Chiang Mai: Mindful FarmStay 清迈: Mindful 农家寄宿

One of my most memorable experience was taking my parents for a farmstay in the peaceful Pang Term valley, 75 kilometers north west of Chiang Mai city. 

Pinan, a monk of over 20 years, and his brother initially had an organic farm in Doi Saket. (a district in eastern Chiang mai) One day, he met and felt in love with one of the volunteers; Noriko from Japan. He then renounced his monkhood and she later became his wife. 

They moved to Pang Term village, a village where he was born to start their own organic farm - Mindful farm. We did not get to meet his wife during our visit as she was back in Japan to give birth to their daughter, Nobara. Mindful farm warmly welcome visitors to stay and experience a mindful and peaceful way of life.  

Mindful farm's mission: To live in great harmony with the earth.

  

Our home in the farm was a cute little handmade mud hut (without a door!)  

Inside the mud house: It's cool and spacious that you could not have imagine!

For your reading pleasure and dining area with plentiful clean mountain air!

You can bring your high tech gadgets, electricity supply and wifi available!

Shower and toilet hut.

Pinan's family house where we sit and chat to get to know him better.

Pinan told us what their Thai King had said "Don't sell your land, put a seed into the ground and you'll never die of hunger!" Instantly, a wisdom seed was planted in my mind! 

Transplanting tomato plants into their allocated garden beds with tender care.

Mizuna (水菜) a popular Japanese vegetable, soft in texture and feathery looking.

Overlooking the organic farmland and beyond a quiet valley. I took my time of pleasure just watching the beauty of the untouched nature:- the gorgeous panoramic scenery of mountains with their lush vegetation and the surrounding landscapes. 

A little cottage on a hill belonging to a Korean who has been living there for years.

Back to the kitchen. Very hungry by now...

My mother is cooking dinner for us. 

Dinner at 6:15pm with a spread of healthy vegetarian dishes of freshly picked organic veggies from the farm and white steam rice. Eat all you can!

Flowering green vegetables (菜心)  stir-fry. Crunchy, farm fresh summer tasty! 

Little radish, Simply delicious!

he dark night came shortly after dinner. It was unexpectedly cold and freezing with chilly wind creeping through the windows. Felt as if it's like sleeping in an igloo!

My father hung a piece of carpet at the doorway to keep out the cold wind because there isn't a door that you can close. Unfortunately, instead of a week's stay, we have to leave the next day because the night was really too cold to endure.

Pinan came at 6:30am to lead us to the main road to take the songteow back to Chiang mai city. Although it was just an overnight stay, it left long lasting memories in our mind! A mindful farmstay might not transform you to be a farmer, but it certainly will change your perception of life for sure. Life can be just that simple and happy!

NOTE:

1. Weather condition vary throughout the year.
2. Farmstay costs 150 baht per day/person (inclusive of accommodation and food.)
3. Vegetarian meals only. NO smoking and NO alcohol. 
4. Going to the washroom may be a little inconvenience in the (dark) night.
5. Don't forget to look at the beautiful sky at night!
6. There is ONLY one songteow trip to and from the valley each day. 
7. Inform Pinan to 'book' a songteow before your departure date.

HOW TO GET THERE:
1. Go to Warorot market. Take a yellow songteow which is going to Samoeng.
2. Inform the driver you're going to Mindful Farm at Pang Term village. 
3. A stop at Samoeng before Mindful Farm which is still quite a distance away.  
4. The driver will call Pinan and someone will come to lead you to the farm.
5. Total travelling time takes about 4 hours. (one way)

For more information: http://www.mindfulfarmers.org/

Chiang Mai: Chinatown Chinese New Year Bazaar 2012 清迈唐人街华人新年商场

Chiang Mai's Chinese New Year festival is intended to celebrate the New Year and to preserve the inheritance of Thai-Chinese traditions as well as to boost the tourism industry. The festival was held at Chinatown from 22-24th Jan 2012. 

Chiang Mai's Chinatown is located in between Warorot Market and Ton Lamyai Market by the side of Ping River. It is perhaps the busiest shopping areas in Chiang Mai. The roads were closed for 3 days for the new year bazaar with rows of stalls selling a great variety of Chinese New Year goodies, clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, customary products and popular Thai food. 

 Crowded Streets

Sale Sale SALE

Sale Sale SALE

Sparkling Juices and Champagnes  

Snacks, Tit bits and Goodies  

Colourful Preserved Fruits 



Roasted Chestnuts  

Roasted Sunflower Seeds

 

Homemade Cakes and Desserts  

Dim Sum Siu Mai



Varieties of Deep Fried Sausages  

Fish Balls and Fish Cakes



Grilled Chicken and Fruit Kebab  

Grilled Squids with Special Sauce

Roasted Pork and Suckling Pig 

Stew Pork Knuckle



Crispy Noodles  

Pad Thai (fried noodle)



Varieties of Fried Rice.  

The Only Shady Spot - under the overhead bridge. 

Eating in the middle of the street, Once a year!

Here comes the Lion 



Boss, ang pao Please..



新年快乐 from us at Chinatown, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

Chiang Mai: Borsang Umbrella Festival 2012

Borsang, a small village, 10km from Chiang Mai is renowned for its exquisitely hand-painted umbrellas, parasols, fans, lanterns made from mulberry paper and silk.

Each year, these unfailing dazzling creations, are the heart and focus of the annual Borsang Umbrella Festival to celebrate Chiang Mai's umbrella-making heritage with three days of contests, cultural performances, exhibitions, processions, variety shows and crowning of Miss Borsang pageant as the main highlight. Although this is the best time to come, other time of the year is also worth a visit.

Took a free VIP tram ride (driven and escorted by policemen and tour guide) along the 1km main street which is beautifully decorated to liven up the festival. You may take a round trip or drop off at any point you want and board again when they come by. 

 

At the village, visitors can watch umbrellas being made and choose one from the numerous gorgeous colorful designs and other handicrafts or souvenirs as they make wonderful keepsakes and gifts for anybody.

HOW TO GET THERE: 111/2 BorSang-Sankamphaeng Road

1. By your own
Drive along San Kamphaeng road about 10km south east of Chiang Mai.

2. By Red Songteaw (anywhere in the city centre.)
Fare: about 100-200 Baht per trip

3.By White Songtaew  
Parked at the footbridge of Ping River. (near flower market at Chinatown)
Fare: 15 baht per person. (Tell driver to drop you at Borsang or else you end up in Sankamphaeng)

NOTE: 
Cross over to the other side of the road to catch any white songteaw back to Chiang Mai. Fare:15 Baht per person.