Real Thai Experiences

 Experiencing a country is much more than seeing ancient architecture.  Its about the food, the people, and the culture.  We got a touch of these in Thailand.

fresh durian did not stink!

these signs were everywhere - airport, hotel, stores

BBQing rats with soy sauce

eating said rat- did not taste like chicken

bananas everywhere in Kom Pac Pic province

frying banana slices

banana plants ready for planting

food court in mall - lunch prep

their version of walmart - jeans sold across isle from fish

no explanation

We stopped in Phrae, the city of indigo dye and teak. The indigo business had reduced to no longer support the community. As people left the town, one woman made it her mission to bring it back. Once she got the attention of the Queen of Thailand, the area gained recognition and popularity.   We met this woman, and then stamped our own fabric that they dyed for us.

woman who reintroduced indigo business to Thailand

dying process

stamping the fabric with wax

Rural elementary school supported by our tour company, not the government, due to its size and being rural.

A highlight was visiting Ban Prop Prahn elementary school with 49 students. We were greeted by the kids as soon as we got off our bus. Each of us was accompanied by our escort who would take care of us for our short visit. My escort held my hand the entire time, pulling me to the next activity. The kids do this for each of the tour groups so they have the routine down.  First the kids line up by age, sign the national anthem, pray and then we exercised with the kids to music.  We handed out school supplies that included a bunch of high bouncing balls that made their way to every corner of the school.

Each of our hosts took us to their classroom where we did a joint paper folding project.  Then it was time to sing - they and us.  Followed by a trip to the library - donated by our tour company - and a visit to the modern bathrooms - also donated by tour company.  We all got to play in the play yard until it was time to leave.

some of the older students in the band

handing out supplies

my student in the flowered sweater escorted me around the classrooms

kite was made my the Turk for his student who flew it the rest of the morning

Other adventures in this trip included going to the fabric museum.  It was interesting to me how the woven patterns were similar to old Turkish carpet patterns.

This area is also known for their teak, and so, their furniture. We passed furniture stores along the roadside for many miles on our way to Chaing Rai.

Exploring Beyond Bangkok

Heading north from Bangkok we stopped at the King's summer palace.  Originally built in 1632, rebuilt after a fire, this location is cooler than Bangkok and situated on lush grounds. The palace grounds are patterned after the Forbidden City in Beijing - though I did not think so!

beautiful building on island in lake used to be on land until water was rerouted here

looking at tower and chinese pavilion

chinese pavilion seen from tower

door of Chinese pavilion

elephants everywhere on the grounds of summer palace

We stopped for lunch at a restful hotel where we got to see water buffalo up close.

cannon ball tree-Buddha slept under one

lunch!

water buffalo and baby

We stopped at a Wat to see the monks and their beautiful Buddha - considered by many to be the most beautiful.  Monks were taking an exam under a big tent - so we were especially quiet.

monks taking a test

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beautiful buddha draped in cloth

side view

more buddhas

10000 buddhas

monks go shopping

Chinese graveyard. Buddhists cremate their dead

Ayutthaya and Sukhothai Ruins Not Ruined by UNESCO

Ayutthaya was the second capital of Thailand founded in 1350, and located equidistant from China and India. It was burnt to the ground by Burmese (as seemed to be a trend) in 1700s.  Builders and architects who worked on Ayutthaya applied similar plans to the lay out of Bangkok when it was established as the third capital of Thailand. Today, it s a UNESCO site and beautiful grounds.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram -the site is known for its stupas (chedis), some of which are being shored up by UNESCO funds

 It is very popular in Thailand lately to wear period costume for events, for walking around, and for visiting historic locations where a TV soap opera called Love Destiny, placed at Ayutthaya, takes place.  The period drama is the story of a  modern archaeologist who dies and is reincarnated in the body of a noble woman living in the 15th century Ayutthaya.  Her travails captured audiences across Thailand, Cambodia, Korea, China and even Russia.  The popularity of the show has renewed interest in Thai history and attendance by Thais at historic sites has grown significantly.

visiting the location of popular TV drama, in character

a chedi that housed a Buddha statue

Buddha within chedi chapel

main temple

On to Sukhothai - the first capital of Siam (Thailand) in the 13th and 14th centuries. The area is really three ancient towns which requires BICYCLES to get around and see it all before sunset.  This is also a UNESCO site.

ready to ride!

some Buddhas are outside

so serene -S

stupa from roofless temple

standing Buddha

love the elephants

That evening we walked around town and found a modern temple where a family was presenting their offerings. It is calming to see families so actively practicing their beliefs.

 To enter a temple, even a ruin, one must dress conservatively. Shoulders and legs to the knee are covered.  Shoes are always removed which leaves a huge assortment of international shoes outside of the more famous temples!

shoes are never worn in a temple.

We stayed in a beautiful, restful hotel!