Since I arrived in Chiang Mai five weeks ago, I've been taking it easy. Life is a long, quiet river that is shared between long walks in the city, culinary discoveries and... foot massages.
But this morning I'm leaving for a journey that will take me I don't know where. We've rented two motorcycles and we'll let the wind take us.
Only my first stop is known, Chiang Rai, located further north, very close to the Burmese border. I chose it because someone is waiting for me there. It's a little cousin, whom I haven't seen for many years, and his charming wife.
Our meeting is perfect. We spend a lot of time chatting about multiple subjects, ranging from fishing, to the effect of the Gulf Stream on climate change, to dry aging of meat compared to vacuum aging. We also take the opportunity to exchange our tips and knowledge about Thailand and... get to know each other again.
The White Temple
Chiang Rai is blessed with a pristine temple, Wat Rong Khun, built by a dreamer of a kind, a great artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat
Kositpipat has decided to dedicate his life to building a temple as an offering to Lord Buddha and he believes that the project will grant him immortality. Construction is still underway and is scheduled to be completed in 2070.
From a distance, it appears to be made of sparkling porcelain, but upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the dazzling effect is achieved through a primer of plaster and mirror chips.
The variety and quality of the works of art is impressive. Such as this waterfall created from scratch by the hand of man.
Before I leave, I throw a few Baht into the wishing well, so that... my life continues as it is. I am privileged to be able to live these adventures and even more, to live them with the perfect companion... for me.
The Goddess of Mercy
I then go to meet Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. Guanyin is a woman, a very rare thing in Buddhism. She is also a bodhisattva, that is to say a Buddhist deity who has reached the highest level of enlightenment, but who delays her entry into Paradise in order to help earthlings.
Her name means "Observer of Voices". It is her limitless compassion that leads her to observe the cries of suffering beings, in order to come and relieve them of their pain.
The blue temple
I end this day of discovery with the blue temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten.
credit: Gilles Roseberry
The creator of this magnificent temple, completed in 2016, took complete freedom by moving away from the conventional style of Buddhist art. He had fun using richly decorated sculptures and psychedelic images.
Finally, I receive my last gift of the day on my way to dinner. Hundreds of swallows fly over the city to devour all the mosquitoes that might have the idea of coming to bite me.
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