It is great to be back at Payap in Chiang Mai and getting more settled into my new lifestyle here. The weather has been wonderful so far: reaching the 80s and sunny during the day and cool enough to use a light blanket at night. This weekend we got the chance to do some exploring in and around the city. On Saturday night we got to check out the local nightlife and even found Thailand's own version of Java. (For those who don't know, Java is the St. Lawrence University on-campus concert venue that features bands from the region ranging from funk to reggae...with LOTS of great dancing and friends.) Thailand's equivalent is called Roots, Rock & Reggae and is filled with both locals and foreigners who are looking for a mellow bar scene filled with great music and plenty of dancing room. After a semi-late night of dancing we woke up early Sunday to do some exploring.
First we visited Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which is said to be one of the holiest Buddhist temples in northern Thailand. The temple is located on top of Doi Suthep mountain, which is protected by the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, and the very fast and twisty drive up was quite stomach wrenching. After visiting the temple we made our way to a local quarry that some Thai students showed us. There we jumped off three different cliffs: 2 about 40 feet high, and one around 25 feet. It was so great to be swimming and basking in the sun (especially thinking about how cold it is back home) with some great friends.
Doi Suthep temple
Dad-check out all these orchids!
holding up a VERY large gong
the quarry
Andrew doing a flip
(both guys on top are over 6 feet tall for size reference)
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