Beauty of Thailand: Food and Flowers

 

It's Winter in Thailand...

And places like Wat Loi Kroh, right across the street from our hotel, sparkles like a gem under the clear blue sky...as it has for more than 600 years. It was hot, so I kept to the shade to enjoy this beautiful spiritual place... 

This Wat was established after the reconquest of Chiang Mai from Burma, by the Thai King. The idea was to attract villagers back to the burned, razed city.

Inside, a golden Buddha glows at the end of a gorgeous blue carpet that echoes the purity of the winter sky outside.

Let's Go Up the Mountain.

With our good friend Mod, we drove up the mountainside into cool breezes...to a restaurant at Mae Sa. We told ourselves 'we won't eat a big lunch today...' Yeah, right!!

Clint and Mod went to grad school together at Boise State University. They still like to tease each other!

We started with a mango smoothie and a passion fruit smoothie, and some appetizers. This restaurant proves that Thai cuisine can be startlingly original, even fusion sometimes. 

Thai mushrooms slowly sauteed in butter. Aside from a little salt, no further flavors are needed - these are so savory! The flavor felt kind of French. 

Next, green papaya salad inspired by Viet Nam. Crispy strips of papaya tossed with tangy dressing, and tender plump shrimp with a hint of nutty sweetness. 

A rich red curry with big crayfish from the local stream.  

Clint was craving chicken so he ordered a Chinese inspired cashew chicken dish. I loved the carrot carved into a little 'good fortune' bat!

Thailand Flower Power.

OMG, we cleaned our plates! Then, needing a stroll, we visited a butterfly and orchid farm. These are quite common on this mountainside with its cool, clean air.

The butterflies were too fast for me to take a good picture. So, here are some orchids. Take a deep breath, zoom in, and forget all your worries as you enjoy their luxuriant beauty. 

Enjoy your holiday, my friends!!