After checking into my guest house, Banilah in Chiang Mai, The lovely guest house that provides organic handmade Aloe Vera Soap & Shampoo for guest. Sort out you rubbish for recycling purposes. Talk about being Green, this guest house sure make a good role model.
For more pictures of the guest house, please visit http://www.banilah.com/
I changed into my shorts and begin to explore Chiang Mai. My first stop is Chiang Mai National Museum. Before you start to unravel any country, the best and first stop is always the museum. The history serves a great purpose for the cultural sights you’re about to visit. Thus, here is what I’ve discovered. The known early history of Thailand begins with the earliest major archaeological site at Ban Chiang; dating of artifacts from this site is controversial, but there is a consensus that at least by 3600 BC, the inhabitants had developed bronze tools and had begun to cultivate wet rice, providing the impetus for social and political organization.
The most important Kingdom you need to know for Northern part of Thailand for now is Lanna Kingdom. For more information, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanna
I visited the first wat (temple) in CM, Wat Jet (7) Yod which is 10min walking distance from the Museum. King Tilokarat built the temple in 1455. The temple was probably copied from the design of the Mahabodhi temple in Pagan, which itself was a copy of the Indian temple at Bodhgaya. It had been predicted that Buddhism would decline after 2000 years. King Tilokarat's religious works, as well as those of other Southeast Asian monarchs of the time, make an attempt to prevent this decline.
Wat Jet Yod was the site of the Eighth World Buddhist council in 1477, which revised the Tripitaka (Buddhist canon and teachings) The temple gets its name from the seven chedis - jet yod - which sit on top of the old viharn. An arched tunnel at the center contains a seated Buddha image. Three chedis stand in the spacious grounds. The largest contains the ashes of King Tilokarat. The small ubosot nearby has a fine carved wood gable.
In most Thai temple, they usually feature the 7 days Buddha. Certain events in the Life of the Buddha are thought to have occurred on certain days. People, who are born on a certain day of the week, may be most interested to know the different Buddha Image corresponding to that day. What's interesting is that whenever you insert coins to your respective day donation box. A chanting of the prayer will play from the speaker. Since I'm a Saturday baby, I'm happy to get some blessing from the Saturday Buddha in my first day of Chiang Mai. ;) See the Buddha with the 7 serpent heads, that's the Sat Buddha.
For your character analysis on the day you were born, please visit http://www.thaioregon.com/wat/buddha.htm
After the fabulous events of my rewarding day, I did a little shopping in Central Shopping Mall, which is 20mins walk away from my guest house. Just as the time in CM are more laid back, I decided to catch a Thai Movie, Friendship by this actor, Mario Maurer. It's a sappy love story. The plot of the movie is good enough to make anyone shed tears. Thai movie never fail to amaze me or should I say make me cry. Thinking about it right now makes me want to cry thus if you have a chance please do catch this movie.
In conclusion, the first day of CM lives up to my expectation. The ambience of my guest house is cozy. I love the balcony beside my private toilet. Not to mention, the TV that plays 24hr Thai MTV. It's denfinetly worth staying!The strong Lanna culture still lingers on in this prosperous town. I’ve yet to visit the special mention sights from my guide book.
Till then, time out!
KN
P/S: More photos will be uploaded in future.
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