Friday ,( Thailand), 28 Oct., 2016 (Tour day 8)
  Another early start to the day at 7:30 am., wake up call at 6am  with bags packed and in the hall by 6:30.  The first stop was at Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple in Chiang Rai.  This temple was designed  by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai visual artist.  Wat Rong Khun is a unique temple that stands out through the white colour and the use of pieces of glass in the plaster, sparkling in the sun. 

   Then it was on to “Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant” for a brief stop.  There is another one in Bangkok.  They were started by a man who recognized the need in the country for venereal disease and birth control. Intimacy between the sexes was a forbidden toic of conversation socially, so it was impossible to teach about disease and birth control in Thailand.  He sold condoms in his restaurant in packaging that taught about the importance of protection against disease.  He later became minister of health and promoted the program which has resulted in less venereal disease and fewer but better fed and educated children.

  Third stop was at a rice processing plant.  This is very similar to thrashing in Canada but the husk is harder and more difficult to remove.  We learned the whole grains are used domestically and shipped to other countries.  Broke grains are used in other products from congee to the basis for soaps and beauty products.  The husks, high in calcium, are sold for chicken feed.

   Next came a visit to another temple.  This one at the top of the mountain overlooking Chiang Rai. We drove up which took about 15 minutes then took a funicular car to the temple.  Some of the group entered the temple to take pictures and receive a blessing from a monk.  Eva and I did not enter nor did several others.  A short walk from the temple was Chananon Family Jade Company.  We received an excellent talk on jade, the types and some history.  Some of the jade carvers were introduced along with their current projects. We saw one recently finished project using one piece of jade that has 2 colours.  It took 6 months to complete.

   Leaving the facility, with it’s showroom and shop where some of the group bought pieces, we drove down the mountain to our hotel, the Siripanna in Chaing Mai, a lovely hotel where we will stay 2 nights.  Unfortunately it was dark when we arrived so we could not see the gardens well, but the buffet was great.

   It’s been a long day and we don’t feel like working on photos tonight.  Tomorrow stars early again.  We are to be on the road by 7:00am.