Napokae Rice Learning Centre Phatthalung 28 Dec 2019

We checked out from Varni Homestay a little bit late as we had our satisfying breakfast at Varni Homestay and we would want to enjoy the cosy environment there before we leave.

Our first destination of the day was Napokae Rice Learning Centre. It is actually quite near to Varni Homestay. We were there around 11.00am. The place has a small parking area in front of the centre.

Napokae is a newly landmark of Phatthalung, in the South of Thailand. It’s considered as one of beautiful tourist attractions of Phatthalung.

 

Napokae is Phatthalung language means rice field of grandfather or ancestor. ‘Na’ means rice field; ‘Po’ means grandfather and ‘Kae’ means ancestor. As you can see the name "Napokae" in Thai white letter on the first photo.

One would never forget once you enter the car park area. There is a huge buffalo which was handmade with straws stands in front of the entrance. The entrance fees is any amount you can pay.

This is a popular point that most people love to take photos with. The name of the cow is Ai Khao Chao Muang (Khao means white in English). 

We took a photograph with the scarecrow. The farmers use the scarecrow to chase crows not to come close to the rice fields and eat the rice. It is wisdom of the ancient farmers.

We can see some equipment that farmers use in the process of rice production; i.e. turbine baler, plow, etc. Very interesting!

We can also see “Kong”s in Thai. It is for containing fish, shrimp or frogs, etc. It is made of bamboo. It is normally small one that one can take with to the rice field or canal where the farmers can find fish, shrimp or frogs, etc.

This one is the giant “Kong” for us to take photos. We were quite fortunate that there was an Orang Asli dressed like and we took the opportunity to take photo with.

We came to a hut which is in the centre of the paddy fields. There is a live band there singing the authetic local Thai songs.

This is a place where you can learn the way of life of Phatthalung’s farmers. You can learn how to plow, how to plant rice, how to train buffalo to plow, and other knowledge of agriculture such as organic fertilizer, etc.

And you can plant the rice in the rice field by yourself, if you would like to try. In the old days, buffalo is the most important assistance to farmers. It is unfortunate that we seldom see them nowadays.

Apart from those things, we can ouch the charm of natural green rice fields closely. And here we are among very nice atmosphere; everywhere is green, green and green.

The green rice fields that are surrounded by natural wood or bamboo huts are spectacular as well.

If you love nature and want to learn the way of life of Thai farmers in Phatthalung, you must not miss this place.

There is a little pond of lotus and water lilies that we can see lovely blooms of them.

There is also a small retro theme cafe at the centre that serve food and beverage as it was a hot day and a cooling drink would definitely refreshing!

At our way out towards the exit, we came to the souvenir shop which sell so many things from clothing, handbags, local snacks, craft items and local products.

We were so happy with our visit here and we depart to our next destination – Kwanjai Bamboo Garden Market.

Chinese New Year Eve 24 Jan 2020

We are at Kuching to celebrate Chinese New Year since the last time we were here was 2 years ago. Brother Andrew be the chef this year.

There are total 10 dishes that we had for all. Before we had our reunion dinner, we have a group photos first!

Thale Noi Lake Phatthalung 28 Dec 2019

In the early morning, we woke up about 5.00am then we had our bath and change to a suitable clothing.

When we walked out from our room, there was already a man from the Varni Homestay waited for us and he wanted us to follow him.

We think that he was helping us to lead us to the boat tour place. Thus we made our way to the area. There were already tourist were waiting there.

The man helped us to talk to the boatmen then we boarded to the sampan. With the slow paddles the boatman got us away from the shore into the deeper side of the lake.

Then the boatman only started the boat's engine and we headed out. It was still dark when the boatman paddled into the dark.

I heard that he was murmuring, and I guessed he was mentioning about the darkness that surrounded us which made him difficult to see in the dark.

After a few trying then we turned in to a narrow shallow patch where the thin reed grass covered a big section of the lake, which now looks more like a flooded football field.

The sun was just about to rise, tingeing the blue sky with a bit of red. Unfortunately for us the clouds were so think that we think that it would be difficult to see the sun rise on the day.

In between these reed grass are narrow channels on which the boat navigate to head further out.

Out here the water plants have grown taller; leafy reeds stick out a high as five feet above the water and lotus plants can be seen more often.

After coming out from the connecting water channel, immediately we saw a lot of Yors at the centre. This is portion of the lake where the famous Sri Pak Pra Resort is.

We saw the sun had risen, it was a golden yellow sun came out from the grey thick clouds.

The day now is brighter and we could see better. We were so happy that we able to see the sun rise.

After we spent sometime on the mouth of the river, the boatman took us back to the Thale Noi through the same waterway we came from.

There were more birds flying around as the sun rise. Then there were whole flocks of them wading in the water, some flying around. Their fluttering wings breaking the silence of the morning.

It's a beautiful scene, the sky tinged red by the rising sun heralds a new day, and more birds came swooping low all around us. It's a flurry of activity!

Every now and then larger birds of prey, soaring high above, dive down to prey on those birds feeding on the fishes. It's a vicious cycle of evolution!

The boatman took us further to the centre of the lake. It is the place of water lilies. There were not many but few only. I guess it is not the season of water lilies yet.

The blooms are so beautiful, tempting us with their brilliant colours, we could just reach out and pluck them. But we just take nothing but photos.

Suddenly our boatman cut the boats' engine and we glided onwards quietly. As we slowed down, the boatmen took out their oars and pedalled us forward.

We were now on a wider canal, the Ban Klang Canal which leads towards the elevated highway.

This highway run on stilt-looking piers for a distance of 6.5 kilometres above this marshy wetlands.

We were heading towards the centre taller span which bridges over the Ban Klang Canal. Beyond the bridge is Lake Thale Luang; both Thale Noi & Thale Luang are part of the Greater Songkhla Lake.

Just after the bridge, fishermen nets could be seen casting their fishing nets into the water, hoping to haul in a good harvest.

The bridge forms the extreme point of the Thale Noi Water Fowl Reserve, before it no fishing or hunting of birds are allowed; beyond it, it's a free for all.

This point is also the furthest point of our boat tour, it was time to turn back.

Tourists are not the only ones on boats in the water. Locals too use the waterways as a means of transport between the towns and villages.

As we headed back, we can see a family of water buffaloes walked pass far away. We do not have the opportunity to see the water buffaloes swim by.

As we neared the pier, one bird swooped in a low pass, tilting it's wings to one side, seemingly giving us a "Welcome back" greeting.

In the brighter morning, our boatman took us back to the shore and we can see clearly now.

We reached the jetty and have a one last shoot of photos at the Thale Noi before we headed back to our hotel.

It is indeed an unforgettable boat ride or boat tour for us as we have never have this experience before.