two-Wachiratan Falls and Sirithan Falls. They are impressive and peaceful sights. At Wachiratan, I buy and eat my first bag of crunchy dried frogs. Hmm, tastes like chicken! When we get to the top of the mountain I am stunned by the beauty and peace of a high altitude rain forrest, complete with lichens, orchids, mosses, and I am told, close to 400 varieties of birds. We only see one or two species, but the air is cool and it is a slice of heaven up here. They have a little souvenir shop and I buy my "Doi In" tee shirt. I trek alone through the rain forrest along a elevated wooden path constructed in a loop around part of the park.

We leave the peak and drive a ways to another stunning sight. These are the Great Holy Relics Pagoda of Nabhamethanidol and Nabhapolbhumisiri-King and Queen Pagoda's built by the Royal Thai Air Force to comemorate the King's 60th Birthday in 1989. To be honest the view from here was more breath taking than that of the peak on Doi Inthanon.
The gardens are beautiful and inside one of the Chedi's is an octoganal marble hall housing a tall standing Buddha made of marble as well. I feel I could stay in this spot forever-it's so peaceful and serene here. Sunlight breaks in stunning rays of light throught the clouds across the Chedis to make for a memorable afternoon.
We could only visit one of the Pagoda's as the other Pagoda was being cleaned and spruced up for the upcoming Sangkran ceremony that would be held here in two days.

Most of the tourist information I have read tells travelers to stay away during Sagkran as it is one big wet mess. I'm sure travelers have their own opinions, likes and dislikes about it. I have not made up my mind yet as I have scheduled tours while everyone back in Chiang Mai are getting soaked from what I hear. Hmm, maybe I will go down and check it out on Sunday and see what it is all about-that's supposed to be the big day.

As we drive back to Chiang Mai, off in the distance just above the tree tops, the flashing brilliance of gold catches my eye-the setting sunlight being reflected off of the Chedis of distant Wats. For a brief moment I understand why they are gold and my mind again wanders into a dream.