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Climbing to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was a hilarious adventure I won’t soon forget! After 18 hours of travel and questionable airplane food, my body was screaming for rest. But with a Thai iced tea fueling me, I faced the infamous stairway to the temple. My friend’s cheerful claim of “only 100 steps” turned out to be a slight exaggeration—300 steps later, I was panting like I’d run a marathon! Yet, as I reached the top, the shimmering gold of the temple and breathtaking views made every sweaty moment worth it. Seriously, don’t skip this magical climb!
Climbing to Heaven
My Journey to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Hey there, fellow wanderlusters!

I’ve got a little gem of a story for you today, and let me tell you, it starts off with a bit of adventure (read: exhaustion). Picture this: I had just traveled for a whopping 18 hours straight—yes, you read that right. After the long flights, layovers, and questionable airplane food (seriously, who thought airplane pasta was a good idea?), all I wanted was a cozy bed and a strong cup of coffee. But as fate would have it, I was in Chiang Mai, and there was a temple calling my name: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Now, let me set the scene. After a brief rest and a deliciously sweet Thai iced tea (seriously, if you haven’t tried one, what are you even doing with your life?), I made my way to the base of the temple. And then, there they were—the infamous stairs. A seemingly endless set of steps that felt like a mini-mountain. In that moment, I thought to myself, “Oh, heck no!” The thought of climbing them made my already weary legs scream in protest.

But then, my amazing Thai friend, who clearly underestimated my fatigue levels, chimed in with a reassuring smile, “Oh, it’s only 100 steps!” I must admit, the thought of only 100 steps made me feel a bit braver (albeit slightly misled). With a deep breath and a little pep talk, I decided to go for it. After all, how hard could 100 steps be, right? Spoiler alert: it was a lot more than that!

So, up I went, one step at a time, taking a quick break halfway to chug some water and remind myself that I was, in fact, on an adventure. And can I just say, it was hot—like, “why-did-I-think-visiting-a-temple-in-the-middle-of-the-day-was-a-good-idea” hot. But as I climbed, I could feel my excitement building. The lush greenery surrounding me became more vibrant with each step, and the anticipation of what awaited at the top kept me moving forward.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity (and a tiny bit of dramatic inner monologue), I made it to the top. And wow, was it worth every single step! The stunning gold of the temple shimmered under the sun, surrounded by breathtaking views of Chiang Mai. I felt like I had stepped into a postcard. The beauty was almost overwhelming—like a warm hug from the universe telling me, “You did it!”

As we wandered around, we approached a monk who greeted us with a genuine smile. He offered blessings and wrapped a piece of string around my wrist, which he said would bring good fortune. I could practically feel the positive vibes radiating off of him! It was such a beautiful moment, one of those experiences that makes your heart swell with gratitude.

And can we talk about photo opportunities? I was living my best life, snapping pictures left and right. I had seen the statues and the architecture in books and on TV, but standing amongst them in person was surreal. It truly felt like I was part of something much bigger than myself.

Once I got back down (thankfully, gravity helped a bit on the way down), I couldn’t resist the urge to Google how many steps I had actually climbed. Drumroll, please… It turns out it was three times what my friend had told me! 300 steps, people! But you know what? I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. Sometimes, we need to push ourselves a little further to truly appreciate the beauty around us.

So, if you ever find yourself in Chiang Mai, do yourself a favor and make the trek to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Trust me, the climb is worth it. And who knows? You might just find a little piece of magic waiting for you at the top.

Happy travels, my friends! 🌄✨

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