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Tribal Villages and Orchid Farm

 

Our full day excursion started in the morning with a trip to the tribal villages in the foot hills around Chaing Mai. We toured the Hmong village, the Dara-Ang village, the Karen Long Ear Village and the Karen Long Neck village. It was crazy to see how they lived. 

We also saw the rice paddy and how they harvested the rice. Pin, our guide, took us for a little jaunt through the rice paddy so we could see the different stages!  It was crazy to see how they harvested the rice, which was a bit like harvesting wild rice, but also not so much…

Harvesting rice st the tribal villages.

In the Karen Long Neck Village, Pin explained that they came from Burma, but were displaced by the war there. They put the brass rings around their necks as it is their belief that the brass rings keep the tigers from attacking the women.  Not only do they have brass rings around their neck, but also around their knees. 

A tribal member from the Karen Long Neck Tribe.
Karen Long Neck Tribsl member and her baby.

After the villages, we went to an orchid and butterfly farm. The orchids were awesome!  There were so many of them!  Then we went into the butterfly farm. It was like in Costa Rica, but not as many butterflies. Unlike Costa Rica, there were a lot more varieties of butterflies to see. 

Hubby and I at the orchid farm.
Orchids!!
One of the butterflies at the orchid and butterfly farm.
I made a friend!!!!

After the orchid farm, Pin took us to see the biggest market in Chaing Mai (more on that in the market post!), followed by a boat ride down the Phang Kong River. The boat ride was very telling, as there was not really any wildlife at all. No ducks, not really even any birds around. There were a lot of people fishing, but they didn’t seem to be catching anything!!!  

The Chinatown market.
Dried shrimp, fish, crab and squid at the Chinatown market.

The River seemed so muddy, and red from pollution and iron in the soil. I asked Pin if people swam in this river and she looked at me like I was crazy and said no! 

Our cruise down the river.
One of the temples located on the bank of the river. 

I’m super glad we took the day long excursion. We saw things we would have never seen on our own. Having Pin was invaluable!  

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Temple Time!!!

 

Emerald Buddah at Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent our first full day in Chaing Mai visiting three different Buddhist Temples. It was an amazing experience. Having our own personal tour guide also helped things along!!

The first temple we visited was Wat Su Dok, which was built in the 14th century. This Wat is where a large number of the royal family is buried. They have their own area of the Wat dedicated to them. 

Where the Royal Family is buried.

When we arrived, our guide, Pin, explained that there was a funeral taking place that day for one of the Buddhist Monks from the temple. Apparently, only the monks are placed In caskets before they are cremated. Another monk then was talking over a loud speaker explaining the life of this monk. 

The Buddhist monks funeral.
Close up of the Buddhist monk’s casket

This was our first experience in a Wat, so Pin walked us through what to do when you actually enter the building with Buddha in it. First, you take off your shoes. Then, you walk up to the Buddha statue get on your knees and bow your head to the floor three times. (We discovered everything in Buddhism has to do with three!!). 

Pagoda at Wat Su Dok that holds Lord Buddah’s ashes.

Our next Wat was the most famous in Chaing Mai, Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.  This Wat is located up in the foothills outside of Chaing Mai. Pin explained that the followers would walk for 5 1/2 hours to the temple before the road was built. After driving up to it, with the road so steep, that walk would not be for the faint of heart!  The scenery was beautiful though. Located inside a National Park, we drove by three or four different water falls. 

The stairs at Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.
The stairs at Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.

When we arrived at Wat Doi Suthep, Hubby was given the choice to walk up the 370 stairs to the temple, or take an elevator. Hubby chose the stairs. Let me tell you, when ever you are given this choice, TAKE THE ELEVATOR!!!  Hubby and I trekked up the stairs, along with Pin’s intern. It was not a pleasant experience!  Honestly though, I’m secretly glad we did it (although I will NEVER admit that to Hubby!!!).  Once there, it was Amazing.  To me, it looked like what Shangri-la would look like. 

While there, we were blessed not once, but twice by two Buddhist monks. One of them even gave us a string bracelet.  Pin walked us through the story of The Lord Buddha, which was painted on the wall of the temple. We also have our future told by a game that is played in the temple. It was crazy weird how good mine was. Hubby’s, not so close!  

We were also able to see the whole view of Chaing Mai. The city doesn’t seem so big until you are up there!!

The view of Chaing Mai.

Our final temple was Wat Jedyod. This Temple looked like we stepped right into Lara Croft Tomb Raider. It was awesome. After leaving Wat Doi Suthep, which was insanely busy and popular,  Wat Jedyod was so quiet. 

Wat Jedyod.

The buildings, which were there before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, were somewhat overgrown and falling apart. To me, that added to the charm. 

The most intact statute on the side of Wat Jedyod.

The temples are DEFINITELY. A must see in Thailand.