theblether,

Thank you so much for contributing to this thread. Hopefully your images will inspire others to post some images of Chiang Rai.

theblether,

Thank you so much for contributing to this thread. Hopefully your images will inspire others to post some images of Chiang Rai.

My pleasure, the Chiang Rai Province is stunning, I envy members such as yourself that live in that area. I intend to spend a lot more time visiting as I believe far too many people get sucked into a lie that the only reason why you should visit Mae Sai is to get a visa and leave. They get on a cramped mini bus and subject themselves to a torturous 12 hour round trip and miss places like the White Temple and Doi Tung, among dozens of others.

The tragedy is, they actually see the White Temple from the road as they whizz by, and if they are lucky enough to be in a van that stops for a break, they get 10 minutes then off they go again. Doi Tung is exceptional, I know it's a little bit off the main road but the drive itself is superb. The story behind Doi Tung is engrossing too, I feel it's a shame that people go whizzing past this place.....

The Royal Chalet, Doi Tung.

The view from the balcony inside the Chalet is quite superb, unfortunately we are not allowed to take cameras in. To compensate the view over the valley from the gardens is also quite superb. The entire complex is worth a day out and I'll be back soon to take my time and have a good look around.

The White Temple.......from the rear. It's a shame that so many people walk out the side of the building and head towards the front. You're missing this.....

Nice photos. Looks like you got lucky and not many tourists when you visited also

Yes, the Royal Chalet is quite amazing. We spent quite a few hours there. Quite amazing. As for the White Wat, not really much to see there.

There were a few Bookman but as I mentioned, no one, absolutely no one walked to the back of the Temple. To me it's a shame to miss the Temple area as shown in the first three images, and with the Sun beating down in that area the Temple was looking it's glorious best.

Yes, the Royal Chalet is quite amazing. We spent quite a few hours there. Quite amazing. As for the White Wat, not really much to see there.

Next time you visit they have build new there-I think now there is 2 new buildings - and in the small side road next to the temple-just across the road,there are a gallerie wich is very good to and free of charge.

Another Chiang Rai Bug from the garden

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I find that guy breathtaking.

I saw a very unusual sight this evening around 7PM. In the clouds above my house there appeared something like a cloud encircled by a rainbow. It looked really awesome. Anyway, wanted to share the images with you all. This was a rush capture and process so my apologies for the poor quality. Also I underexposed and pumped up the contrast to make the rainbow more noticeable in the photos.

I saw a very unusual sight this evening around 7PM. In the clouds above my house there appeared something like a cloud encircled by a rainbow. It looked really awesome. Anyway, wanted to share the images with you all. This was a rush capture and process so my apologies for the poor quality. Also I underexposed and pumped up the contrast to make the rainbow more noticeable in the photos.untitled-3-2.jpguntitled-4-2.jpguntitled-8-2.jpg

We were watching that from our front yard this evening. I have seen quite a few but I have never seen one so round. Wife joked that it looked like a UFO. It is called cloud iridescence and you should see a few more this time of year. Glad you got a picture and thanks for sharing.

Usually they are not so round but they are always amazing to watch. Here is one from last year.

Its unfortunate that one can't take photos inside the Royal Chalet / Villa. Truly some amazing craftsmanship inside

Its unfortunate that one can't take photos inside the Royal Chalet / Villa. Truly some amazing craftsmanship inside

Next time,try to visit Mae Fahluang Art and Culture Park.

Think you can find some pics from there - if you have a driver licence ( thai) remember it as then you pay thai price.

I haven't seen any pictures of Baan Dam or Black Village. Has anyone been there lately?

The grounds and architecture are lovely at Baan Dam.

Some of the woodworking takes on an almost lifelike appearance.

Thursday evening Mae Sai

Mae Sai River

Overnight Thunderstorm, Friday morning Mae Sai River.

Where that foliage is to the near left is where I had dinner on Thursday night and took the first river photo you see above. Just in case your wondering, the restaurant was closed this morning. I hope the owner moved his car though......that would be a double tragedy if any of these belonged to him.

Although I found some of the buildings and art work interesting at the Black Temple, the place just seemed to suck the happiness right out of me!

Far too depressing with all of the dead animals (stuffed of course) but the old furniture and artifacts where very interesting.

I am quite happy to have seen it.......once.

Now the White Temple is a polar opposite in both colour AND atmosphere.

The brightness and constant evolution of the art work is inspiring.

I've been three times now and look forward to a return trip next time we get guests.

The little gallery is quite a treat and showcases the talent of K. Kositpipat.

It is a shame we cannot take photo's in any of the buildings.

Although I found some of the buildings and art work interesting at the Black Temple, the place just seemed to suck the happiness right out of me!

Far too depressing with all of the dead animals (stuffed of course) but the old furniture and artifacts where very interesting.

I am quite happy to have seen it.......once.

Now the White Temple is a polar opposite in both colour AND atmosphere.

The brightness and constant evolution of the art work is inspiring.

I've been three times now and look forward to a return trip next time we get guests.

The little gallery is quite a treat and showcases the talent of K. Kositpipat.

It is a shame we cannot take photo's in any of the buildings.

An interesting perspective on the Black Village and one I haven’t heard before.

Its unfortunate that one can't take photos inside the Royal Chalet / Villa. Truly some amazing craftsmanship inside

Next time,try to visit Mae Fahluang Art and Culture Park.

Think you can find some pics from there - if you have a driver licence ( thai) remember it as then you pay thai price.

That is another great place to spend time walking.

Here's a few pic's from last year or the year before.

I've almost saved up enough to go back again, since I've yet to get my Thai drivers licence.

Although I found some of the buildings and art work interesting at the Black Temple, the place just seemed to suck the happiness right out of me!

Far too depressing with all of the dead animals (stuffed of course) but the old furniture and artifacts where very interesting.

I am quite happy to have seen it.......once.

Now the White Temple is a polar opposite in both colour AND atmosphere.

The brightness and constant evolution of the art work is inspiring.

I've been three times now and look forward to a return trip next time we get guests.

The little gallery is quite a treat and showcases the talent of K. Kositpipat.

It is a shame we cannot take photo's in any of the buildings.

An interesting perspective on the Black Village and one I haven’t heard before.

Yeah, I remember it being stiflingly hot that day.

While at the Black Temple I felt it to be so much so as to feel darkly oppressive.

Just the mood of the place..... for me any ways.

Gives the the expression "Takes your breath away" a whole new level of appreciation regarding the arts.

Or maybe I was just in a funk!

That's my rant......I could be wrong. lol

Many thanks for allowing me to peek at the delights of CR Province.Here is a wonderful array of images covering the beauty and also the reality of an area that I have not visited for too many years. Being a mountain rather than a beach fan - I found the voyage through these pages absorbing - thank you for allowing me to share the sights that some of you see every day.

Here is a familiar sight this time of year. Farmers making use of their field huts for a midday break.

A little something from out on the trails yesterday.

While I am at it, here is one more.

If this camera lives up to promises, I may just invest in one
http://www.nokia.com/global/products/phone/lumia1020/

After the storms, come beautiful skies.

The shot above is looking northwest while this shot is looking more northeast toward our village and you can even see our local temple and part of the mountain range which stretches from Thoeng to Chiang Khong.

Here is today's offering.

Another stormy evening in Phaya Mengrai. Took this one while walking the dogs this evening.

Is the water level still retreating in your area VF?

Is the water level still retreating in your area VF?

Yes it is getting better around here and looks like the rice will make it but on the drive to town yesterday it still looked pretty bad between Phaya Mengrai and Sop Pao. The streams and rivers were quite impressive and the fields were flooded up to the road still.