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Showing posts from January, 2010

Chiang Mai Day 1: Temple Spotting and the Sunday Walking Street

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Chiang Mai has over 300 Buddhist temples, or Wats, so on our first day we put on our walking shoes and set off to see what all the fuss was about. Our first stop was Wat Phra Singh, one of the most venerated Wats in Chiang Mai, to check out some classical northern Thai architecture . After this, we headed north to visit Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. Wat Phra Singh . According to Thai culture, the feet are the dirtiest part of the body. Therefore, one's feet should never point towards Buddha upon entering the temple. The feet should always remain below Buddha's head, as the head is thought to be the most sacred part of the body. This means no handstands, cartwheels, or back flips in front of Buddha. The staircase ascending to the Bot, or the ordination hall housing the Buddha, is flanked with sea serpents known as Nagas. According to Buddhist scripture, this creature guarded Buddha while he was meditating. This large dome shaped struct

On our way to Thailand!

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On the bus to the airport, it finally sinks in that we are going to Thailand. I always give Dave the window seat because he likes clouds... and he takes beautiful pictures like this.

Tainan, Taiwan

Day 1: Floats and Food on a Stick Day 2 Confucius Temple and Chikan Towers Day 3: Anping District