Chill in northern Thailand Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong 2/2023 (Stop 6)

21-24 Feb 2023 From Bangkok, I was continuing to head north, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and toward Chiang Mai. Away from the beaches of the south, the north landscape became greener, hilly and cooler.

Ancient Buddhist temples sought isolation and seclusion among the mountains and the thick bushes. These temples climbed the high grounds, to build their tall towers, reaching for heaven. These are ancient, dating back to centuries ago. Some have been spruced up, some blindingly golden, others still solemn antiquity.

I rented a motorbike and kept it running for 2 days, roaming the old city within the perimeter of the crumbled city walls and the new city beyond. Many tourists have come to visit Thailand this far north. It just feels a lot calmer and more peaceful, the air cooler.

From Chiang Mai, I then took a bus to Chiang Rai. On the spur of the moment, I got off the bus at the White Temple, just short of Chiang Rai city. I deposited my luggage at the temple luggage storage area, then joined others already there. After the quick tour, I headed straight to the bus station to catch the bus to Chiang Khong, a Thai border town just short of Laos. The plan was to cross into Laos’ border town at Huay Xai the following day. I hatched all these plans by reading between the lines of what I searched on Google and the plagiarized info from some smart young travelers.