Day 29-31 Chiang Mai

Day 29. Didn't sleep too bad. The train rolls through a green sea and gentle mountains. Took a shared taxi to the hostel and exchanged with a few other travelers. Once arrived, took a shower. Then, as always, explored the city on foot, ate Khao Soi and drank fruit shakes (besides roasted salted peas, the best thing here). Later went to the 3D Art Museum, just to have done something like that on the trip. It's quite entertaining, but not worth the price. On the way back, treated myself to a foot massage.
In the evening met with Stefan. Web developer from Switzerland and long-term traveler. He can now work for his company for a year without having to be in Luzern, exciting stuff. He stays in one place as long as his visa allows, ate at a good local restaurant and then ended the evening in a bar.

Day 30. Today's plan was to go to Doi Suthep (700 meters in altitude), Kickelhahn is a piece of cake compared to that. Had a good breakfast and loaded up on water, then rented a bike (piece of junk) to make the 5 kilometers to the starting point. The first climb led to Wat Prah Lat (about 45 minutes), a small monastery and a wonderfully peaceful place. Streams babble and the few monks take it very calmly. That was already worth it. Second stage to Wat Prah That, about 75 minutes on a jungle trail. I was exhausted when I got to the top. But the stage was also worth it, great monastery, great view. Gathered my strength for a bit, but then took a shared taxi to the foot of the mountain. And then 5 kilometers back to the city by bike, time for a nap. By the way, the roads were only built to the monasteries 100 years ago. So everything had to be carried up, which is pretty incredible is.
At every corner, tours to elephant or tiger petting are offered. I doubt that the animals are treated well there and I will not support it. There are places that advertise themselves as sanctuaries for elephants and explicitly state that elephant riding is not allowed, but I still have doubts. Especially since prices of 75-150€ are charged for half a day.

In the evening met with a colorful group: Alex (student from Munich), Dannii (German-Polish American from Amsterdam) and Michael (freelancer from New Jersey). Ate something at a local market and had a good conversation and exchange.

Day 31. Originally, motorbike riding was on the plan, but unfortunately, I don't have an international driver's license and the police here apparently control it very strictly (as a 'side income'). Anyway, it was raining in the morning, so it was Netflix time. In the afternoon, met Dannii again to explore the city (there are 200 pagodas here). First 2 smaller pagodas, then Wat Prah Singh, the city park and then the most important temple in the city Wat Chedi Luang.

In the temple, there was a cool thing called 'Chat a Monk'. You sit at a table and talk to a monk about whatever you want, and I'm absolutely up for it. The goal is for the monks to improve their English language skills. There were 4 novices at my table, all around 20 years old, one from Laos, two from Myanmar and one from Thailand. Basically, I had the conversation with the monks alone, Dannii somehow fell silent. I now know about the basic rules of a monk's life and Buddhism, doesn't sound very fun. Getting up early, begging for food, studying and learning, 1 hour of free time per day. Prohibited are drugs, sex, music and dance, sports, eating after noon, and anything that would be unworthy of Buddha in general. The guys were pretty funny and open-minded and also wanted to know a bit about my life in Germany. They stay in the temple for 4 years. Since I am quite critical of religions, I dug a little deeper. Why is it forbidden to intentionally kill any living being, but eating meat is allowed? Or why are there no female monks (the solution, they died out, but there are apparently still a few in India). Also, in response to my question, whether they do it voluntarily, 3 more or less admitted that it is expected of them and they only do the 4 years. All in all, a great experience.

Had dinner with May. After that went to Muay Thai (Thai boxing), actually a few more people wanted to come, but they all backed out. It wasn't cheap (500 baht), but it was surprisingly entertaining and you really get into it. The atmosphere was good when the rather young athletes beat each other up. Worth checking out.