the temple and the flower market

walking to the flower market we are getting checked out

by this protector deity

rain drops pearl of the frangipani flowers

the small chinese temple at the entrance

lots of varieties

some I have not seen

some grow at the North coast of NSW

there are apparently over 60000 different orchids

Did you know the word orchide comes from the Latin

orchus, which means testicles. Well that 

is very far fetched

lovely packages of cigars with beetle nut matches etc

an old building in a temple, where the ground is

covered in sand. What a big sand pit

last day in Chiang Mai

It is always a special place, this temple by the river

where the mirror and the original fuse

birds sit in the laps of dakinies(?)

where water poores out of the hair of nymphs

and the temple wall looks back at you

just wandering about

opposite a very swish hotel - a small street stall with a Tuktuk

driver having his breakfast

 a place of contrasts

a fallen leaf with a buddha image, which appeared

like a mirage

very pucker colonial guard

swish hotel view

pool by the muddy river Ping

a dragon descending stairs

homage on a bridge to the rats

and amongst shops of hardware, tuktuk repair shops

 and timber yards a treasure cave

a mix of Thai and Burmese sculptures

they arrange shipping

all the way to your door

another antique place

and my favorite colour

back in Chiang Mai

at the night market again

an amazing amount of colour and variety

Food and crafts. How about this big blob of jelly made

of some Chinese herb

wood crafts - done to perfection

funny painted nik naks

Have a dog wash for 60 cents or turn 

heads around with this cool hill tribe gear

 Candle holders with carvings of the negative

image - like lighting up the emptiness

'Form is emptiness

Emptiness is form'

Bodhi leaves with Ganesh 

Have your hat woven on the spot out of coconut leaves

Embroidered baby shoes - for $3 - exquisite!

Amuletes encased in what looks like drift wood or old fence posts

Which sandals go the furthest?

Mime with live music

a dancing swirl

buddha watches the dealings and whealings going on

and young monks get donations for the temple

Pai again

the mountains looked much clearer than the on the way up

the hill tribe girls keep at a safe distance from the tourists

the velvet costumes look beautiful and comfortable

vista from the misty hill from a few days ago. It is cool and windy

relaxing on the verandah by the river

at the evening market

we got some bags from this very quiet girl

she sells poodle costumes

a boutique with colourful handycrafts

last year this view was of a brown cracked landscape,

hazy smokey and hot

stop ath the pankled coffee shop on the way to Chiang Mai

looking at the gorgeous glossy Thai art magazines

and the friendly staff

we made it back exactly on time, 

to return the car on the dot of 10 AM