CHIANG MAI Day 24

FRIDAY 26th. We laid by the pool most of the morning and then went for a late lunch in Regina’s down by the river. The food was good and we regretted not eating there before. The plan was to take the song tao up to one of the waterfalls close to Doi Suphet (Doi meaning Mountain – a lesson from Kai) but with the heavy Friday afternoon traffic we changed plans and asked for the Arboretum close to the Zoo. When we finally reached our destination our driver thought we were going to the Fitness Park. They were the same place and we were a little disappointed as Nancy Chandler had said there was some nice walks and lovely flowers. To be fair there was a lot of new buildings and newly laid paths and a large toilet block was almost finished to replace the small old fashioned one alongside. We climbed up the embankment spotting a black squirrel on a tree trunk and some large birds which immediately flew off into the denser part. Below was large ponds of stagnant water and where we stood looked like the tipping ground for the gardeners.
Our afternoon was to have a highlight when we were told we could enter the University grounds where there was a large lake – a reservoir actually. The long drive up the campus past a large playing field that was full of different football and rugby teams practising in the late afternoon sunshine. In front of a colourful area of purple bougainvillea by the campus’ Sala Hall was a shrine dedicated to elephants. The whole shrine area was full of different sizes and colours of elephants and in the grassed area the hedge had been created in the shape of a line of elephants walking along each one holding on to the tail of the next by a trunk. The shrine was actually being used as a roundabout.
A keep fit enthusiast asked if we had seen the reservoir and we told him we were just making our way there. “It’s beautiful” he said and he was right. It had been constructed at the foot of the mountains with a walkway round most of it. With the fading light we didn’t walk too far before returning to the newly constructed road where a door less, bumper less and almost seat less tanker was parked up by the modern road laying machine. The wiring was also in a terrible state but I had to laugh as I noticed the driver had left the key in the ignition.
With several song taos parked close to the entrance was asked for one back to the market area. The price was 60 baht so we didn’t argue. We hadn’t gone far when we stopped to pick up a couple of English girls with young baby in a large pushchair and presumably the Thai father. The traffic was worse returning and we hadn’t moved far before another local girl boarded the taxi. It took us 45 minutes to reach our destination by which time my throat felt like sandpaper. The voice is fading fast so Keith is in heaven!
As we went for a late meal at the Antique House we spotted the white rabbit again as we haven’t seen it for a long time. Walking over the footbridge and down by the flower market we were surprised to see how quiet the roads were. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant but one of our favourite singers was performing songs in the style of Cat Stevens with a Labi Sifri voice. I am going to miss our musical accompaniments at home. Returning home a young homeless man had decided to sleep on the road rather than the uneven pavement only his was in the area were the song taos line up and the regular bus to Lampun. His clothes and body was so dirty we had trouble spotting him at first so hope the drivers pay more attention.