Being a massive nature geek since I was little I LOVED the amount of nature that was just so normal to the locals in Thailand. Anyone who has seen my tattoos you will know, but in particular my lizard on my foot. So you can imagine my excitement when we noticed there were lizards everywhere in Chiang Mai.
Simple little things in life make me happy and these little guys definitely did, especially when a lady pointed and screamed at my foot thinking there was a real lizard lying on it. Luckily she saw the funny side when I rubbed it to show her it wasn't real. (It's not even a realistic tattoo)
The same day we arrived in Chiang Mai we decided to go look around the town and explore. Little did I know this day would be one that will stay with me forever.
We wondered along the street we were staying on, heading towards the town centre, even the streets were beautifully lined with temples and giant marble walls. Unsure whether we were allowed to go into the temple or not we first went inside the grounds of one to take photos of the building which was draped in gold and jewels, reflecting the sun all over us.
The second temple was a lot bigger with water fountains, flowers, gardens all around it. There was a place to put your shoes and robes to put over yourself when entering the temple. The inside was just the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. Golden ribbons hanging from the ceiling creating almost a floating layer inside the temple, a huge golden Buddha at the back of the temple and row upon row on monks praying on the floor in front of him. There was a small space at the back where the public could sit and watch. We sat quietly and the feeling that washes over you in indescribable.
Total calm and complete peace.
The chanting of the monks filled the temple and a state of complete mindlessness took over. It was sensational to be part of and I still feel blessed that I was able to experience this.
ISSUE 30 of WED Magazine is out now!
The previous article on the blog also features in this Issue but here is a sneak peak of the other that I LOVED shooting. Can't explain how beautiful the clothes were and how lovely everyone was on the shoot. So amazing to be part of this. Here are a few pictures for you, I will write the full post as soon as the magazine arrives!
Photo by: Griffin Photography
One thing I was particularly excited to see and try in Thailand was the Tuk Tuks. They are like scooters and cars mixed together but are all brightly coloured and just one of the coolest things I've ever seen. If they were road legal in the UK I'd have to get myself one for pottering around in.
We had a lovely first experience in one, with a very sweet man driving us who also had an amazing moustache. They have many things in their cars and Tuk Tuks for protection so at the top of them it almost looks like a little shrine. I loved this as each were different and personal, so it allowed you see things that meant so much to the drivers without even knowing them. Little insights into their traditions were so refreshing.
After a short stay in Bangkok we had to move North to Chiang Mai. After researching ways of travel through Thailand we chose to take a sleeper train north for 14 hours. Not knowing how clean or nice the train would be but the thought of sleeping in a bed on train was pretty exciting.
On arrival I was surprised with how nice it was, it wasn't anything amazing but there were little rooms of 2 bunk beds in each room. I had the top bunk which was quite private with a curtain that goes across the room cutting it off from the aisle on the train then a curtain which closes off your bed from the room. Even the beds were pretty comfortable so I was happier knowing it wasn't really how I pictured it. (Pictured below was my bed for the night)
As the heat outside is so hot nearly everywhere has air conditioning which is usually heavenly when you step into it from being in the heat. On this occasion it wasn't so pleasant as the air con was like Arctic winds. It was set in the ceiling and because my bed was underneath it, my night was not one I'd want to relive. Apart from being freezing the journey was really enjoyable and an experience I'll never forget.
Arriving in the morning in Chiang Mai was a bit of a rush as I had finally fell asleep in the morning and woke up with 5 minutes to get off the train before it went onto its next stop. We all got off safe without forgetting anything (miracle) then went on to get our first Tuk Tuk to our new hotel, The Small Hotel.
