A Postcard from Chiang Rai

Following granny's suggestion in May, we take a vacation and visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai in early July and check some of the features against April's clear dream. Most is as reported, although the hands mentioned below are raised in demand rather than what we thought was offer. The female figure dreamed in the ubosot (the main structure) is absent; an artifact from another generation, granny later tells us, but one still persisting in this adjacent place. But the large golden male Buddha is there, reassuring all in silent bliss, situated on a raised, red-carpetted platform; an even bigger portrait on the wall behind.

The White Temple at Wat Rong Khun

In our hotel room that afternoon, I'm stuck for ideas for the sightseeing tomorrow. April soon becomes quiet and I channel hop for a while. Eventually, she tells me her grandmother has just recommended a place called Doi Inthanon. There, apparently, a challenge awaits us both. I search online and it turns out Doi Inthanon is a national park, high up in the mountains, a few hours from our hotel. I go downstairs to the tour desk and reserve two places. When we arrive at the summit the next day, April is confronted with her challenge - steady rain, a stiff breeze and a temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius: more like Guildford in February than Manila or Singapore in July. My challenge comes later that afternoon; a sudden, sharp pain in my scalp as we regard an immense waterfall when we make our way back down. I've been stung; anthophila, granny rather correctly informs April that evening, otherwise known as the common bumble bee. The discomfort eventually passes and we joke about the day and express our thanks for the tip.