Chiang Rai - Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

Today we went to the White Temple and Black House in Chiang Rai. After visiting 800 year old temples, I expected more of the same, but both of these places turned out to be contemporary, unconventional, privately owned, art-exhibits.

The White Temple is the creation of Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, a devout Buddhist. It is surreal and fantastical and somehow reminds me of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Many of the sculptures and images suggest the need to escape desire, greed and worldly vices.

Heads with Spanish moss beards

The fanciest toilets in Thailand, what Ann-Kristin thought was the "Golden Temple"

Another selfie

We got to write our wishes on aluminum ornaments and place them on wish trees. There were millions of wishes there emanating a strange sense of hope and good will.

Here is someone's wish for 2015

One of several wish trees

A pergola of wishes

Check out the parking bollards