And finally

Temple sounds

Way back I promised further comment about the huge PA system I'd noticed at the wat up the hill in Mae Hong Son.  There was a reason for the size of that sound system, well, maybe explanation is more apropos than reason.  At different times during the day (and night) a heavily amplified male voice speaking was heard, pretty much blanketing the entire town and environs.  This talking would go on for long periods, maybe half and hour or more, with breaks during which very boring music would play, usually a female voice accompanied by a stringed instrument.  That would go on for a while, then the talking would resume.  I'd assumed this was coming from the wat across the lake, it was so loud.  But when I went outside and listened to where it was coming from I discovered it originated at the wat up on the hill, hence that PA system.  It might blast early in the morning (5:00am) late at night (midnight) or any times in between.  These videos aren't of that particular wat but gives the idea: 

https://youtu.be/4ay5sBxFBYU

https://youtu.be/5eWdfHgMbq0

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My last day was among the hottest of my stay reaching 34C with about 60% humidity but, you know, I think I've managed to adapt despite my initial misgivings.  Sometimes I'd reach a point when the reality of how hot it was would hit me and all I could say was "damn, it's hot" and either forget about it or do something about it, like getting wet or finding a fan and a cold drink.  

I got a reality check after the first leg of my return trip this morning in Beijing where it was close to freezing and there was snow.  I emerged from the plane in my tee shirt and, holy sh#t!  and the airport was only marginally warmer than outdoors.  Pretty soon my hands were going numb and I found myself longing for that warmth.  

I've realized too that I've felt quite good physically during my time in Thailand.  The arthritis in my hands hasn't bothered me so much and I feel pretty vital.  I've also been feeling good spiritually, recommitted to doing the things that I know foster that.  Seems to be in the air in Thailand.  

Winging now to Vancouver, a 15 hr flight after a 10 hr layover in Beijing where I rented a little box of a hotel room by the hour in the airport.  

When planning this trip, I had contemplated going into Beijing and seeing some sights since I had time.  It's very easy to enter China on a short term visit like this and, in fact, one can arrange tours and see the city or the Great Wall.  But I didn't make any arrangements and when it came down to it, was glad I hadn't.  I stepped off the airplane to the tarmac in my tee shirt and was startled to encounter an icy blast and snow on the ground! With only a long sleeved shirt, I wouldn't have survived long.  In any case, I was just as glad for the little, warm hotel room and a few hours of sleep, expensive though it was.  Then the ultimate pleasure of having a row to myself on the plane! After a sumptuous dinner (gave a whole new meaning to Chinese food) with complementary wine,  I stretched out and read until I fell asleep, comfortably.   Those poor suckers in first class.  

Now only a bus and ferry ride to Victoria and that's it.  Been a heck of a trip.  Thanks for joining me.

And more

Here's Chediview, the excellent guesthouse where I stayed in Chiang Mai.  

Perspective from the balcony outside my front door.  Nice place to hang out and read, write or play guitar, or just sit.

          The communal kitchen.  I didn't use it much but it was very clean and well equipped.

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A Scooter study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiH-CUSjHdw

Baan Phor Liang Meun Terra-cotta Arts Garden

Just a block away from Chediview was Baan Phor Liang Meun Terra-cotta Arts Garden.  I'd passed this place numerous times and people at the guesthouse recommended it so, on my last day I stopped in and was not disappointed. There are two parts to the business across the street from each other, one where terra cotta pieces are displayed and sold, 

 

 

the other side of the street 

where there is a little cafe and pieces set up amid a beautiful garden. 

 

Wait, there's more

During my last couple of days in Chiang Mai, I revisited some of the places I'd particularly liked, did my final Christmas shopping at the Sunday night walking street market and the Warorot Market market, largest in Chiang Mai, 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fF_4BtH2_c

splurged on restaurants (by Thai standards, cheap by Canadian) and enjoyed cycling around the circuit of little alleyways called sois that thread through the old town.  

No matter how crazy the traffic is on the major streets, it's usually pretty quiet on the sois and fun to follow them just to see where they go.  It doesn't take too long to become familiar with the network. 

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The temple that I liked best around Chiang Mai was Wat Palat, the one on the slopes of Doi Suthep reached by cycling to the end of Suthep Road and hiking up through the forest for about 40 minutes.  After working up a major sweat on the way, the coolness up there at the wat was most refreshing as was the tranquility.  A nice respite from the heat and bustle of the city.  I made this trek twice in the last three days of my stay, sitting on the rocks just breathing, lulled by the music of the stream that cascades down the rocks.  

A few of the critters flitting about