Day 5- Doi Suthep, Coffee Plantation and King's Winter Palace

Noom picked us up and we drove up to the King's Winter Palace Bhuping Palace. The flowers were amazing. Unfortunately the palace was closed for renovations so we didn't get to see it. The palace is very understated and the grounds are massive and fabulously landscaped. It was built in 1961 and is the winter home of the Thai Royal family, it also provides accommodation to visiting heads of state.

Its a hummingbird, although unfortunately not in focus its the closest I've ever gotten to getting a picture of one!! Definitely room for improvement

Once we were done at the palace we asked Noom if we could go and find this little coffee plantation where they still grow, dry and roast the beans by hand. He agreed and off we went on an adventure. We stopped in this first village because we thought it might be the place, turns out it wasn't and they gave us directions to get there. 

Two more stops and more directions and about 45 minutes driving down a dirt road down the side of the mountain with a billion massive potholes later and we arrived!!!

After enjoying a delicious cup of coffee, buying some beans and playing with the village puppy, we drove back towards Chiang Mai. We stopped at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on the way back down the mountain and climbed up the steps to see the Pagoda. According to legend, in the late 14th Century holy relics were placed on the back of a white elephant. The elephant climbed the mountain at Doi Suthep and before collapsing and dying of fatigue, the sacred animal marked the spot where the relics should be enshrined by turning round three times and trumpeting three times.  The original chedi dates back to the 14th century but the buildings present now date from the 16th century.

There are 306 steps up to the top and if you're handicapped, pregnant, injured or elderly then there is a cable car to get you up there. The rest of you should be bloody well walking up so the queue isn't as long for the ones who need it! Its not THAT far. 

There is a foreigner tax to get in which is higher than a local entry fee. My husband had a bit of a head shake about this but its their country and they can do as they like, we paid it :)

Make sure you are covered past the knees and shoulders as this is a very holy place for buddhists and you won't be allowed in if you're dressed inappropriately.