Tuesday, November 25

Here is a picture of our hotel, The Smith Residence.  It is 8 stories and we are on the 7th. There is a small pool and gym on the roof.

This morning we tried the new bakery that Cheron told us about called Melt Away.  Not a lot of pastries but tasty quiche with a little salad on the side.  Sue had Mushroom Broccoli and Greg and I had Bacon Omelet quiche.   Small shop with 3 or 4 tables only.  We complemented the chef and asked where she learned to cook western food - she said she was self-taught.  Her husband came out too and talked a bit.  They have limited items but they include a chocolate cake, carrot cake, cheese cake, apple pie and the quiches.

Tom and Chap went to play golf early this morning, so Sue, Greg and I decided to go to the Airport Mall to see what it was like.  Took a red cab and got there before it opened, but starbucks was open so we sat at their outside table and read the paper, took photos and chatted till 11:00.

  The mall was similar to American ones, though McDonalds and Aunt Annie's pretzels were the only stores we recognized.  Some very nice, upscale stores, department stores, boutiques, electronics (many phone stores)and kiosks.  On the first floor there was a grocery store and a huge market with all sorts of fruits, vegetables, hot dishes, candies, etc. Like a cleaned up version of the street markets. Also a huge fish tank.  The mall is 5 stories and had quite a few Christmas decorations, none religious of course - Snoopy was very popular!

When we got back to the hotel Tom had returned.  Greg and I decided to go down a nearby street that has many silver shops and I found a beautiful ring at Pond Silver Town that I plan to wear as a wedding band, and another at Thong Yon Silver.

 We were in the vicinity, so went to the Silver Wat - Wat Srisuphan.  Instead of gold, it is decorated all in silver - some real silver and some a mix.  There is actually a gold temple and the silver wat is an ordination hall next door - no women allowed according to Lanna belief.  There is a silver workshop nearby where the art is practiced as well as taught and we watched some craftsmen.   They also offer meditation classes.

Greg noted the bamboo scaffolding used at construction sites and also many lightweight bamboo ladders.

For dinner we took a red taxi to the Gallery, along the Ping river.  Very nice atmosphere and lights on the river.  Looks great at night but is muddy like the Mississippi in daylight.  Good Thai food.

 Nearly every light had a live gecko inside. One of these got into our bedroom one night and for such a small creature they make a big sound!

 We walked back to the hotel, partially through the Night Bazaar - a nightly market along several blocks. This is more clothing, luggage, jewelry, etc. with some food here and there. Probably more for tourists.