Email # 2.
This adventurous tour originates in Atlanta Feb 22 and some may join us
in Los Angeles. We arrive in Bangkok to stay at the ROYAL ORCHID
SHERATON HOTEL and activities include the Royal Grand Palace, two
orchid nurseries, the Temple Dawn, Damnernsaduak Floating Market,
Nakorn Pathom with the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia, Thai village
show and enjoy the orchids at the Royal Rose Garden. Flight to Ubon
Ratchathani visiting Khong Jiam at the confluence of the Mekong and Mun
rivers, visit Sao Chaliang and Pha Taem Cliff for a view of the Mekong
River and Laos, Wat Supattaram Woraviharn (the architecture of the main
temple is a mix of Thai, European and Khmer styles), Wat Thung Si Muang
constructed in the reign of King Rama III (1824-51), visit Ubol
National Museum (formerly the palace of King Ram VI) with a stop at
Chong Mek on the border to Laos, an evening to enjoy a selection of
northern Thai cultural performances and fine cuisine. Next a full day
tour visiting an elephant camp to see elephants at work, ride an
elephant into the forest crossing the river, enjoy and oxcart ride and
a bamboo rafting adventure. Travel to Koi Angkhang visiting an orchid
farm enroute, visit the Royal Angkhang Agricultural Station Project set
up in 1969 under the King's auspices. Visit an orchid nursery near
Chiang Mai. Travel to Chiang Mai airport for the flight to Mae Hong
Son. Ride through the jungle on elephants followed by a drive through
the jungle to visit the "Long Neck" Karen Padaung Village. The women
in this village wear numerous brass coils around their necks and legs,
and a boat ride on the Pai River. Flight via Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
Viisit an orchid nursery where you can buy orchid flasks with documents
for legal transport on our flights home. Some orchid travellers will go
on for the 2007 IPA Symposium arriving back in US on March 15th. Others
may have opted to return to the US arriving in Atlanta on the March
10th. There are 15 spaces available for "orchid travellers".
If you'd like to join us please send an email.
Lee Bredeson