Chiang Mai - Friday, Feb 10

 We began the day with the most wonderful breakfast buffet.We are so enjoying the luxury of this hotel.

Eight a.m. And we're back on the bus for our first temple complex of the day (in truth, this may be the only temple today.  Up a tortuous hill with many twists and turns to Pratart Boi Suthep, the most important shrine here.

On the way Tim explains how this shrine was sited to hold relics of Lord Buddha, a story this includes a white elephant.  And she explains about the spirit houses we see everywhere. Almost every structure in Thailand, from homes to hotels, have a spirit house with offerings to the spirits who inhabit that piece of land.

The shrine is at the very, very top, and the last distance includes a funicular.  Again, you have never seen so much gold and so many devout saying prayers, consulting with a monk and making merit.

Hooray, hooray we were able to opt out of shopping tours this afternoon and will catch up and rest in our most gorgeous suite before our Thai massage at 4 p.m.

Then this evening we have a Kantoke dinner and show including classical Thai dance.  Of course we will take more photos.  There is so much I want to remember.