It is Sunday here in Chiang Mai and that can mean only one thing – the Sunday night market.  Our plan for the day is mostly oriented around this, and we have nothing strenuous planned as one would not want to tire themselves out before a grand night of shopping!

Thomas is also a bit tired after his late night out, so it is another late start for everyone and some pool time in the morning while relaxing.

After lunch (or again late breakfast for some) we decide to hire one of the red songtheaws to take us up to Wat Pharthat Doi Suthep for the afternoon. It is the most famous temple in the Chiang Mai area with some great views of the area, so something we think Thomas should see, and of course an opportunity for us to get our yearly blessing from the monks there.  The temple is quite busy, more than we have seen in previous years here, and clearly tourism has picked up a bit – perhaps I need to stop telling people what a great place it is to visit!! 😉

At the end of the day it is back to the city and get ready for tonight’s main event – the Sunday night market. Mrs. Columbus looks forward to this every year and wandering through the blocks and blocks of vendors selling their mostly hand made crafts.  Just as traditional as our return to the market is my getting tired of it after about the first hour!

We have stopped for some street food, walked by a number of stalls, sat under a pagoda for a 15 minute rain storm, and I am about done for the night.  I like to see the market as it is quite a spectacle, and if I had things to buy I’m sure I could find them here, but the shopping is as we say a ‘pink job’ and I have had my fill for this trip.  Mrs. Columbus is happy to help Thomas navigate the chaos though to get the souvenirs that he needs so we part ways and I head towards home as they go deeper into the market.

Fortunately I have a backup plan, and as I walk back towards the hotel I coincidentally have to walk by Ginny Cafe and Ian is around so I pop in for a visit and a beer.  This is where Mrs. Columbus, several packages in tow, finds me a couple hours later still chatting away with Ian and Tee, so I guess the night has been a success for everyone 🙂