After the 2 hour trekking session on the trail in the National Park we stopped for lunch and did some shopping at the store where we had our lunch. We were offered some samples of the local teas and coffee. I was interested in the local products and our group was willing to purchase some of the teas, candles and dry fruits to help out the mountain people and their economy. God was so good to us. As soon as we sat down for lunch, the tropical rain start to fall. We had a good time sharing local Thai food with our fellow travelers. It was interesting to learn from others where they were from and about their countries as well.
After lunch, our guide took us to visit the highest point of the mountain in Thailand we took more pictures and then to the burial site of the Thai King. Right beside the tombstone, there was a place where visitors usually take out coins and try to have his/ her coin stand on its side. According to local legends if you could stand a Thai coin on its side and make a wish, your wish would come true. Some of our team mates tried their luck, some got it while other failed. It was fun watching my fellow tourists attempting to make the coin stand on its side.
Another thing that stood out for me was how much reverence Thai people give to their kings and queens. When we got to the burial ground of the Thai king, our guide dropped to his knees. With his two hands pressed aganst each other, he made three bows to his king's gravestone. He told us to follow if we wish, but my husband and I didn't. Then a toursit from another grop walked up to the terrace where the gravestone was located wanting to go behind it to take some pictures.
Our guide immediately shouted at him to stop saying that this was disrespectful to the past king. I have never seen a Thai person being so angry and assertive as they are known to be quiet and polite people. So far on this trip and according to our experience, this perception has been true so far until now.. The British Queen used to be our queen too in Canada, but Canadians never have such reverence for her . Not sure if the British people share the same degree of reverence for their kings and queens as the Thai people?
The Twin Pagodas - They are sitting high on on the mountain as this was the king's favourite spot and he came here ofen to do work for his people. Thai people built these two pagodas to honour their royal couple; thereore one was higher than the other as one was built for the previous king and the other for the queen.
We were standing on beautiful ground and a high spot looking down to the city far below. Our last stop was the a local market where the mountain people sold their dried fruits. Thailand has much too offer in terms of agricultural produce. Thai people are good at preserving them and turnign them into tasty snacks. We bought a few bags.
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By the time we got dropped off to our hotel, it was almost 630pm. We had a fun and exciting day!
RT, Doi Inthanon National Park, near Chinag Mia, Thailand
O82025
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