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2012 Biennial of the IPS - Part 1: South Thailand Pre-Tour


Trópico

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5:45 PM: We arrived and checked in at the Rua Rasada Hotel in Trang. Members were greeted with a Light Mango Shake, one of their drinks of the month.

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The spacious room's most prominent feature was the LARGE size window opening into a rounded terrace.

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Our room overlooked some tennis courts directly below then a view of a large empty lot amid suburban Trang. It was at best drizzling and at worst copiously raining so we never saw or, much less, went into the pool.

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I don't have pics of the nice evening dinner, with soothing classical background music and the sweat and tears shed at the tone of one of the most spicy meals I've ever had, but that's how Day 2 ended.

Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The events of the day, compiled by our guide Steven.

Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Day 3: Friday, September 7, 2012

Rua Rasada Hotel, Thap Thiang, Muang Trang, Trang, Thailand

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6:56 AM: After we woke up around 5:30 AM and packed our luggage, we joined our guide Steven for breakfast. Since we had to change hotels on a daily basis on the Biennial Pre-Tour (except the last one), every day our morning drill included waking up early and packing our luggage before breakfast.

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This hotel's breakfast bar offered some exquisite Thai dishes that we did not find elsewhere in the tour. This particular one was my Biennial All-time favorite, easily rivaling the heavenly Thai cup cakes. Two types of sticky rice ข้าวเหนียว (kao niaw) wrapped in banana leaves. The dark one was so delicious that I thought, oblivious of sticky rice's existence, that it was something made from cocoa.

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Errata #002: In post #12, Day 2: Thursday, September 5, 2012 should read Day 2: Thursday, September 6, 2012 . Just took me a day and a copy/paste operation to figure it out. :)

Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Rua Rasada hotel lobby main staircase

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Tuk-tuk parked just outside of the hotel entrance. The auto rickshaw, called tuk-tuk (ตุ๊กตุ๊ก pronounced "took-took") is a widely used form of urban transport in Thailand. It is particularly popular where traffic congestion is a major problem. The name comes from the onomatopoeic mimic of the sound of a small engine.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Frank,

It appears the trip is going very smoothly. In another words, I WISH I COULD OF BEEN ALONG FOR ALL THE FUN!!!! I look forward to more adventure.... :drool:

Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Fountain with Chinese serpents. Serpent symbolism (Nagas) is very predominant in oriental culture, mythology, and religion. Far in the parking lot, some members begin loading luggage into the bus while taking photographs of the big shrine.

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Local architecture reminds me of newer style strip malls you could find while driving on 434.

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The hotel, oddly shaped like a boat coming out of a building... :hmm:

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The hotel's shrine housing Brahma (Phra Phrom), the four faced hindu god of good fortune and protection for the Thai people.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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7:56 AM: We left the hotel in the lovely city of Trang, en route to Wang Wiset District, Trang province.

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Our palm expert guide Anders Lindstrom of Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Gardens briefed the group on the palm species we were going to see at the locations visited that day.

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Guide Ron kept us entertained and informed in the hour long bus trip.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Along the way we saw street plantings of Borassus flabellifer as well as more common tropical palms.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Mahalo / Gracias / Thank You very much Frank for this wonderful detailed message thread from our Southern Thailand Pretour adventures - I met Ryan on my first Biennial (Costa Rica 2008), and his love of photography and willingness to share his experiences inspired me to then enter the fun world of digital photography.

Your photos and narrative are in the tradition of Ryan the Great, and much appreciated!

Dan on the Big Island of Hawai'i / Dani en la Isla Grande de Hawai

Events Photographer roving paparazzi "konadanni"

Master Gardener, University of Hawai’i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

Certified Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

LinkedIn & email: konadanni@gmail.com / Facebook & Twitter & Google Plus: DanTom BigIsland

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Thanks Dan, and a pleasure to meet you!

This nice Dypsis baronii somehow got in the way when I took the picture. :drool:

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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9:28 AM: Location: A street by a hill to be climbed, somewhere in the Wang Wiset District, Trang. (sorry, I had no idea where in the world district was this).

Now for some climbing background music! กล้วยไทย

(.....ID on 3:28....?)

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We arrived in the middle of an oil palm plantation. We got to take a closer look at the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Heavy duty deep forest insect repellent scent suddenly filled the fresh rural air, and covered many an exposed arm, leg, neck, or face.

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Several members made it to what looked like a private residence not far from the road and into the oil palm plantation.

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Each member was given a bamboo stick which was essential for the upcoming climb.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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More staff from Nong Nooch Pattaya joined us for this expedition, with a decent camera coverage.

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Member Francisco del Real, from Mexico, walks back to join the group. There was a decent line for the last chance "happy room".

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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9:35 AM: Our guide staff led the way across the oil palm plantation to reach the path that took us to the hill.

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A sudden clearing of the field revealed the deceptively small looking hill that we set to climb, to the left.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Member Yenny fully geared up and ready to climb!

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Yours truly against a denser forest setting (At this point, my brand new Ron Jon explorer's hat was miles away, on its way to Bangkok. I left it on the back seat of one of the mini buses the day before :angry: The guides located it but I told them to keep it as a gift).

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Several of us took a short break as the hike was slowly becoming a bit sloped at this point. Yenny Lozada smiles for the camera as member David Tanswell talks to staff guides. Michael Merritt (Mike in Kurtistown) appears ready for the challenge.

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"Let's go!"

