Follow this photographic journey featuring the Akha hill tribe transplanting rice:

Khum Lanna + Chiang Mai Rice Paddies © Gennaro Salamone

We were set for a sunrise biking tour along the rural country road from San Kwang village to Phrao to visit the local markets. Leaving the charming Khum Lanna, we were met by steady rains that prevented a view of the sunrise. Despite that, the early showers on the emerald-green rice paddies provided a tranquil atmosphere for the sojourn.

Akha Hill Tribe Transplanting Rice © Gennaro Salamone

We visited the local markets, stopping for tea and an interesting traditional drink that consisted mainly of raw eggs, before heading off to the area of the rice paddies where the Akha tribe was transplanting rice. Working in the rice paddies appeared to be labor intensive, but smiles were common among the inhabitants. This work is essential to the economic success of Thailand, which is the world’s biggest rice exporter according to the Bangkok Post.

Local Farmer © Gennaro Salamone + Overzealous Travel Writer (Taken by Ted Beatie)

The highlight of the morning was an opportunity to join the Akha in the rice paddies for some hands-on learning. It’s one thing to observe the nature of the labor, but having your legs ankle deep in mud while bending to stick rice plants into the ground gives a new level of understanding. We were fortunate to have a guide who had relationships with the community. Sometimes, it’s worthwhile to forgo complete independence while traveling.

I was joined on the trip by travel writers: Angela Dollar, Ted Beatie, and Carlo Alcos. Visit and bookmark their websites. After that, view Lake Titicaca photos featuring the Uros people.

This trip to Thailand was courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The content and opinions in the article are those of the author.

 
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.

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Rice Farmers of Thailand Through the Lens

Vang Vieng is a standard stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia route. Though there is plenty of space for peaceful contemplation, the center of the town tends to be filled with young travelers enjoying re-runs of Friends and The Simpsons at the various restaurants. The diners often remove their shoes to sit cross-legged at tables encircled with couch-like seating.

That being said, the majority of the wanderers who enter the town are looking to break a sweat. Rock climbing, tubing, and mountain biking are just the beginning of the early morning activities. The cost for 1-3 days of rock climbing depends upon the number of travelers in your group. For up-to-date rates, examine the rates of well-established Green Discovery. If the sound of all that “work” is too much for your holiday, consider an inexpensive ($5-10 per hour) massage in the evenings.
Rock Climbing, Laos © Gennaro Salamone

Be sure to befriend a couple of fellow travelers in Vang Vieng. It is one of the easier places to meet people in Southeast Asia.

Read about meeting Buddhist monks or fishermen in Laos.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.

Receive our free content by e-mail directly to your inbox or through an RSS reader.

Post from: Enduring Wanderlust

Rock Climbing Over Rice Paddies