CHIANG MAI Day 6

MONDAY 8th and we spent a lazy morning by the pool with newcomers before setting out to walk around the moat dividing the old part of the city from the new and began along the river and passing the American Embassy once again. Our route took us by so many Wats, many not marked on our map. There was only one where we couldn’t gain admittance and we think that was because some celebrations are taking place during the next three days so we will return tomorrow.
We stopped to admire work being done on a float by one section of the moat and met the man in charge. Each area builds a float ready for the Lantern Festival , and that includes a parade around the city with many lanterns in many shapes and forms. We saw samples of these along our route today especially a collection of elephants in all colours. These objects look so delicate I wonder if at the end of the Festival they too are set alight – we shall just have to wait and see. It’s nice seeing all the preparations taking place and we are getting used to the fireworks even though I noticed a line of tourists jump a mile as someone set off bangers behind a large hoarding.
Our walk was to finish at the large temple ‘Wat Phra Singh’ (nothing to do with the Singha Brewery although by the time we reached this temple we were ready for a beer!) We had walked by some interesting places such as the Malaria Centre but moved on quickly as we didn’t want any of that. We watched men moving very large ornate wooden crates on short legs in a lock up next to a few stalls displaying large funeral wreaths on stands and discovered the boxes were Chinese coffins and again we moved swiftly on.
We had hoped to stop at the Theakston bar on ‘Walking Street’ but it was closed. However a little further along found a large bar open with a trio of musicians having a much needed rehearsal. We only stayed for the one drink as we couldn’t stand the music. Arriving home we found our Aussie neighbour still lazing by the pool whilst keeping the white rabbit company, the rabbit having put in an appearance whilst we were talking to the new arrivals from Holland.
I have been informed that we have another gecko on our balcony so please could I watch where I am putting my feet! Keith is referring to a little incident I had on our second day here when we had returned home in the evening. Taking off my sandals to replace them with a pair of the disposable slippers provided by the establishment I began to walk across our highly waxed wooden floor thinking ooh that was a bit lumpy. Looking round I found I had trod on our baby gecko. Thankfully it was okay which really surprised me but then I had lost a lot of weight in China so guessed that helped. Keith came to see what I had done by which time the poor thing wasn’t moving. A little nudge of the foot didn’t bring any reactions and getting down for a closer look announced it had died! Getting a tissue he picked it up and chucked it in the garden stating that nature would take care of it! We walked over to the area by the flower market following the river downstream looking for a suitable restaurant. New deliveries of flowers were being transported from pickup trucks into the stalls all of the bundles of chrysanthemums wrapped in old newspaper whilst the head of the roses were covered in a thick net of white soft plastic. With the evening heat the smell from lilies perfumed the air – lovely. We came across the ‘Antique House’ which looked inviting and as we looked at the menu on the stand by the entrance heard the sound of local musicians coming from inside. It was busy but plenty of room and we were shown to a glass top table for two, the base being an old treadle sewing machine. The chair I was sitting on was very high and so only the tips of my toes reached the floor – I would have been better sitting in Keith’s place as his chair was much lower. The choice of food was excellent and as we ate our fishes, one fried the other steamed, we listened to the local music, then a lovely guitarist singer who sang all our favourite ballads and finally a man who was better at playing the guitar than singing but not bad really as he was beginning to improve as we left. More fireworks, and more lanterns, and young couples sitting on the footbridge seemed quite romantic.