Berry's SEAJ trip Day 39: White temple and CR exploration (7/14/15)

Woke up and head to the south side of CR to check out a few things, first of which was the white temple. It is a gorgeous white temple with surrounding buildings to match. The temple has a theme of death to it, which I did not expect since it is white (white = life, black = death), but was a cool surprise. In the main temple, there is a modern painting all over the walls with depictions of the 9/11 attacks, minions, and other paintings you wouldn't expect to be in a temple (the temple is more of an art installation than a place of worship so this makes sense).

Walking towards the main temple and the interesting structures begin. 

Berry loves how beautiful this place is. The main temple has a moat that surrounds it.

Berry is admiring all the different carvings at this temple.

I learned quickly that the white temple was not a temple of life but rather of death. Not what I was expecting.

Getting up to the temple and you must cross the river Styx. Berry is freaking out.

Couldnt take pics inside but this is the top of the bridge before the temple entrance. Berry survived the river Styx.

This was one of a few side temples to explore once done with the main temple.

Berry wanted to stop at the last temple on the grounds before heading out. Such a beautiful area.

Stopped on the way to Singha Park for lunch where the food was good but the iced coffee I got was served in a giant mason jar. Coffee lovers rejoice. Then got to the park where there is a giant gold statue of the Singha symbol out front on a huge lawn. After that I go check out the souvenir shop before entering the park and they have all kinds of interesting consumables made from the produce grown at the park.

Berry wanted an ice coffee with lunch so he got one. 

Berry trying to stare down a golden dragon. Dont think itll end well for him.

Went to the center of Singha park and enjoyed the view.

This park is a working farm where they grow things they then use to make the ingredients in the gift shop. Was nice.

A good panoramic view of the park from this central perch.

Explore what is capable of being explored without the tram (just one road inside the park) to get a glimpse of what the park has to offer before heading down to the Krong Koh waterfall. On the way there, a big rain storm catches me and makes me pull off the road in a little roadside hut to seek shelter and try to dry off a little bit as I am soaked to the bone. After it subsides a little bit, I get to the waterfall, which was a decent hike from the park where I was the only vehicle in the parking lot due to the weather. The waterfall itself is huge and raging, probably from the recent downpour.

We are stranded during a good rain. There were these wood huts along the road that I had to stop at and wait it out. Berry was really glad they had these places to seek refuge. 

View from the shelter of a village. Somewhat secluded.

Made it to the waterfall parking area and this is the lot. We are alone Berry.

Crossing the stream to get to the trail to the waterfall. Had to convince Berry not to swim yet.

We have found the trail head to the waterfall. Time to follow it.

We have found it. This thing was going crazy (probably from the recent rain).

As I was already wet and the color/force of the water coming down doesn't make it appealing to venture into, I opted not to go into the basin of the waterfall. I get back to the bike and head back to the hostel. Head to dinner and grab some bananas for breakfast and a beer for the night and head back to the hostel to chill for the night.

Berry's SEAJ trip Day 38: Riding to Rai (7/13/15)

Woke up and got what I needed for my trip to Chiang Rai and left the rest in the hostel main area. On my way out, I dropped the helmet at the place and get over to the road that'll take me to CR. It is a much easier/friendlier road to be on with a 115cc scooter. Drizzles a little here and there but nothing bad. Pretty views as you go through the mountains and as I vacate the national park that you drive through on that road, there is a geyser in this town with what I assume is a Khmer temple (similar to those of Angkor) and little stores here and there. I eventually make my way to CR and as I don't have specific instructions, I stopped and asked a person at a leather shop how to get to the temple near the hostel (Mercy) and got there soon enough. Check in and put stuff down before going to walk around town a little bit before returning to the hostel to hang out and chill until the night market.

While walking around town, we found a golden round-a-bout.

I walk over to get a massage from Anisara (highly rated and recommended parlor in the city). I was hoping to get my neck worked on and he did, but other aspects were also not my cup of tea; they spend a lot of time working on the feet and calves with some decent force and to me those are areas in need of TLC not the same strength as the back and thighs. Either way, it was a great massage and I then walk to find the night bazaar and the streets are empty. I am not sure if I read the map wrong, if it doesn't happen on the night I was there or what, but I cut my losses and go to a place that is open (my walk did not come across many places still open even though it was not even 8pm yet by now). Starlight has an acoustic guitarist playing some sets and a soccer match on the big screen outside so I get some food and drink and relax there until the end of the game before heading back to the hostel.

