Day 3 [Jan 6]

Wednesday was a great mid week break for us. Without any scheduled research, we took the opportunity to explore Chiangmai and enjoy the attractions it has to offer. For me, what was most appreciated was the opportunity to slow down the pace of an otherwise rather packed itinerary so far.

The first stop for our R&R schedule was the famous Doi Suthep temple. Although it was not my first time visiting the temple, its beauty and serenity did not fail to amaze me again. When I entered the main temple area, I instantly caught the heavy scent of burning incense and my eyes started to smart a little from the smoke. The clatter of wooden sticks against a receptacle caught my attention – ah! someone’s asking the gods to foretell their fortune. Many believers could be seen moving around the temple with flowers and incense in their hands, fervently saying their prayers. The experience brought an unexplained sense of calmness and serenity within me. I closed my eyes, stood in front of a huge Buddha and said a silent prayer for myself and my family.

As we explored the temple grounds, I spotted a monk sitting inside one of the prayer rooms. We went in and chatted with him. We asked him for his views about temples in Chiangmai having evolved to become tourist attractions rather than just a place for worship. He responded that both purposes can co-exist if there is respect for the place of worship. Besides, allowing tourists into the temple grounds is a way of spreading the religion and will also help with defraying some of the temple’s maintenance cost. He went on to say that the areas for the public and the monks are well segregated and hence their prayer and meditation times are not disturbed. Indeed, this arrangement is certainly a win-win for everyone and I admire how forward thinking the management of the temple is in running the Doi Suthep.

Our next stop was a local youth park. Niche cafes and shops are targeted at the youths, creating a vibrant youth scape in Chiangmai. In my opinion, such provision is welcoming and a necessity as a city should never only keep to the old which will render it irrelevant one day. Although a city’s heritage, tradition and culture must be preserved, development is a necessity for the growing youth population lest they leave for more developed places that would suit them better. The highlight of the day for me was the spectacular Huey Kaew Waterfall situated near the Youth Park. Although we had to trek up some distance to get to the falls, it was well worth our effort as the waterfall was indeed a sight to behold. Both the locals and tourists alike, gawked and soaked in the mist sprayed from the falling waters. We took off our footwear and soaked our feet in the cool and pristine waters, while watching the sun setting in the distance. I felt instantly relaxed and savoured the moment. Life in Singapore is often hectic for many of us and such moments are great opportunities of much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle. I could feel my tiredness being swept away into the water through my feet! That’s why I enjoy travelling – it allows me to relax and recharge, gain new experiences and develop more varied perspectives in life situations.

Huey Kaew Waterfall, Chiangmai

In the evening, we headed to the night market. May, our CMU attached student, brought us to the student night market opposite CMU. Our group had a lovely time, bonding over “mookata” which is like a combination of a steamboat and a grill. The visit to the student night market offered a peek into some aspects of the local students’ lives – what they do when they hang out, what they eat, their fashion preferences, what kind of music they are into, etc. As I observed the local students milling around the night market, I gathered that while we seem to have common interests with the Thai youths, we are also different in many ways due to our economic status, education and exposure.