Yes, another Wat

Last night it rained buckets.  Monsoon-like rain.  Came on suddenly and created a din on the roof but cooled things off nicely.  Until morning.

I'm afraid that, despite assurances that I'd not overburden you with wats, they are just too varied, beautiful and ubiquitous to not include more.  A couple of the people staying here at Chediview where I'm staying raved about Wat Pha Lat located at a waterfall up on Doi Suthep reached by a short hike up through the forest.  So today I made that my goal.  I cycled to the end of Suthep Rd where it starts to ascend up the mountain.  

Roadside Shrine

The way became steeper and steeper and I walked the bike the last few hundred meters dripping in sweat until I reached the trailhead.  Leaving the bike, I headed up the trail and was grateful for the shade of the forest.  After about a half an hour I came to the wat and, yes, it was worth the effort.  

A scattering of building were nestled in the forest and a lovely stream cascaded down a rocky slope with pools built to capture the water.  

The slight elevation and shade made for much cooler temps and I gratefully dangled my feet in the water and relished the respite from the heat.  Then wandered around the site admiring that lovely temple architecture, flowers and butterflies.

A tree stump room

 

 I stayed up there for a few hours before descending into the heat of the city again where I stopped for lunch at the legendary Pun Pun vegetarian restaurant located on the grounds of Wat Suan Dok.  It lived up to it's reputation and I had probably the best massaman currey ever.  Sorry, no photo.  Then I spent a long time at the humongous 7 or 8 story Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall looking for a replacement for my broken razor.  There was a very upscale north American style grocery store catering the the 90,000 some expats.   

Stay tuned for elephants