Chiang Mai: Riding Water Buffalo to Paddy Field 清迈:骑着水牛去水稻田

In addition to our academic Thai Language class at Payap University, one complement of classroom learning was an experiential activity of paddy planting in Mae Rim, a district in the central part of Chiang Mai Province. (about 35 km from the city of Chiang Mai) 

The journey was tranquil with great scenic charm, and we; chattering happily and eagerly awaiting to reach our destination. There, at a beautiful farm, a healthy water buffalo greeted us warmly together with the friendly farmers. 

"WHAT? Ride a Water Buffalo? HoW??"

Getting up on the buffalo was not easy, even with the help of a BIG PuSh. 

Successfully riding on the Buffalo.

Luckily, I had Jessica in the front so i could held tightly onto her waist.

Surprisingly, a buffalo's leathery skin is smooth and silky, 

even under the harsh sun and without applying SK II.

Okay, almost there... Felt Sorry for the Buffalo...

Hope we were not toO heavy for him.

Getting down from the Buffalo was even tOugher.

I don't want to fall like a Giant Potato!!

Rice Planting in Thailand. CoOL!!

Haven't even try that back home in Malaysia. 

PleaSe, Please don't let gO of me.. I didn't bring extra clothing.

Oh no, Kathy was almost done and i haven't even started!!

- Transplanting Paddy -  

Bend your body 90 degree, Make a hOle in the mud, Put in the rice plant.

(And hope it won't collapse..)

  

I'm NOT Slow.....

I'm Just Worrying if there is a Snake doing pole dancing around my legs

or kissing my tOes!!

(as a matter of fact, there are no snakes but big leeches in paddy fields.

But Mae Rim has got the largest snake farm in the region!!)

Yeah! Last batch and I'm done. Will be back for the harvesting time!!

Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice which represents a significant part of Thai economy and culture. Rice production uses up over half of the farmable land area and labour force. 

Thailand is also known for producing one of the finest high quality rice in the world, using old strains of better/higher quality, rather than the modern high producing strains. The Hom Mali rice (Jasmine rice) is the only indigenous rice in the world with a natural fragrance.

Like Sabah and Sarawak (in Malaysia), many of Thailand's cultural festivals coincide with the planting and harvesting seasons. Rice plays an important symbolic role in many religious festivals and as an essence of Thai life. 

The half day experiences of a paddy farmer: from the faithful water buffalo to working at the slippery muddy field under the hot sun always reminded me how precious each grain of rice is, and locked me in thoughts each time i have a bowl of rice. From then on, not a grain of rice shall gone into waste.

After taking a lunch break, we headed to the Exhibition hall. Took our class group photo before we were on our way to a local market.

-My International Friends-
Back row: Carol, Brett, Kathy, Averill, Tom, Annie
Front row: Ronald, Ajahn Om (Lecturer), LuLu, Jessica, Michael

Chiang Mai: Hillside Payap Condo 清迈 Hillside Payap 公寓

Hillside Payap Condo (front view)

So I happily moved to Room 204, a 40 sq.m Studio  Apartment at Hillside Payap Condo 7. located at Chiang Mai Business Park; 20 mins to Payap University, 30 mins to Carrefour Hypermarket (now taken over by Big C Extra),  5 mins to German Microbrewery Restaurant and 10 mins to Khum Khantoke Restaurant. (a cultural restaurant)

Room 204 has smooth pinewood flooring, furnished with a Queen - sized bed, air-condition, hot and cold water shower bathroom, a standing fan, a fridge, TV, a kitchen area, wooden built in wardrobe, 2 rattan chairs and 1 rattan table with a bright breezy balcony. Rental exclude: electricity, water, telephone, Internet and use of common area. 

Top security access to the room and 24 hours security guards around the condo. The best thing was: No strict housing contract. Just a simple tenancy agreement and 1 month deposit. Nice room too.

The next best thing was nobody would switch off the aircon in the middle of the night! The most memorable thing was i met many interesting and friendly people here. Again, I don't know how many times have i said, "I'm a Malaysian, not Japanese."

Hillside Payap Condo (back view)

Walked to Payap University at 8am (Mon-Fri) passing a football field.

This cow always "MoOo" at me and I "MoOo" back toO.

I suppose it meant "Greetings to You"??

Chiang Mai: Payap University 清迈 Payap 大学

A private institution founded by the Church of Christ. Established in 1974, it is a founding member of the Association of Private Higher Education Institutions, a member of the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning.

Payap is a Liberal Arts and Pre-Professional University offering 22 Thai Language degrees in 12 departments and 4 International undergraduate degrees in English.

There are 3 campuses. I attended the Mae KhaO Campus - the largest campus with 120 acres low-lying land; housing tutorial rooms, administrative Offices, library and laboratories. Mae KhaO Campus is located east of the city ring road on the Super Highway Chiang Mai-Lampang Road. 

One of the Entrance to the Campus

The Luce Chapel is in the heart of the campus. It's a nice day to begin each morning walking pass The Luce Chapel; seeing swallows jetting through the sky, singing round and round the chapel and then piloting their way to their cooling home underneath the chapel, surrounded with uniQue water pond.

The Graduate and International Studies Building, just a few meters behind the chapel. My tutorial room is on the top floor. There is NO lift facility within the building. Thus, I had to climb flights of stairs every Monday to Friday before class starts at 9 a.m. Now you know how i lost those pounds and inches off my body and loving it!!

The Faculty of Law Building

The Library 

The Paradornparp International House is a three-storey International Dormitory that can accommodate 204 worldwide and Thai students, 36 professors and staffs.

I don't know how many times have i said "I'm a Malaysian.. NOT Japanese.."

"Watashi wa nihon jin jai nai.. watashi wa maresia jin desu" 

"Saya orang Malaysia, bukan orang Jepun"

" 我是马来西亚人, 不是日本人" 

" De chan bpen Kon Mah-lay-see-a.. Kon yee-bpoon mai bpen.."

But turned around, they still ask, "hey, do you eat this in Japan??" while pointing to the curry. ArGghhh...... 

Boarding fee include a shared twin room and two meals (mon-fri) plus a strict housing agreement contract!! Sign before you board.

Electricity and water bills were shared with a room mate. (who switched off the air con in the middle of the night, leaving me sweating till morning!! Feel like jumping onto her bed and bite her like a mad dog until even she begs for mercy also i won't stop!!)

Breakfast: 7am- 9:30am. Dinner: 5pm-7p.m. Mon-Fri only. (Sat and Sun eat yourself)

Other facilities: Free use of computers in the IT room, coin-operator laundry room, a lounge area with TV and a mini convenient store.

Stayed in Room 2309 - left after 1 week for other private accommodation nearby. YahOoo..YiPeee.. Yeah YeaH YEAH...