We got to sleep in today as our farming lesson is at the hotel's rice paddy. We went to our buffet breakfast before going to change in to our farmers outfits. A quick picture in the lobby before breakfast Following our breakfast we had a little time before our rice farming demonstration. We headed over to the fitness room to change into our farmers outfits. The happy rice farmers, Farmer Ted has nothing on us We all made our way over to the rice paddies. We stopped for a group picture. Our group ready to learn to be rice farmers Once we got over to a pavilion we all changed shoes to knee high rubber boots. We walked over to a paddy to pull rice stalks from the first planting. The immature rice plants are planted in a paddy and then flooded. Pulling the rice plants from the initial planting Re-planting the rice stalks further apart Once they grow to a certain point they are pulled and replanted in another paddy only further apart to allow for growth and expansion. This process more than doubles their yield. Its very labor intensive and not very profitable for the farmers. Once picked the stalks are dried then shaken over a large kettle The husks are next broken with this device to expose the kernel's Next you toss and flip the product to allow the broken husks to fall to the ground Everyone got a chance to try it out Nothing goes to waste. The broken rice kernels are used to make rice porridge, the husks are fed to chickens and the stalks are stacked and turned into compost. We were told that the prices are controlled by the middle man and so the men and women that grow the rice don't make a lot of money. The rice that is grown at the hotel is picked, dried, beaten, broken and flipped all by local's that are employed by the hotel and the finished rice is sold to the local inhabitants of the area. It's a very hard life but this experience gave me a new appreciation for where rice comes from Saying a little prayer and thanking the farmer for teaching us One final picture with our friendly neighborhood scarecrow This was a very enjoyable first hand experience and as I have already said I've gained a new respect for rice farmers. We headed back to change and get ready for lunch. After lunch at the hotel we left to go and visit the Doi Suthep Temple. Located about 9 miles from Chiang Mai is the sacred temple Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Actually the name of the mountain is Doi Suthep. The legend of its founding is actually taught to all school children in Chiang Mai. The temple dates back to the late 14th century and was established to enshrine what according to legend is a piece of the shoulder bone of the historical Gautama Buddha. The bone broke into 2 pieces with the smaller piece being enshrined at a temple in Suandok. The king had the larger piece placed on the back of a White Elephant and released into the jungle. The elephant proceeded to climb Doi Suthep, then it stopped, blasted its trunk or maybe I should just say it trumpeted 3 times and finally died. This was interpreted as an omen and the King ordered the building of the temple at the site the white elephant died. The statue of the legendary White Elephant Once we got off our bus we went up on a funicular car to get to the temples entrance. There is also a set of 306 steps for those that wish to purify themselves before entering the temple. Examples of gold covered structures inside the temple grounds One of the large bells hanging in a Pagoda On the temple grounds you see statues, pagodas, bells, shrines and a museum. There are symbols of both Buddhism and Hinduism. We saw statues of the Emerald Buddha and also the Hindu god Ganesh. Going into the temple of course required the removal of shoes and hats as a sign of respect. Examples of Buddha's inside the temple The famous Green Buddha Working our way through the crowds at the temple A Standing Buddha statue As we walked around the temple grounds we couldn't help but notice many large and small bells. According to ancient beliefs the ringing of the bells purifies the holy place. Many local people can not afford to give a large bell to the temple so they give small bells instead as a tribute. Small bells presented by people of Chiang Mai A row of large bells around the temple Gifts left as tributes to Buddha After our visit inside the temple we got our shoes and went back down the funicular car to get on our bus. We headed back into the city to take a Tuk-Tuk ride before going to dinner at a French restaurant. Looking back at some of our group in their Tuk-Tuk's The Tuk-Tuk at our 6 O'clock The happy couple captured from our left side Sights on our ride Coming up along side A selfie of the happy couple in their Tuk-Tuk An interesting advertisement on the back of our drivers seat Following our Tuk-Tuk ride we went right into Le Crystal for dinner Our dinner we were about to enjoy My entrée the Pan Fried Sea Bass The Crepe with Caramelized Fruit and Ice Cream The Petits Fours After enjoying this wonderful meal Barbara and I danced a little to the music of the small ensemble playing at the restaurant.
Next time we fly to Bangkok and have an afternoon canal tour and dinner cruise.
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