Maygan
writes:
The first thing we did today in Xishuangbanna was go to the Botanical
Garden. I have been excited about it for a few days. It was beautiful,
just like I knew it would be. I loved all the brightly colored
flowers on the winding paths, especially the lilies. We stayed
there for a few hours, then returned to the bus and headed toward
our next stop, a Dai minority village.
When
we first arrived we wove in and out of booths, all selling
the same items as the one before it. A short while after
we arrived, we were invited into a Dai woman’s home. She was so welcoming and
kind. We all sat and drank tea with her then we were off to a reenactment
of the Water Festival. The Water Festival was the best part of
my day. First of all, we were all so hot from walking around the
village. Secondly, the people splashing water all around the pool
looked like they were having so much fun. I think some of the chaperones
were a little hesitant to let us join at first, but eventually
we were allowed to join on the festivities. Basically the festival
was a giant water fight where we threw buckets of water at each
other.
After
the festival, we all went to a small shop and bought these
ridiculous brightly colored matching shirts. I must say the
bus ride back was a little uncomfortable since we were all still
wet, but it was worth it.
We also saw some older rubber trees, 10 years plus, that had
been sliced and were producing rubber.
Maygan takes a photo of the beautiful tropical flora.
A fresh coconut juice break.
This tree in called Antiaris Tosicaria, the sap was used as a
deadly poison on arrow tips.
We were invited into a Bai Home for tea; the living quarters
are on the second floor.
"Purchase of the Day", bright shirts!
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Maygan,
Writer of the Day
Maygan in the Botanical Gardens, The
frangipani flowers were incredibly fragrant.
Our first day in Xishangbanna we went to the Botanical
Gardens. On the way there we saw whole hillsides planted with
young rubber trees.
AACE poses at one of the scenic spots at the Xishaungbanna Botanical
Garden.
Our guides Leo
(Li Pong, who is traveling with us from Kunming) and
Tony, our local guide, explain some of the plants.
Mr Blomgren
sings to the “Dancing” Plant. It moves
to the sounds of singing.
We visited a Bai village, the villagers are Buddhist. This is
the group at the temple in the village.
The students
ALL really got into the traditional New Year Water Splashing
Festival. It is one way the Bai people bless each other.
A great
way to cool off on a hot day!
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