This weeks trip out with Ally was more of a work day as I was visiting many establishments around Chiang Mai trying to find Sponsors and collection box locations, for The Stratton ABC Foundation, in and around Chiang Mai.
Still there was some early interest factor to the trip as we headed into the city via the River road from Sarapee. The recent heavy rains continue to turn the River Ping into a swirling brown torrent that clearly has its benefits for the people who live along its banks.
At a bend in the river we spotted some fishermen and ladies using nets on long bamboo, close to a canal outlet into the river.
When I stopped to take photos one of the men eagerly pointed me towards a huge fish, caught earlier, being held on the end of a rope.
Later, just before we took Coffee at Vittoria Coffee, opposite Wiang Kum Kam, Ally took me to the riverside at a weir point, where we saw the full force of the river in action.
We also came across a group of chickens;
including this stylish fellow.
Part of the work day included a trip To Wararot Market area, on a search for collection boxes. Our search didn’t find what I was looking for but its always fun to visit Wararot, so many different stores, so much colour and atmosphere.
After visiting many different places I counted the day as a success having acquired 4 new sites for our collection boxes and having had our first offer of monthly sponsorship by a prominent local company. More details will appear soon on The Stratton ABC Foundation website once all the boxes are located and sponsorship details finalised.
Our start point was Wat Pang Yuu, which you will find by taking the Hang Dong turn off Highway 11, the one that actually carries on to Samoeng. The Temple is on the left with the entry road being just before the river bridge.
Ally informed me that, although it was not the first time she had visited , she was very impressed with what is clearly a relatively recent facelift. On her previous visit it had apparently been a very run down and neglected place.
Also, don’t miss the ancient looking Buddha scene, under the trees to the left of the pond. Though not lavishly painted like the newer statues you see from the road, for me this image has the real Buddha spirit about it somehow.
And very nice it was to. The River Ping, away from the city centre, certainly on this stretch towards Lamphun, has a wonderfully relaxing effect and a look that belies its size and strength. With the many ancient overhanging trees, floating water plants and its many twists and turns it feels more like a beautiful winding stream.
Didn’t actually get the name of the place but it appears to be a Thai concern, that, the lady who served us our coffee informed us, specializes in fish dishes along with other common Thai options. It is right on the river bank, looking towards the large weir we would visit shortly after. A lovely quiet place for coffee and a very likely meal out place in the future, being not so far from home.
after coffee it was just a couple of minutes ride before we reached the impressive looking weir, which looks to be a fairly new addition, or has at least been recently refurbished and acts also as a river crossing for pedestrians and motorcys. It is at this point that the canal system for Lamphun starts. The surrounding area is quiet lovely, with a nice size gazebo on the banks of the canal, which was occupied by a friendly bunch of local youngsters at the time.
All along the way, apart from the river there are several amazing buildings, from lavish homes to ‘wild shacks’ as Ally calls them.
On the way back to Chiang Mai we spotted a few fishermen in the water hauling nets; stopped for lunch at a local Thai outlet, very tasty food and only 20 baht!;
and shortly before parting at 1.30 , took a short detour to a very nice coffee shop just off the super highway.
