CHIANG
MAI
I
was offered a 5D4N trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand titled
“Perseverance, Sustainability and Development” by Fairview International School Baccalaureate Middle Years Program
Grade 9 Expedition, in 2015.
Going
to Chiang Mai is "fun" as it is a trip with the Grade 11 students as
well as teachers.
The
objective - is to discover Chiang Mai, encourages students in participating in activities, experienced the culture of Thailand, and apply critical
knowledge gained after interaction with the environment in Chiang
Mai, in real life context.
 |
| ROYAL CHEDIS |
DAY
1
Doi
Inthano National Park (The Roof of Thailand) - proceed to jungle trekking – reach the Gate to Himalayan Range - cooling, surrounded
with dense forests, and waterfall. The
National Park started in 1972 with 482 square, elevates ranges between
800-2565 m above sea level, with Doi Inthanon
as the highest mountain in Thailand, and the mountain is part of Himalayan mountain range.
 |
| GATE TO HIMALAYAN RANGE OF MOUNTAIN |
Next,
visit to the Royal Chedis (Twins Chedis) – constructed by Thai Royal Air Force to honor the 60th birthday of
the King and Queen in 1987 & 1992. The darker color chedi with
brown tint is Phra Mahathat Chedi Nophamethanidol – the king, while
the light-blue is Phra Mahathat Chedi Noppholbhumsiri – the queen. The area is beautifully landscaped with a stunning display of flowers and on a clear day, one can view the northern Thailand and mountains of Burma (west).
 |
| ROYAL CHEDIS |
 |
| BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE AT TWIN CHEDIS SITE |
On
the way, we stop by the Royal Agriculture Project established under
the royal initiative in 1982 – covers the area of Khun Mae Kuang
National Forest Reserve, Chiang Mai Province covers – 1,360 hectares. The objective of the project is to conduct study research and experimentation on development methods suited the development needs of the northern region, on conservation of watersheds, reforestation and agricultural development.
 |
| ROYAL AGRICULTURE PROJECT |
We also drop by the Wachirathan Waterfall –
for a cooling session as we watch the majestic waterfall from all
angles.
 |
| WACHIRATHAN WATERFALL |
The next place is one of my favorite Wat Sri Su Phan Temple (Silver
Shrine) – founded in 1501 under King Mengrai. The temple has been renovated several times. The most evident in the design of the main ordination hall (ubosot). Many of the work carried out using ally and zinc with precious silver being reserved for the holy images. Here, ladies are not allowed to enter the ubosotha. Behind the temple is the
Lanna Craft Wisdom Nusam.
 |
| SILVER TEMPLE |
 |
| LANNA CRAFT WISDOM NUSAM |
DAY
2
Can't
wait for the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, established in 1993 - covers elephant show, elephant bathing and playing games and do visit
the world's first Elephant Hospital for Service and Action activity. Currently, there are more than 50 Asian elephants living here. It is also an important facility for elephant welfare in Thailand.
 |
| THAI ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTRE |
 |
| ELEPHANT BATHING SHOW |
By
afternoon, we visited Wat Phra That Lampang Luang Temple – a
Lanna-style Buddhist temple, in Lampang Province.
 |
| WAT PHRA THAT LAMPANG LUANG TEMPLE |
Teak
House or the “Baan Sao Nak”
is a house of many pillars - built in 1895 by Mong Chan Ong Chandraviroj as a resident. Since the
original owner was a Mon ethnic from Burma, the house was designed in a combination of northern Thai and
Burmese architectures. The verandah around the house shows a distinct
Burmese architecture, while the roofs and general structure are
typical Lanna Thai. The wonder of the house is that it is supported
by 116 teak pillars.
 |
| TEAK HOUSE "BAAN SAO NAK" |
DAY
3
In
the morning – we were driven to a village – to do social work –
helping a temple to clean up and donating household items to them.
Here, the students had to help out in teaching a group of children,
some clean up the surrounding and some wash the temple.
 |
| SOCIAL WORK AT VILLAGES |
By
afternoon – visited the Chiang Mai City Arts & Crafts,
Chiang Mai Historical Centre and Lanna Folk Life Museum – located in
town area.
 |
| CHIANG MAI HISTORICAL CENTRE |
 |
| CHIANG MAI CITY ARTS & CRAFTS |
DAY
4
At
the umbrella factory, we were asked to paint on the tiny
umbrella - a DIY session.
 |
| HANDS ON PAINTING UMBRELLA |
 |
| SHOWOFF OUR NICELY PAINTED UMBRELLA |
Next,
we visited the Shinawatra Thai Silk shop – the
oldest hand-woven silk factory in Thailand, to observe the process of silk making by skillful craftsmen at work.
DAY
5 DEPARTURE
OCTOBER 19 - 23, 2015
OCTOBER 19 - 23, 2015
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