The songthaew ride took up west out of the Old City to a touch of “home”-or at least Western culture at its best...The London Tea Room!
Easy to find by the red booth right at the sidewalk!
Loved their “open” sign.
Felt very much like a tea shop from home or England. Lots of chintz and photos and framed news clippings about the Queen.
Miss Martha, the best tour guide-Thai hostess ever!!
Beautifully embroidered tablecloths under glass for the tables.
However the sign in the toilet reminds you that, yes, you are still in Asia. Look closely...you’ll figure it out. : )
This photo is for my Grad TRAK! Buddies! He’s everywhere...even in Chiang Mai! I would think the Thai people would love the colors of Van Gogh.
Another songthaew ride...
...that dropped us off in front of this huge wat and statue of the Buddha. It’s hard to see its immense size from the photo, but it’s all very big.
Notice the mourning bunting (for the King) on the sign naming the wat.
As we walked toward our next destination, I thought this was a perfect picture to show the huge number of motorbikes parked everywhere.
This was our next destination...they have a small 2nd hand shop...and of course, I needed to go thrift shopping in Thailand! Free Bird Café is part of one of Chiang Mai’s most well-known not-for-profit charities, Thai Freedom House. It’s a non-government, not-for-profit community language and arts learning center in Northern Thailand. It assists Burmese refugees and Indigenous people of Northern Thailand, through teaching Thai and English language and culture, and acts as a resource center for the community. They also provide necessities like mosquito nets, beds, and clothing to construction camp workers in Chiang Mai. We didn’t eat there, though I see from reviews the food is good. I did, however, find a small bowl with the Thai traditional red/black chicken on it to bring home for my kitchen windowsill. : )
Back into a songthaew and around the city and back down to the south side. I can’t remember if this is the north east or south east corner we drove by. : )
And the last item on our list before finishing the day by walking home was a Thai foot massage! First I had my feet washed. Being Brethren, where we wash feet as part of our communion service as Jesus did at the last supper, any kind of footwashing takes on a special significance. I felt very humbled.
After washing my feet, the woman took Indira and I back into a nice calm room and served us tea. Then an hour of foot and calf massage including the reflexology pressure points on my feet and toes. A mix of very restful and therapeutic pressure. Very firm hands. Much appreciated. 200 baht...less than $6. Indira had a neck and shoulder massage officially, but she got a pretty good all over kneading.
We had suggested American food for supper, and Martha told us that Tee had suggested before we came that they take us to their favorite pizza place. She told him she didn’t think we’d be interested, so Tee is getting a great kick out of our going out for pizza at...
...Duke’s. All the building needed was flower baskets and it could be placed in New Orleans!
We got two small pizzas and two salads...a Greek and a Caesar (with bacon, of course)...and couldn’t finish it all. I took it back to our fridge, where I thought it would make a great breakfast for the next morning. : ) And it did!
And Tee won’t let Martha forget that he had the “best” idea after all!
A walk, a songthaew ride and back to our guest house and the joy of a hot shower with the instant hot water machine. Made me a happy girl.
And that ends our Day in the Old City and a Bit Beyond,
Part 2.
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