Visiting the wats of Northern Thailand can be overwhelming at first, given the density and opulence of the Lan Na decor: colourful glass mosaic inlay and mulberry painted wooden beams and doorways, quivering golden prayer flags hung from heavy beams above, Jade Buddhas and mummified monks too real to believe. These images were taken at various wats around Chiang Mai and Lampang, around 100 kms north-east of Chiang Mai and other smaller towns of the old Lan Na kingdom. The wats are beginning to blur. Chiang Mai calls.
Thursday is now the day to indulge in travel memories, courtesy of the photographic prompts from wordpress. Today’s prompt is Dense.
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The attention to detail in the mummified monks’ photo where the far-right monk is adorned with spectacles. Beautiful images and prose Francesca – thank you.
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Thanks Peter, and I hope you haven’t drowned in all the rain that came your way in Far North Queensland. I trust that you missed out on the worst of it.
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How extraordinary. The decoration is so rich and lush, but the monks, as you say, are almost beyond belief.
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Those monks are very scary close up. So real- permanent meditation!
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Those monks are just a tad bizarre but I love the rich density of the decorated surfaces.
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nothing like a lifelike stuffed monk.
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The jade Buddha is great; I wish you had the full photo. Yes, monks can be a little beyond the ordinary.
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You are right. I feel bad about cutting off Jade Buddhas head, but I seemed to have focused on the folded legs in that shot. I have added another photo to the post- Jade Buddha in full- I was feeling so guilty. Thank you so much for pointing this out.
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Wow! The intricate details are amazing! Despite your guilt, you’ve shared some amazingly beautiful art!
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Thanks.
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The decoration is overwhelming! Love the Buddha hands Francesca .. 😃
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The hands always seem to symbolise peace and calm to me.
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