Western Overkill, Chiang Mai, Thailand, June 2015

A 15 minute stomp to the closest part of the old city, the North-West corner. The pace is of some historical importance to Thailand - much revered for its bejeweled and sparkling temples and pre-ancient architecture contained within. Oh, and peace with solitude should be found although right now with the relentless flow of traffic and thronging crowds of Chinese tourists, that's pretty hard to believe. so, having negotiated the crossing of six lanes of non-stop traffic, lets take a look around this old town.

Thankfully, we tourists don't have to swim the moat, pleenty of foot bridges and of course road access. Remnants of an ols city wall on the corners and by the original access gate on the Northern rim. Temples are aplenty, that's for sure. the first one is quite interesting, the second one, a bit less interesting, the third one - well, its all the same really, with subtle differences. Lanes are leafy, buildings with some characte, traffic not so mad but still plenty of it along with plenty of tourists. Also in plentiful supply - coffee shops. Funky, boutique is the image portrayed here, a different coffee shop for a different visit each day on a month long trip! One or two I can accept but this is Western overkill for sure in what should be a traditional oasis.

so here's a few photos attempting to convey the flavour of old city Chiang mai. Just a few because it all gets pretty repetitive after half an hour!