This was a long day but...
This was a long day but completely worth it. We got plenty of time to visit the Long Neck village, and the three (White, Blue, Red) temples.
Our guide, Som, was very good. This is our second tour with her. She gave a lot of explanation at each location, and kept everything on time. We returned to Chiang Mai around 7pm, which was what she had estimated right at the beginning of the day.
Incredible Temples Galore
This is a very worthwhile tour and good value for money. The guide New/Nu?? was very professional and explained each leg of the trip very thoroughly.
We started at the Karen Long Neck Tribe (those who paid for it) and it was all quite fascinating learning how they live, their background and then they offer various handmade objects for sale at very reasonable prices.
Followed on to the hot springs, which was a little reminiscent of New Zealand's geysers (the smell at least) and we were able to soak our feet in basins, once we cooled the water.
The temples are incredible; the White is magnificent with sparking edifices, statues and stupas for miles. Quite an arresting sight.
This was followed by a very traditional and delicious lunch healthy and filling and buffet style so as much as you want.
The Blue Temple is different, more of a royal appearance, due to the deep azure and gold tones. Smaller than the white, but no less impressive, with a massive Buddha statue inside.
Then there is the Red Temple; what a finale for the tour, with the utterly overwhelming grand Buddha. This is a show stopper, as you enter the structure and take the lift that brings you to the 25th floor inside Buddha's head. Looking out is an amazing vista, over the Red Pagoda (how the site gets its name) and the surrounding countryside.
By this time we were feeling quite weary, but this definitely resparked our enthusiasm.
The trip home was tiring, about 3 hours, with a comfort stop halfway, but what a fabulous day. Highly, highly recommended.