Temples in the Sky and Dragons in the Lake

There are 2 cities in North Thailand that are unique in its own way. It's definitely not the popular Chiang Mai, but 2 lesser known, yet popular cities among locals - Lampang and Phayao.

Lampang is around 1 hour 30 mins from Chiang Mai. The key attraction is the Temple in the Sky, also know as Chaleom Phra Kiat. It is in fact about 1 hour from Lampang town in the outskirts. Before reaching the car park, one would have to ascend a small mountain road. To reach the peak, one would have to take a 15 mins jeep as part of the entrance fee package to the mid level of the mountain, where the trek begins. For the first 300m, it is a relaxing tarred road walk. After that, the climbing via the stairs begin. It takes around 45 mins to reach the peak, where the temples are located. The view from the top is amazing, bird's eye view of the mountains across and valley at the bottom. It is indeed a worth to climb visit, as the saying goes, the reward is at the top after a huffing and puffing hike.

View from 1st platform

Halfway

Up and up

Rewarding view on top

Nostalgic

Key highlight - temples on top

Pagodas in the sky

View from highest temple

How did they build the pagodas?

Like most of other Thailand towns, there is sure a weekend night market. The night market here is long along the ancient street and crowded. There are many heritage buildings along the old town. 

Night market in Lampang

Colorful delicacy

Heritage building

Nearly 100 years old

One of the many temples around in town

A Chinese temple in Lampang

Sunset in Lampang

Phayao is further from Chiang Mai, around 4 hours away. Its iconic landmark is the dragon statue in the Phayao Lake. The statue brightens in the evening with varying colors of red, purple, blue and white illumination. What makes it more captivating is the sunset right behind the statue. Hence, seeing the red egg yolk like sun, setting down slowly as backdrop makes it a photographer's heaven.

Can you see the sunset reflection?

                                                                            

Cloud Reflection

Perfect Reflection

Morning sunshine in Phayao Lake

There is a weekend night market where food lovers would enjoy the endless choices of delectable food. To me, what attracts me to the market is the open air massage service on the ground with passers by to glance. The message is much cheaper than the open air massage in Chiang Mai.

Exploring the small towns around Thailand is indeed an eye opening experience to how the locals live peacefully.

Roof of Japan

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is known as the “Roof of Japan”. The route passes through the dynamic scenery of Mt. Tateyama in the Japan Alps. It is traversed using a variety of vehicles with an elevation change of 2400 meters from Toyama Prefecture to Nagano Prefecture.

We started our journey in the opposite direction, from Shimano Omachi Station to Toyama. We took a very early bus from Matsumoto to Shimano Omachi Station. From there, we experienced different modes of transportation along the route while appreciating the beauty of nature along the way.

Our first stop is Kurobe Dam after 15 minutes ride on tunnel bus. It was a pitch dark journey. But when we emerged at the Dam, we were amazed by the gorgeous dam with roaring discharged water. It is the highest dam in Japan.

Water released from the dam

Kurobe Dam

Our journey continued with a Kurobe cable car and Tateyama ropeway to Daikanbo at 2316m, where we could soak in the surrounding beauty of green mountains at the observation deck. It was a feeling at the top of the world, though it is not the highest point.

Tateyama Ropeway

Daikanbo viewing deck

Next, it was the highest peak and the most beautiful view in the route, Murodo at 2450m. It offers fantastic views of the Tateyama Mountain Range, where many nature trails are found. Soaking in the alpine views makes us feel like living in a cloud.

Mikurigaike Pond

Surrounding partially melted glaciers

Marvelous Murodo

Our journey ended at the other end of Tateyama by a highland bus followed by a Tateyama cable car. From there, we took a train to Toyama for next destination.

It had been a full day trip, one way journey along the Roof of Japan, with a variety of transportation modes. However, the views were worth a visit.

Elated at Elevated Minangkabau City

Bukit Tinggi is a rich Minangkabau Heritage City in the west of Sumatra Island, Indonesia. It is a 4 hour journey from the the city of Padang. Besides heritage, the city and surrounding has many natural wonders to explore. It is a popular getaway for locals from other parts of Sumatra.

Upon arrival in the afternoon on the first day, we explored the city's iconic public park with a mini zoo and adjacent unique Minangkabau architectural bridge called Limpapeh Bridge that links to the Fort de Kork, a fort built by the Dutch. This was followed by a visit to the local market. 

Limpapeh Bridge

On second day, it was always a joy to visit the morning market to see the bustling life of a typical colorful local market with varieties of vegetables, fruits and snacks. We then hired a car with driver to explore the outskirts. Our first destination was Koto Gadang, a peaceful village with paddy fields and nice architectural houses. There is also a miniature Minangkabau house. The unique icon of a Minangkabau house is the roof with sharp bending on both ends of the roof.

Our journey continued uphill in a winding road with awesome outskirt sceneries. Upon reaching the peak, we could see Lake Maninjau, a popular lake down below. Nearby there is a village shack making the yummy brown sugar, caking in a mold. After many downhill windings, we reached the tranquil Lake Maninjau. It was raining, hence the view was not very impressive.

Raining afar

Brown sugar

Highest point on the way to Lake Maninjau

Lake Maninjau

On third day, we explored Harau Valley, a beautiful valley with waterfalls and cheap flying fox to enjoy a thrill. There is a small hill near the first high drop waterfalls with stairs to climb to have a bird's eye view of the surroundings. Then we had lunch nearby with a typical village view with dried paddy field in the scorching heat. This is the type of environment that brings relaxation. To some urbanites, this could be the most boring with nothing to see environment. 

Haaru Valley

The journey in the afternoon was more of exploring the different outskirts with lots of paddy fields, villages and a mining man made theme park lake with just locals. This to me, is the luxury of travel, having to see the real authentic lifestyles of the locals

Traditional Minangkabau house in a village

Manmade Lake

Lush paddy field

On the final day, we explored the iconic attractions around the city. The first destination was walking to nearby Panorama Park, where we could see the impressive well known Sianok Canyon from afar. Besides, one could climb up the tower to enjoy the surrounding views. Next, was the popular Japanese Tunnels, where we walked down the dark stairs to the illuminated tunnels built during the Japanese occupation. 

Japanese Tunnel

Imbak Canyon

One should also not miss the Great Wall of Koto Gadang, by climbing along the canyon to the view point. Along the way, we could enjoy the paddy fields and surrounding beauty of the canyon. The highlight at the end of the great wall is the vantage view of the canyon.

The only thing that disappointed me was the food. Bukit Tinggi is famous for its Nasi Kapau, sort of mixed rice with variety of dishes. But I find the food is overly salted. However, one can get other local street food such as local pancake @ roti canai and fried noodles at affordable price.

Overall, I am impressed with the tranquility, nothing much yet many wonderful natures of the city. A simple yet relaxing trip.