Black House, White Temple

We've been exploring Northern Thailand for the past week starting in Chiang Mai and venturing to Chiang Rai!

After the Elephant Park, we got dropped back off in Chiang Mai city for one more night in a lovely hotel, before heading on a 3 hour bus ride the next day to Chiang Rai.

Thailand is one of those countries that everyone travels to and now I know why - it's affordable, the people are friendly, the food is great, and there's beautiful scenery with plenty of things to do (and we haven't even hit the islands yet!).

Kiel's plate of Pad See Ew and my Pad Thai cost only $1.20 USD each at the local night market in Chiang Mai. It was so good that we just had to go back another night. *Not pictured: a fresh fruit smoothy for .60 cents!

On our very windy and curvy bus ride.

Chiang Rai is a more relaxed, provincial town compared to that of Chiang Mai. There doesn't seem to be as many good food options here, but we were able to find a Westernized place with pretty tasty pizza, as well as a local street food spot where we thoroughly enjoyed Khao Soi, a Northern Thailand curry noodle dish, while sitting on little stools in front of the Golden Clock Tower.

We also came across a restaurant called "SanFran Burger & Beer" and a Swensen's, where I had to get my ice cream fix, but it just wasn't the same as the one in SF.

Chiang Rai's Golden Clock Tower

We visited Wat Rung Khun, the remarkable and intricate White Temple styled more as an art exhibit with Buddhist influences, designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. 

We crossed over a bridge where hundreds of hands that represented temptation, greed, and unrestrained desire outreached from below. Once we made it to the "gate of heaven", we stood in front of the main hall, which is all white to represent Buddha's purity and adorned with mirrored mosaic pieces to reflect his wisdom.

Inside the hall or the Ubosot (no photos were allowed), were painted images of traditional Buddha and mythical creatures, juxtaposed with pop culture and modern day political references and hidden messages.

It was certainly a site to behold and we really enjoyed the artists work.

Underneath an umbrella of hanging prayer plates.

The gold symbolizes how people focus on worldly desires and money

Love all the colors at the shopping stalls!

We also ventured to Baan Dam, the Black House by artist Thawan Duchanee, who portrayed an interesting interpretation of Buddhist philosophy through his buildings and artwork. The concept was very eclectic, a little dark and quite thought provoking. 

And...our first tuk tuk ride in Thailand...