Wat Phrathat Doi Sithep

Day 90 of Our Winter:  We rallied the forces and went to the mountain temples just outside of Chiang Mai.  Jay and I really weren't sure if we had visited this temple during our very first visit to Thailand in 1991. It is in the mountains that ring that side of the city.  I'm pretty sure we must've used a rented scooter to travel the 15 kms out of town the first time. Today, I wouldn't dare threading two wheels through the non-stop traffic of Chiang Mai in 2026!  The road was well paved but full of switchbacks and loops.

Today, the sisters were up to the effort and we took a a/c Grab rideshare vehicle both ways.  We matched up the nagas (serpents) along the stairway with an old, scanned photograph and determined we had, indeed, visited thirty five years ago.  This time we took up a funicular rather than trying attempt the hike up in the hot midday sun.  

The day was a bit hazy but we could see the city which must be much larger than the footprint of the city the first time in the city.  There were lots of locals and tourists at the top and it was an immensely interesting morning.  Even with all the tourists, may of whom probably used hiking trails, it maintained a religious atmosphere.

Jay and I walked out at dusk to get dinner.  We stopped again at the Grill of Punjab for rota, dosa, and nan.  We have been a little 'rice and noodled out' in Thailand and bread and a curry seemed like a perfect little dinner.  We went near the Tha Phae Gate just to enjoy the action that this side of the old city enjoys.