Road Trip 2008 - Part 6, Wat Rong Kun

Wat Rong Kun is like no other temple in Thailand. Why? It is an expression of art rather than a place of worship. Hence one may not see monks and their living quarters around.

It is a vision of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat who dedicate this work to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

In his early years, his style of mixing Thai temple art with contemporary interpretation did not gain acceptance readily from the establishments. Persevering through the years to gain recognition and fame consequently is a living legend in the making! Having kick started the project with his own finances, it inspired the public to chip in funding too. Poster suggests donations to no more than Bth10,000 each.

Poster boy Khun Charlermchai himself.





















The magnificent sight of Wat Rong Kun came to sight with visitors streaming in.
















The white symbolize purity of soul I suppose.
















Pond in foreground provides reflections - perhaps for one's own life too!
















White clouds and fountains compliments it all!










































Even the carps in the pond are chosen white to match!
















Beautiful details of its roof.





















Other messages conveyed to visiting public - perils of smoking and acolholism.










































Looking down to hellish hands and skulls off the path leading to the temple hall.





















The serenity of murals and Buddha greets you once reaching the temple hall - just like taking a path to enlightenment!





















Gold, also widely used in decorating temples, offers contrasts. To many it symbolizes wealth but it symbolizes something else to me - its quality in purest form it is most resistant to contamination!





































Not another temple hall! Guess what? It's the toilets!





















Most beautiful toilets I've seen anywhere on earth!
















Show you what's like in the men's loo!





















I had the fortune to see Chalermchai in person tending the ponds.
















He was removing its thick algae growth.
















A young man recognized him too, requesting him for a photo pose.
















It is his life long undertaking now. How many people out there with such spirits? He reminds me of the late Khun Lek who built the The Sanctuary of Truth (North Pattaya), Erawan Shrine and The Ancient City in Samut Prakan.

Road Trip 2008 - Part 5, Phu Chi Fa

Phu Chi Fa is a famous peak in Chiang Rai not to be missed. It means "mountain pointing to sky" literally.

It is located at the edge of border fronting Laos to the east of Chiang Rai city, with driving distance there under 200km.
















Its height provides strategic views around and the peaks are guarded by the military.
































For the thousands who flock here, it is simply for the magic of mountain's beauty! Ascent to the peak from the car park, there is still a steep climb along a 760m trail. At a rest point mid-way, these 2 young ladies cheers everybody on with loudhailer with a song or two. The military offered cotton buds with ammonia to ease breathing difficulties - how kind!
















Post card scenes rewards you after the hard climb.
































Looking up at the peak.. with visitors dotting the peak close to the cliff drop! That's truly the mountain pointing at the sky, isn't it?





































Chilly and windy, such are the magic of Phu Chi Fa!






























































































A hillside community below provides services to travellers.
















A military unit manage the camp ground here - even provides wake up calls over loudhailer at 4.30am!
















Only 4x4s are allowed to the lower reaches of the camp ground. Camp fires started to keep the night warm.





















I chose to drive south towards Ban Huak, a little town close to the Laos border. Only local residents are permitted border crossing here. It is a neat and tidy town with a few charming and colorful shops.































































What a huge hornet nesting up there in someone's backyard!





















Crossing into neighboring Pahyao province further south, this beautiful waterfall came to sight. It looks familiar.. ah yes, it is featured in my motoring atlas! A pleasant surprise.





















To the side of the waterfall, this magnificent tree stands out on its own.





















What a wonderful drive here! I am sure to be back this way again.

I found some really beautiful photo shots of Phu Chi Fa at this site which I am sure you will enjoy.
http://mountainjunkie.multiply.com/photos/album/13/A_morning_at_Phu_Chee_Fah

Road Trip 2008 - Part 4, Mae Sai to Chiang Saen

Mae Sai is a large border town fronting Myanmar with border crossings. The road leads up to the immigration check point is lined withe 3 tiers of street vendors both sides - squeezing road traffic towards Myanmar.
















The whole place was jam packed with people & traffic! Side streets leads to a larger bazaar behind the main street - selling mostly manufactured goods from China. I can appreciate the vibrancy of the market place here - first as a hub for goods going into Myanmar. Prices are half or less that in Bangkok for similar goods plus the fact northern provinces probably has a population base of more than 20 millions!
















Can't resist some hot chestnuts in such cool weather. Oranges were large too.





















A multitude of ethnic races are in the trades here... guess he is a Burnmese (with South Asian features) selling roti.





















An elderly lady selling 'mud-like' pancake baked over charcoal fire. It is actually colored by black sesame seeds - a traditional northern dessert.





















A Chinese lady selling various nuts on the side walk.





















This lady appeared to come from the hill tribes. Oranges prices had doubled hitting the market here.
















A Chinese sits prominently along the main road.

















Songtaew heading into Myanmar tightly packed with passengers, all standing room were taken up.
















Motocycle tuk-tuks are different to those in Bangkok.
















Wandering into side streets, I came across a temple under renovation.
















With so many intricate details, it has been going on for more than year now.





















This artisan has worked on Wat Rong Kun before - another famous temple in Chiang Rai noted for it artistic expressions.
















Looking up at its beautiful roof.


























































Inside the main temple hall, golden statute of Buddha sat below a golden Bodhi tree!





















Leaving Mae Sai, drove through Golden Triangle, a town where Thailand, Myanmar & Laos meet at a point of common borders along the Mekong River. The region is infamous for it opium production now second to Afghanistan. Thailand has over the years help local farmers with crops substitution and its production scale is small now, 288 hectares compared to Laos' 1,600 hectares and Myanmar's 28,500 hectares according to recent UN Drug Agency report. There is a Hall of Opium, a visitor center outside town.












With the holiday crowds I chose not to stop by as the town was jam packed. I content with taking a photo shot while driving through.
















Heading further onwards to the ancient Chiang Saen, with a river port facing Laos across the river. Wow, so many Chinese barges anchored here! Signs in Chinese are seen at port of call - reminding of Bth1,000 fine for littering! I can now understand the significance of the river's role on trade over the centuries. I wondered if the KMT's armies fled here via the river too.
















These steel barges are even quipped with solar water heater and satellite TV dish.
















Smaller good carrying wooden vessels lack such comforts however.
















Across the road is another beautiful temple.
































Naga, the mythological serpent, guards the stairway up to the temple hall.





















Never seen before an elephant head over the torso of a dragon!





















A forest park to the south of Mae Sai provides camp grounds too, a fall back spot to put up for the night.





















Nice feeling to wake up in the morning with mountains all around.
















Heading south towards Chiang Rai city, came through an area producing tiny pineapples. A stall owners obliged for a pose.