Story / 04 Dec 2016 / 0 COMMENTS

Wandering Inside Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong

We were on our last stretch back to Chiang Mai having crossed Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand, by scooter.

As we slowly descended to lower elevations the air became heavier and warmer. We also grew hungry after not having had anything to eat for the entire day.

UP ON TOP OF DOI INTHANON, THAILAND’S HIGHEST PEAK
MAKING OUR WAY DOWN
FARMERS WORKING ON THE FIELDS

I remembered seeing a map that marked a little town with a picture of a temple, so we turned on to the main road and headed there without any expectations. Upon arriving at the temple we spotted a noodle shop selling traditional boat noodles. The smell of the broth mixed in with fresh coriander is what got us to pick the place and we wholeheartedly devoured those noodles within minutes.

From the outside this temple looked like any other in Northern Thailand, but once you stepped inside is when you realise that this one is special.

THE GOLDEN PAGODA INSIDE THE TEMPLE COURTYARD
ONE OF THE ORNATELY DECORATED BUILDINGS WITHIN THE TEMPLE
A LARGE COLLECTION OF BUDDHA STATUES CAN BE FOUND IN THE MAIN BUILDING
THE BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED CEILING IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHTS

We wandered around silently from room to room always looking up at the most stunningly decorated ceiling I had seen. Golden patterns were shimmering in between the dark wooden ceiling, whilst the noise of the fans drowned out the prayers of the pilgrims.

A BUDDHA STATUE IN THE POSE OF A BEGGING MONK
THE CEILING IN ONE OF THE BACK ROOMS
YOU CAN STARE AT THIS CEILING FOR HOURS

I was drifting in sheer wonder when a temple worker approached me and brought me back to reality.

“Hi man! Do you know what time it is?” He asked!

“Uhmm” I mumbled off guard and fumbled with my phone

“3pm” I finally replied

“Thanks man” he said and walked off to talk to a monk, whilst I was thinking about the time.

“3pm!” I said to myself.”

“Damn, it’s that late already? We need to go!”

So we left the temple with a dark cloud looming behind us, as we made our way up north to Chiang Mai.

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