Berry's SEAJ trip Day 37: Doi Suthep with a side of rain (7/12/15)

After waking up, we head to Doi Suthep, the main temple that sits on the mountain next to CM. The road up is nice but as we get to the top, it starts looking like it is going to rain. We walk up the steps to the temple as it sprinkles and once we enter the compound, the clouds open up and it starts pouring as everyone seeks shelter.

Base camp for going up to Doi. They have the assisted ascent to the left. We decided to take it the hard way cause Berry likes a good challenge.

Umbrellas galore. Guess we could have picked a better day to come up to the temple on the hill. 

Berry is ready to Rocky these steps! Namely because he believes it is the only way to get away from all the dragons.

RIP people who couldnt make the climb. Just kidding, think these  were names of donors who made this stair case possible. Not sure the reason for the alligator.

Elephant statue at the top. 

We were stuck under this awning with like 100 other people. I so wanted to ring one of those bells and make music but didnt want to be that guy. Some other prick did it (theres a difference between wanting to do something and actually doing it and being the kind of traveler no one wants to be around).

Some tried to brave the elements with their umbrellas. Extremely beautiful scene.

As it clears up, Berry wanted a picture of the bells.

Mini temple on the outskirts of the main grounds. Berry likes meeting all these interesting beasts.

A dragon consuming another dragon. Why not?

That is a mom lizard. The one behind it is the Dad lizard. Assuming they are lizards that is.

Berry wants to be an elephant whisperer. 

Intricate metal decorations in the gold. Bad pic (sorry Berry) but still awesome door entryway.

Little bit better picture of said door way, with a gringo tourist hahah

Little bit better pic of just the top of the door frame.

One of the best alters I have seen yet. Not sure why but definitely one of my favorites.

Then we came upon this overlook.

One of the carving in the wood pillars. 

While up here we found a dragon fly. Probably my favorite insect. So gorgeous they are.

Panoramic view of Mai from the lookout.

Zoomed in view of the city below.

Berry and I share a love of views from mountaintops. 

After the overlook we found this garden area. So naturally we explore.

Berry loving the random bird over his shoulder among all the colors of the flowers.

Love comes in all forms. 

Tulips in the garden. Netherlands, Doi Suthep is coming for you.

We found a resting Buddha under a tree, with a massive crown in front of it with kids playing instruments. Since we made our way around the perimeter, it was time to see the main attraction.

First view aint that bad. BTW, the golden spire is the main part of this temple.

Berry is ready to explore the interior.

Berry enjoying the bookoos of Buddhas.  

One of the alters in the center area.

How does one take all this in. There are stories painted on the walls in magnificent color, many different colors and sizes of Buddhas, carvings on the pillars, oh and giant ivory tusks. Awe-inspiring this room is.

Zoom in of one of the pictures. 

Nightcrawler Buddha?

Postcard ready picture.

Corner of the Doi. If those people werent in the picture, this would be another great one :)

People meditating with the Buddha at a different temple in the complex.That clock in the background though... feel like it doesnt fit in with all this other stuff.

Happy or sad. Taking wagers.

Once it starts letting up, we go explore the temple, which is beautiful inside and out with a huge gold statue in the center of the temple. Certain areas also offer some pretty good views of the city below, which some were hindered at times due to the rain clouds, but still could see quite a bit. After the temple, we got some grub from the area near the temple before heading back down. As we were heading down, the rain started back up and just drenched us. Since we were wet, we just kept going as it did not look to be letting up anytime soon. As we get near the base, it let up so we explored one of the waterfalls and parks near the base of the mountain; apparently there are many different waterfalls and areas to explore throughout the mountain.

A map of the hiking and various attractions to see in this park. Much larger than expected.

Apparently, there is a single manufacturer for national park signs as these look similar to those found in the states.  

Just kids hiding under a rock. Nothing to see here.

Berry loves visiting some waterfalls. 

Beautiful indeed!

After the waterfall, we went back to the hostel and Steph got packed and headed to the train station as I found my way to get some laundry done. I started making preparations for my trip to Chiang Rai, until I met Ryan in the hostel and we went out in search of a Kao Soi that was supposed to be the best in the city, per Epic Mike. We could not find this place and wound up just stopping at a random place in that area and ordering some pretty good food before returning to hostel to drop the bike off and head into the main square to check out the Sunday night market. We get some more food and walk around a bit before checking out Zoe's (the popular bar/club for mixing with travelers) and then deciding Jazz bar is a better scene so I took him there. They had some pretty good music (always do) and stayed for a little bit before heading back to the hostel to call it a night.