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The ground was carpeted with these cool looking ferns with new copperish leaf.

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A few of us were already slightly ahead.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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9:45 AM: The steep climb began. Our guides came previously and fitted the trail with a rope tied to many trees all the way to the top of the hill. David was chosen to lead the way.

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First palm in habitat spotted, a Calamus species, about a third of the way up. Shoe for size.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The climb is steeper than it looks.

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And at one point it seems like it goes on forever.

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And here it is, Maxburretia furtadoana.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Trunk densely covered in persistent leaf sheats turned into spines.

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The palm occurs from two thirds of the way up all the way to the top of the hill.

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Genus name in honor of Max Burret, a German botanist.

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Discovered by John Dransfield in 1978.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The view from the top of the hill to nearby hills whose tops disappeared into the fog.

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Dr. Larry Klotz made it to the top efficiently handling the bamboo pole with one hand and the rope with the other. We were lucky to not have to deal with leeches in this part of the country.

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10:04 AM: The quest is complete!

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This one had a few old infructescences and a few new ones with no viable seeds.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Member Ramón Valle Garcia from Guadalajara, Mexico enjoying the view. I don't recall whether he was having a smoke, or fog was hovering over his hat, or a water droplet fell on my camera lens.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The habitat of Maxburretia furtadoana.

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There was also this species of orchid but unfortunately none were in flower at the time.

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In the distance the surrounding hills loomed dark and grim.

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This must be the oldest individual we found.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Yenny, Frank, Ramón, Jorge.

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Ground cover gives you an idea of how humid it is.

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Young inflorescence.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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New leaf color.

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Just as I turned my head around after taking the last picture, I noticed this weaver ant colony just at eye level. Our guides told us they don't sting but they bite quite painfully, but ceases to hurt when they let go, as they don't inject any acid like fire ants.

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Amazing how they pull the leaves together to make their nests.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Frank,

Your doing a great job with showing all of us that could not make the trip...and wish that we could of! Amazing pictures and narrative is superb! Truely enjoying all of this.

Jeff

Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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I agree with Jeff, splendid job so far Frank! keep it up please... !

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

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Up came Steven our guide to capture the event for his daily video. That very night we were enjoying his work!

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10:25 AM: The group picture. Not naming the guides (I don't know their names), from left to right, back row: Grant Stephenson (palm a grant it), Paul Craft (Licuala), Barbara Van Derveer, Frank Lozada (Trópico), Ramón Valle Garcia, Michael Merritt (Mike in Kurtistown); middle row: Jim, Tony (TonyDFW), Jorge del Real, Dan Ashley (KONADANTOM); front row: Anders Lindstrom, and Francisco del Real.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Weaver ant's empire.

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More members who I didn't have the opportunity to picture made their way up eventually, so that every member present had the opportunity to be at that amazing place, get to know that particularly rare palm, and enjoy the scenery.

10:40 AM: The descent began. Ramón and Francisco found out (as well as myself and many other members) that the way down, although downhills, proved to be harder than imagined. There was always the threat of slipping, and our feet got tired quickly, much like applying the brakes for many minutes while driving on a long downhills road.

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As for myself, I get distracted very easily. I spotted this Calamus sp. on the way down and I stopped for a closer look. It was my first time ever seeing any member of this fascinating palm genus. And after I touched it didn't let me go (literally). :drool:

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The spines!

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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"Trunking". It is FASCINATING how that palm literally dives through the jungle in search for light, as we shall see later.

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Trunk base with spiny old leaf sheaths.

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Under leaf with "hooks", convenient for climbing.

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New leaf spear.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Flagellum.

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10:58 AM: Consequently I was the last one back down.

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Got a little sidetracked in the oil palm plantation. Elaeis guineensis fruit.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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I had a feeling I was not here on the way up. :hmm:

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11:04 AM: But finally arrived at the house, after finding the street first. Everybody was about done eating or washing off the mud from their shoes.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The locals were very eager and pleased to be in the pictures with us.

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Lunch was awaiting us when we came back down from the hill. It consisted of a sandwich, an orange, bananas, langsat, and a delicious mangosteen juice!

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Our friend followed us from Orlando, and stayed here it seems (haven't seen him again, after the trip! :) )

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The guides were helping us with pictures and what not.

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Langsat tree. The fruit is a little better tasting (and rarer) than Longan.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The big group picture!

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Anders. Lontar leaf homemade cigarette?

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Pic with locals next to front neighbor's spirit house.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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A spirit house or san phra phum (ศาลพระภูมิ) is a shrine to the protective spirit of a place that are found in the Southeast Asian countries of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Most houses and businesses have one placed in an auspicious spot, most often in a corner of the property. Spirit worship in Thailand goes back to the ancient days when the Tai's were beginning their slow migration from the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam to all parts of the Southeast Asian region. It was a religion by which the entire world lived at one time, and when Buddhism came to SE Asia, it developed side by side with the ancient spirit religion. The houses are finished with statues, small figures, or symbols of many other sorts in the center within the spirit house. In addition, there may be various animal figures, figures of people, and furniture. Around the balcony surrounding the spirit house, incense holders, candle sticks, and vases for flowers are placed.

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Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Dear Frank, are you going to post something similar for the Nong Nooch part of the biennial ?

Happy Gardening

Cheers,

Wal

Queensland, Australia.

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Dear Frank, are you going to post something similar for the Nong Nooch part of the biennial ?

I have been wondering exactly the same!

What an amazing thread!

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