For Dad's last day in Chiang Mai, we awoke at dawn for one last adventure to the Floating Castle on Doi Suithep (It is really a combination of the winter palace which contains the Queen's gardens and Wat Phrathat on top of Doi Suithep. A Wat is a Thai Buddhist temple.) Our guides were brave, knowledgeable and giggly. Meet Sara and Lydia, the two girls of the family that we are staying with, and The MOM, the beast that guards a gazebo like structure holding lots of gongs and a huge bell.
There were tons of signs that said "Do not push the bells" which turns out does not mean "Do not play the bells." This is best done by softly striking the bell from the inside. Once we figured that out we made lovely music for the rest of the Wat tour.
Then on to the palace itself, which is still beautifully dressed in flowers from the International Flower Expo and in honor of the Queen and King. We even came to a huge fountain whose waterworks were moving in time to the King's Jazz compositions being played through speakers shaped like rocks. Here's a picture of Dad and I enjoying ourselves.
And so good bye to Dad until April. It was an excellent start to a vacation and there was never a more generous traveling companion.
As the monk who blessed us and gave us each a white cotton bracelet for our journey said,
"Be Happy, Be Well," Elaine
2 comments:
Elaine, I love that picture of you and your dad, and your new photo up top! On to China!
How delightful to see you and your dad riding atop an elephant. It's the perfect antidote to the "end-of-winter" doldrums here in Michigan. Viewing your colorful pictures and reading about your adventures brings your travels to life and makes me feel like I'm by your side. But still, I can't wait to talk to Cam and hear his take on all your adventures. Enjoy the second half of the journey. And keep on blogging.
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