January 13, Tuesday – Chiang Mai – Umbrella Factory – Wat Rong Khun – Overland to Chiang Rai

Accommodations: Wiang Inn Hotel

This morning after breakfast, we left for Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province. It has a close proximity to Laos and Myanmar, forming the famed Golden Triangle.

Our first stop was the umbrella factory. This was an unplanned stop, but one Are thought we’d enjoy. He was right! It was very interesting to watch each step of the umbrella making process – all done by hand – take place. The beautiful umbrellas were being created in a myriad of vibrant colors. One group of ladies was assembling a huge order in a vibrant pink to be sent to a client in the states.

The ladies who work at the factory have been working there for years. They don’t make much money for their labors, but what they don’t receive monetarily, they make up for with socializing with their friends as they work. One lady has worked at the factory for 50 years and she said the place is like family and a much better alternative to sitting home alone. The work is delicate and takes skill, but sadly, most of today’s youth are not interested in learning the techniques needed to make these beautiful umbrellas.

After leaving the umbrella factory, we had a rather long drive and then stopped for lunch. Even though the drive was long, the scenery was lovely and the time flew by. We ate outdoors and the feast that was presented…all Thai favorites…was unbelievably tasty. We all said we definitely ate way too much, but it was so good.

After lunch we drove to the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). I was afraid I would not be allowed in because you have to remove your shoes and for me with my foot, that wasn’t going to work, because going barefoot at this point isn’t the best. Are spoke to the guard on my behalf and explained my plight and since I had brought booties to cover my sneakers, they let me in. People take off their shoes in temples as a sign of respect and humility. You are leaving the dirty mundane world behind to enter a clean and sacred place and you are recognizing the temple as holy ground. I was so happy that I had thought to order booties before we left, and at least in this temple, they agreed to admit me because of them.

Wat Rong Khun, is quite the site to behold. It is very contemporary, and glistens in the sunlight. The temple is made of concrete with a wooden roof. Viewed from a distance, it has a dazzling effect against the blue sky, mainly because of the whitewash used on the surface as well as the thousands and thousands of little mirrored chips that are embedded into the concrete, that catch the sun’s rays and sparkle.

Construction on the temple began in 1997 by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Before you walk into the temple, you have to cross a bridge with a pit below filled with reaching hands which is supposed to symbolize souls reaching up from hell. Then, when you step inside, you have gone from hell into heaven. Once inside, you cannot go back outside that same way. The symbolism being… you are leaving hell behind. Inside the temple is a blend of Buddhist art as well as contemporary art, featuring Michael Jackson, Harry Potter, minions, cartoon characters, and many more icons of pop culture. The mural depicting the pop culture is controversial since many people believe it has no place in the religious temple. But the artist wanted to make a statement on modern life: human greed and the struggle between good and evil. He also wanted to illustrate Buddhist teachings in a way young people would understand. We were not allowed to take photos inside the temple.

Kositpipat considers the temple to be an offering to Lord Buddha and he believes the project will give him immortal life. Today his work is ongoing, and expected to be finished by 2070. When completed, the white temple compound will have nine buildings. We walked around the compound and saw the beautiful flowers and the buildings that are currently being built.

After our temple visit, we drove the rest of the way to our hotel. The hotel is in a prime location: everything you could possibly need is situated within two or three blocks.

We all went out to dinner at a local restaurant and we ordered the restaurant’s signature dish – pork with spices and lots of ginger. It was delicious.

After dinner, Allan and I walked through the streets where venders were setting up shops. I bought some lovely gauzy summer pants which will be great for traveling and for the summer. They each cost 100 baht…or 3 US dollars!! Two pairs of well-made summer pants for 6 dollars! What a deal!!!