I want immortalize a few butterflies in pixels — a kinder alternative to capturing them in a net — but I don ’ t feel the camera does them justice . ( For those who really do want a flower or insect frozen in time , the gift shop sells lacquered and goldtrimmed orchids , and butterflies in picture frames or bell jars .)
THE RICE PADDY EXPERIENCE
On the last day of our trip , having swum and supped and slept all we wanted , there is a final activity for us to do as a family : rice planting .
We dress in Thai rice farmer outfits — indigo-dyed tops and pants , a red-andwhite sash for the waist , and traditional hats . But the most curious aspect of our ensembles are the long socks that we wear instead of shoes or boots . With just these socks on , we traverse a boardwalk and a patch of grass and step into the rice paddy . Hotel staff hand us green stalks that we plunge into the ashy , sticky mud with our hands .
It ’ s not easy to lift our legs once we squish our toes into the mud .
We see why there is no point in shoes — any kind of boots would have stuck to the bottom of the paddy and departed from our feet . Just a few steps is tiring , and , while we were only in the rice paddy for about half an hour , we could better understand and appreciate the kind of work traditional rice farmers endure — something to think about each time we enjoy a bowl of fluffy jasmine rice .
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The girls were right to have been excited about their trip to Dhara Dhevi . The gorgeous architecture , the luxurious spa and the educational trip to the rice paddy are now memories that I hope to keep forever . I think they will , too .
When I think back on my most memorable trips , some of the best of them involve challenges overcome , frictions interrupted and resolved , unanticipated needs met , new horizons explored . I believe in places that are comfortable but not precious , places where the mechanics blend into the background and the location itself — the built part and the natural part — can step out into the starring role that it so richly deserves . Places where children can thrive and adults can find fleeting bliss . Places where bites of food and unexpected interludes can echo pleasantly for days , and where single grains of rice can produce slivers of lasting wisdom .
Such was our family ’ s experience at Dhara Dhevi . It is the best of Thailand , and for a few striking , relaxing days it brought out the best of us .
FLY WITH BANGKOK AIRWAYS
Fly with Bangkok Airways , Wanderlust Magazine ’ s preferred airline , for your trip to Chiang Mai .
CONTACT
To learn more about Dhara Dhevi visit www . dharadhevi . com .
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