This week the air miraculously cleared thanks to some early rain (usually it doesn't rain here until April!), so I took advantage of the respite to hike around Wat Phalad, a temple about half way up from Doi Suthep, only a few miles outside Chiang Mai. It doesn't look like much from the parking lot. There is a temple building with a large Buddha and meditation room. It is pretty standard.
But if you look for them, you can find two trails down the mountain on either side. The one to the left just leads to some living areas, but the one on the right (if you are facing the temple) takes you down to the hidden section of Wat Phalad.
It is an eclectic collection of buildings and statues tucked away along the mountainside. There is a stream running down through the edge and a hiking trail on the other side.
I didn't hike all the way down, but if you know where to park, you can actually start further down the mountain and hike up. I drank in the mountainside as I hiked--it had been a long time since I'd really been outside because of the air!
Back at Wat Phalad, the view is beautiful and the statues are wonderful.
It is one of those places that looks a little strange, even run-down or disappointing when taken in all at once, but when you stop to look at each part individually, it transforms into something really amazing.
I loved this temple. I loved the constant chatter of birds, the cheery creek sounds, the wild and gorgeous jungle.
I loved the peaceful hiddenness of it. It was only a couple hours of my morning, but it was an incredible way to start the day and made me feel so grateful to be alive and to be here in Thailand. It was just one more reason to love this place.
Here are a few more of my favorites from the morning:
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