My final destination in Loei is Chiang Khan and this small town brings a lot of surprises for new timers like me and no blog post of mine is complete without a tour to another garden in that area.
There are so many areas to take photographs of and there are a number of people waiting in turn to find that best spot. The gestures of those who wait is simply divine. There is give and take, taking turns which is a dying trait.
Another amazing thing about this trip is that whatever empty lands the locals have, they turn them into something beautiful with very little profit. They know that the influx of new tourists, both local and foreign, will support their surrounding businesses.
Imagine if all people would have that entrepreneurial spirit, then I will see nobody just hanging around for the income earner to give them their share. Each work generates an income whether little or enough. It takes a bit of creativity and some courage to start.
A mere walk and shoot becomes a bright idea for others to follow. I surely learn many things from my travels and the reflections, enriching!
Tagsibol ba d'yan? Parang ang dami mo na napuntahan na mga garden :) So refreshing siguro d'yan hehehe.
ReplyDeleteThe give and take gestures always happen in Thailand to this day. I never saw this in China and am now squirming my head as I plan the next trip there.
ReplyDeleteYou have so much advantages to visit all these neighbouring towns from your Nontaburi base. I realised I won;t have this blessing and advantages for going to Thailand as a visitor.
I am curious whether the Thais actually grew so many flower gardens, purely for tourism or they do harvest them for sale & export??
Hi Jep,
ReplyDeleteWinter kasi so most of the flowers are in bloom. Remember, yung mga flower gardens were built to attract tourists both locals and international and they are doing well. I am really fond of gardens and wherever I am, I make sure I vist one or two.
Hi TM,
ReplyDeleteI can do the traveling because I have some vacation days as a teacher. When I do go, I try to visit the places not filled with tourists and even places where only locals visit. This way, I get to know Thais better and the people in the countryside are far better than those living in the city. There is so much to learn, take, and give.
Flower gardens are built in empty lands as an addition to their local attractions. The flowers are mostly grown in cold places and distributed all around. They are also famous for exporting them abroad. Try to walk at their flower market one day and you will be amazed by the variety they offer. I used to go to the market just to get some roses when the travel time to my house is alomst one hour and a half.
Are you going to China as a tourist? I have visited China twice but in both visits, I saw many different things.
I was often marvelled by all the flowers sold in the Songkhla markets when I was a small kid. I had no idea then, where those blooms of cold climate came from.
DeleteYes, I am planning to visit Xian again this year end. From there I hop onto the 22 hour train ride to see Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. When Buddhism was first preached in China from India, the Sakyamuni Buddha arrived at Dunhuang. The elaborate drawings inside these many caves are still clear and intact. To date I guess I have visited China 6 times and seen many nice places & weirdest people. That's what I wrote on my blog profile.
All the flights and hotels in China are unbelievably cheapest at year end.
Beautiful flowers...lovely garden...!
ReplyDelete22 hours train ride is going to kill me as I can only stand less than 10. But to see the caves with elaboarte drawings would be a marvel and for religious people, a sacred site. Wish I have all the time to see what is in China so that I could also learn from my heritage. My grandparents left without any stories to tell. It was my responsibility to document my grandparents' lives when I first stepped on Xiamen where they came from. Walking from house to house, the photos and stories I wrote for my grandma gave her chills and tears. A return trip would be great. We become educated by our travels and by our encounter with many people. Yours are truly amazing, and more power to traveling.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I must read back your trips to Xiamen in your blog. You are a great dramatic blogger who could make all grandmas cry rivers!! Lol So you must be from the Hokkien clan. My ancestors probably came from villages of Swatow in Canton (Guangdong ) I always thought of visiting Xiamen but it doesn't seem to have those ancient palaces or sites to lure me. Maybe I am wrong here.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit doubtful about myself riding the 22 hour train in Winter. Not sure if they have heating inside the trains as dunhuang will be around zero degrees.
Such a nice place to visit... very invigorating!!! parang once you leave the place, you are reenergized for the days ahead :)
ReplyDeleteHello again TM,
ReplyDeleteYes, we are from the Hokkien clan and my recollection of my Xiamen trip were that of a school's inaguration and also of a temple. There were not much in the city at that time I first visited but I was told it is nicer and developed because of trading ports. I have no blog entries of my previous travels because I have no intention to post them before. It just so happen I wanted to relive each moment that I started writing them down.
The pics are all in storage. One day, when I get the chance to visit Manila then I will be taking them out of their boxes, scan, tell their stories and post them.
I was already afraid of the 22 hours train ride and now, 0 degrees, no thanks, ha,ha,ha! But since you are an avid traveler, go so I can learn more from your experience.
Hi Cher,
ReplyDeleteTrue indeed! However, the garden is not a permanent structure unlike the ones you see in Paris or Beijing. I am thinking what they do once all the flowers are gone especially when summer comes and water is not that available.
Make visiting parks and garden an itinerary wherever you go. You experience something different with nature.