Our home for our brief visit in Chiang Mai, Thailand is the lush and serene Siripanna Villa Resort and Spa. It exudes “the essence of charming Lanna aesthetics”, preserving the rich heritage of the northern Thailand people.
I have been to Chiang Mai twice already and I was happy that the places we visited in this beautiful city were all new to me. Staying in a villa that has its own Thai sala and the spacious outdoor terrace was a relaxing getaway for me. There was even a water fountain in my bathroom!
But apart from being an ideal place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life, Siripanna also advocates for the “Smoke-Free Generation” of Green Leaf Foundation.
This is a good place for companies and organizations to bring their members as incentives, or even for meetings to thresh out their creativity, especially with the calming ambiance in Siripanna. They have the facilities to support groups as large as 100 people, or can even host an outdoor event fit for 700 guests.
What’s more, Siripanna is close to the city center, with just being 10 minutes away from the Night Bazaar and the Waroros Market. It is very near the railway station and not too far from Chiang Mai International Airport.
Rice planting
Within Siripanna’s grounds is the traditional Thai Lanna House and Panna Field. We got up early in the morning to take part in a rice planting activity. Although I came from an agricultural country, planting rice in a muddy field was a new experience to me. What I have done before was harvest corn. Soaking my feet in the water-filled paddy and inserting rice sprouts in the mud has some therapeutic impression on me.
But I didn’t stay long enough to feel any backache as a result of bending while planting rice. We had to stop when the sky darkened and it started to drizzle. Still, it was a fun, bonding, and education activity that is suitable for a group.
Alms offering
On our last morning in Siripanna, we woke up earlier than the usual to offer alms to Buddhist monks. There in the Panna Field, the hotel staff prepared the food that we would be offering to the monks. We were briefed on how it was done and which food to put first.
A few minutes after, five monks clad in orange clothing arrived. They carried with them a stainless steel bowl. As they removed the cover they approached us one-by-one and we started with the ceremony. After everyone has offered their alms, the monks then prayed for us through a chant.
Again, this was new to me. The activity was very solemn and it was a good way to do self-reflection. Also, it was a beautiful opportunity to take part in the ways of the local culture.
Panna Spa
We ended our stay with a relaxing massage at the Panna Spa. The place was so quiet and a great venue to meditate. The rooms are private and as they are dimmed, and with a soothing music in the background, I couldn’t help but be lulled into sleep. Refreshed after the massage, I was offered a warm tea and rice crispy that I could dip in honey and sesame seeds.
Siripanna is a place of rejuvenation. It is a comforting home away from home. It is an oasis at the heart of Chiang Mai.
For more info, visit:
http://www.siripanna.com/
http://twitter.com/siripanna
http://www.facebook.com/siripanna
such a fantastic place. thanks for posting nice views.