Saturday, January 14, 2017
Hiking up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Part 2
The second part of the hike is up a long, steep climbing hiking trail through the jungle to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep much of which is steeper than climbing stairs. The day was warm and humid, and I was sweating heavily.
The trail goes along a set of power lines that serve the temple at the top. It may be that the hiking trail emerged from a maintenance road for the power lines, but much of the trail is too steep and rugged for any but the most extreme off road vehicles, so I am not too sure. On the left part of the picture is a concrete power pole.
And along this part of the trail is a power or communication cable at about head-height. This is a very steep section of the trail.
And here is one of many trees across the trial that one must climb or step over. I do not see it possible for a vehicle to get over this obstacle.
The last section of the climb is another very steep section, in the dense part of the jungle.
Suddenly, after climbing a series of almost stair steps in the hill, one emerges near the main road. The jungle brush and foliage muffles all sound, and thus the jungle is quiet. Coming out of the jungle along the road, the noise is quite noticeable.
And then we are at the start of the 309 or 307 steps up to the actual temple. I have counted the steps several times, and I think the discrepancy in the various published counts is (1) do you start counting at 1 or 0, and (2) at the top, does the one step down to the last landing count? If you start counting at 0 and do not count the last step down, there are 307 steps. But if you start counting at 1 and count that last step down, you get 309. Does it matter, no, but it is a long, beautiful stairway flanked by this rich ceramic tile making up the scales of the naga (serpent).
Just before we enter into the main temple area is this doorway. I have never seen these doors open, and I am always compelled to take a picture - the dancing 4-armed thewada (angels) on the doors are just so fun.
Another worship/prayer area flanked by these very large elephant tusks and a snake/serpent icon. Another fanciful item I always feel compelled to photograph.
Inside the main temple area is the chedi that holds the sacred relic.
Thai people come here to walk three or seven circumferences around the chedi praying. Today being children's day in Thailand is quite busy, and there are many people here making their prayer walk around the chedi.
A shot of tone of the corners with some of the people walking and praying.
another view of the gold chedi, always appearing strong and powerful. [And a few heads of people walking and praying.]
One of the Buddha icons at which people pray. This one is a rich, very dark green. It is said to have been quarried near Chiang Rai, farther to the north.
This Buddha icon is a rose-colored stone. I do not know the story, but I do not remember seeing this one in past visits to this temple.
A shot of me squinting into the bright sun at the base of the gold chedi.
Another shot of me at the base of the Naga Stairway.
Next: A diversion to the Hmong Hill Tribe Village and the hike down Doi Suthep
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