Walks in the Kingdom of Siam (page 2 of 11)

The little view promised:

https://youtu.be/A7GNtdHjpHg

Nice, plus there wasn’t a crowd!

Hi Joël, Thanks for this new travel journal. I’m planning my first trip to Thailand, and your journals are really helping me out. Promise, when I get back, I’ll share our experience—I hope it’ll help other travelers too. Anne

Given the reactions when we're only just getting started, it's already time to thank EVERYONE who has contributed.

When you make something public—and it's only human—you keep an eye on the stats. However, even if these are relationships we might call partially virtual, nothing beats a little friendly comment to let people know you enjoyed it. It adds a touch of humanity to the story and makes the time spent creating it all worthwhile.

If there hadn’t been a good number of positive messages on our previous travel journals, we would’ve stopped posting them two or three years ago.

Sawadee kha!

The Blue Temple in Chiang Rai is so beautiful, as is the Chinese Goddess nearby. Did you take the elevator up into her head to enjoy the view? There’s a sharply dressed attendant who operates the elevator, and at the top, the interior is just as stunning. It’s definitely worth the visit. We went last February with our friend Phaet from the GH where we’ve stayed six times now (and we’re heading back next February, of course!).

Together with her, we donated a 10 kg bag of rice to the temple that houses, feeds, and educates many children and teenagers (in the buildings just behind it). Visitors can eat for free anytime at the small canteen near the entrance.

Chiang Rai... a province we’re particularly fond of... See you soon for more of your adventures—and thanks in advance for treating us to Joël’s lovely prose and Françoise’s beautiful photos!

1. view from the head of the Chinese Goddess 2 + 3 + 4: views inside the Goddess’s head 5. exterior view of the Goddess and the temple still under construction during our visit

Of course I am 😉!!! We could have almost crossed paths—we were in the area in July for a classic Bangkok/Kanchanaburi/Ayutthaya trip before a quick detour to the Perhentians (I’ll post more as soon as I find the time...). Can’t wait for the rest!

This time, we’re visiting a private museum that brings together objects from several Southeast Asian countries.

The 300 baht fee is certainly steep compared to national museums, but it’s worth it. A super cheerful 30-year-old guide—who looks more like 20—joins us and answers some questions we’ve had for ages.

For example, next to the steps leading up to the temple, you often see a depiction of one animal trying to devour another. Actually, one represents Myanmar, and the other Siam. It’s meant to show how the Burmese, despite repeated attacks, couldn’t bring the Kingdom of Siam to heel.

We’re lucky to see so many preserved treasures because a far-sighted man believed it was essential to safeguard the region’s religious and cultural artifacts.

Alongside objects that are centuries old, there’s an intricately crafted Chinese drum from 3,000 years ago. The founder’s bedroom is worth a look, with its bed adorned with precious stones. The centerpiece is the massive golden throne of an ancient king. Since the founder traveled extensively, he brought back some souvenirs, including an impressive cannibal costume with a headdress studded with real human teeth.



















In the evening, we stumble upon a small local market and find ourselves in front of an abandoned airfield. Nowadays, city dwellers gather here to chat, walk, run, or bike. The day ends on this zen note, in peaceful tranquility.

Some truly beautiful photos and a museum that’s nothing short of unexpected.

We meet up with Phason for a long morning journey.

But it’s totally worth it. A stunning mini-trek leads us to a magnificent waterfall. One of our most enjoyable forest walks in Thailand, and no entrance fee to pay.











We stop at a temple that’s out of the ordinary. It’s somewhere between Scheherazade’s palace and Disneyland, but someone clearly had a blast designing it.











We make a stop at a small stand, where we buy a bunch of 16 medium-sized bananas for 20 baht. These delicious bananas, flat on two sides, taste as sweet as they look. In the car, Phason says, "You know how much I pay for these in my village?" Just from the question, we can guess the answer. 5 baht, of course. And sure enough, later on, the closer we get to the production areas and small villages, the more we see bunches for 15, then 10 baht. It’s not surprising in a country where this plant is everywhere. By the side of the road, you can theoretically pick them almost anywhere.

Phason then gives us a full tour of his region, including charming, flower-filled, well-kept villages.

He introduces us to his rice field, his wife, his durian tree, and his fish pond. It’s the perfect opportunity to get up close to local life and meet incredibly warm people.











To finish off, Phason takes us for lunch—he knows where to eat well. Out in the countryside, in a covered canteen sheltered from the blazing sun, we enjoy one of the best meals of our trip: a mix of pork, rice, and omelet with a simply delicious soup. On wooden benches so long they must’ve been carved straight from a tree trunk.

What a stroke of luck to meet such a reliable and enthusiastic person while traveling! These two days with Phason are worth a month of organized tours. We’ll definitely recommend him if we get the chance, and we hope to see this great guy again! !

He successively introduces us to his rice field, his wife, his durian tree, and his fish tank.

Objection, Your Honor! That’s a jackfruit ;) https://www.nutreatif.com/jacquier-fruit/ Thanks for the stroll 🙂

I totally upvote this waterfall. I went there on a rainy day—it was magnificent, a stunning waterfall.

Glad you visited this spot; it’s so off the beaten path. 🙂

The waterfall is stunning—can you swim there? As for the temple, I’d say there’s something for every taste.

And the rest should be a pure moment of sharing :)

Latest photo from the first series titled Nike the police

This is making me hungry—what’s she cutting there?

Hi there,

It’s melon. Well, it’s not like ours.

At the foot of the waterfall, I think it’s about 4 meters deep.

Hello,

It’s melon. Okay, it’s not like ours.

As long as it’s good, that’s what matters ;)

As luck would have it, we’re staying in a residence that’s also listed on Airbnb. By being a bit clever, we managed to correspond by email with the owner and plan our itineraries remotely—so convenient and comfortable! We made sure to stock up on pineapples at the bus station before our pick-up arrived.

And already, our second favorite experience. Since our hostess was unavailable due to her young child, she sent her niece Noey instead. This charming 25-year-old is transporting tourists and looking after them for the first time. We ended up in the care of a friendly, thoughtful, and absolutely kind young woman.

We’re staying in a studio on the top floor of a condominium, with an infinity pool overlooking the lake and the best restaurant in town right downstairs. If you look hard enough, you can find some great spots.

I totally agree with the waterfall. I went there on a rainy day—it was magnificent, a stunning waterfall.

Glad you made it to this spot; it’s not very touristy. 🙂

Tell me about it! It’s a gorgeous place. No matter how much you think you know what to expect, when you round the bend and see it right in front of you—with the movement and the sound—you just stop and stare for a while.

True, we ran into a group with their guide just a few meters before finishing our hike. The whole way, all we heard were birds. No cuckoos, though—everyone knows cuckoos go to Switzerland! 😛

Hello everyone!

How lucky I—we—are!

For Thailand: Chris from Switzerland and Jojoone For India: Marien and Pagaljavab For Vietnam: Larsay (and others) In short, I’m hooked and can never thank you enough for these fascinating, instructive, yet lively and cheerful travel journals, as well as those stunning photos.

Thanks again for the time you take for us.

Calaf