Chiang Rai

For our second full day in Thailand, we were exploring the city of Chiang Rai.  Chiang Rai is located in the far north of Thailand.  There were several Wats, or temples, that I wanted to see, as well as a museum and a night bazaar.  We decided to get around Chiang Rai by walking and boy did we walk.  Brian calculated that we walked well over 10 km.  What we ended up seeing were several Wats, a beautiful garden, the museum, having a tea taste, the night bazaar, and the clock doing a color/music show.

A few random shots to start with:

Clock tower-night show pictures to follow

Tea tasting

Beautiful garden:

All the walls of the garden were covered in orchids

Overbrook Hospital was built for Westerners, mostly missionaries,  in the 19th and 20th centuries and was constructed in typical colonial architecture.  The hospital is still operating.

No pictures were allowed inside the Hill Tribe Museum but the purpose of the Museum to promote awareness of Thailand's AIDS problem as well as informing visitors about the hill tribe people.  It was established by the non-profit Population and Community Development Association (PDA).  Attached to the Museum is a restaurant, also supporting the cause, called Cabbages and Condoms.  

Captain Condom (?) and Santa Claus constructed completely with condoms

Wat Klang Wiang:

Wat Phra Sing:

Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Mungmuang:

Nightlife:

So many motorcycles

I'm glad we visited Chiang Rai first to see a slower side of Thailand.  So far, Thailand is one of my most favorite places visited.  Stay tuned for Chiang Mai.  Full disclosure:  you may be tired of Wats before we leave Thailand!  They are all so breathtakingly beautiful and I want to include at least one shot of all of them.  Until next time, thanks for stopping by.