CONCLUDED - II 22nd Incentive Travel & Conferences Meetings-Asia (IT&CMA)/ 17th Corporate Travel World (CTW) Asia-Pacific. Excursion Trip from BANGKOK: SAMPRAN RIVERSIDE VILLAGE RESORT, ORGANIC FARM & SPA - An ultimate Insight into Thailands Culture and traditions. Recipient of the Award of Excellence (Best Tourist Attraction, Recreational – 1066 and 2008) by Tourism Authority of Thailand; the very name of the Resort: Sampran is an account of a significant ritual in buddhism. The two word: Sam – Pran; Sam meaning three and Pran means hunter. The legend has it that the three hunters were rewarded by the Governor of the region for the capture of a wild elephant that went berserk causing a thrat to the village and people. In a ritual buddhist ceremony, when young men ordain as a monk for three months, the ordained is lead by the three hunters (Sam-pran). On weekends, visitors are introduced to a typical floating market, and a little farther away in the Resorts ground, a traditional market offers a traditional look at village shopping.. The farmers rise early in the day at sunrise and lend their crop until dusk. The local market is also set up at the dawning of the day and vendors line up their stalls selling fresh produce and handmade crafts. A walk through the market offers a typical experience of Thai original culture and a lifestyle in tact, even today found in the rural Thailand. Cultural performances at Sampran Riverside Auditorium is Thailand’s longest running show. With over 16000 consecutive performances for the past 4 decades, the show is performed by over 60 talented artists, dancers, musicians, sportsmen. An exhibit of traditional Thia culture and dresses, the perormers display dance from the four regions of the country (North, North-east, Central and the South), including the unique bamboo dance that originated in the North-east of Thailand. The Thavaravadhi and Mon dances have been performed at temple festivals since more than 1000 years, when Nakhon Pathom was the capital of the Thavaravadhi kingdom, when through the length and breadth of Thailand - then called Siam, Buddhism spread from Nakhon Pathom and todate, the religious structure is the world’s tallest Phra Pathom Chedi. At the show, the drum beats resonate the energetic spirit of victory from the north, north-east and central to the south of Thailand. Drumming performances form an integral part of the show. The show also demonstrats the Thai traditional martial arts including Muay Thai, pole and arm guards and sword fighting. On the romatic part of the show, Thai wedding ceremony comes on stage. Traditionally, a Thai wedding has its rituals begin at day break in the bride’s house. The procession bears gifts (dowry) traditionally gold and the bridegroom - to gain access into the bride’s house must make a passage through the Gates of Chains set up by the brides relatives. At a success attempt, his relatives negotiate a dowry with the parents of the bride. Though the ceremony is simple, a holy thread is placed on the head of the couple, connecting them together. Relatives and friends bless their oneness by pouring holy water over their hands. The Flag Dance concludes the show in a spirit of unity with the world. The grounds of Sampran Riverside Resort also serve as an institute. Here, groups of visiting school children take first hand training in the cultural aspects of the country, including folk mjusic and instruments, pottery, basket weaving, fruit and vegetable carving and classical dance. Elephant show is the highlight at the Resort and visitors seem more than contended riding these Asian Giants. The Resort caters three dining venues: The authentic Inn Chan Thai Restaurant, which is named after the famous Thai Siamese Twins, Inn and Chan, born in 1811 in Samut Songkran, about 40 kms from Sampran Riverside Resort (formerly Rose Garden Resort) on the banks of Ta Chine River; Captain Coffin smuggled the twins to the USA and became a millionaire by displaying the Siamese Twins. Later Inn and Chan formed their own exhibitions and found a fortune. Inn married Sarah and Chan married Sarah’s sister Adelaide. Both did not approve of separation of their body and died at 63 years both fathering 22 children. Signature dish at Inn Chan is the nations favorite: Phad Thai fried noodles with shrimps. Also on the menu, some of the dishes unique at the restaurant are the Rose tempura and Organic flowers and home grown vegetabless with shrimps, wrapped in rice noodle and served with chilli sauce. Another not to miss platter is Chicken in Pandan leaves served with Turkey sauce (a blend of Japanese soy sauce, sesame seed, ginger). All time favorite Papaya salad id followed by Thai dessert and mocca cake. Rim Nam restaurant is the All Day dining venue with its popular Spicy Thai glass noodles, Jungle curry with chicken and in dessert - cool coconut icecream with Thai dessert condimum. Vanda Restaurant with a pleasant view of the Lake serve Buffet Thai and continental cuisines during lunch time and also caters for large conference groups of about 350 people.. Most produce comes from the Resort’s Organic fruit and vegetable Farm across the River and the visit to the farm offers an insight into what Organic Farming is all about, preparing and use of Bio immune fertilizer (produced by coal burning and collecting liquid through steam process) and methods of natural use of pesticde for authentic organic farming. Demonstration of rice farming is followed with a visit at Farmers House with refreshments, serving coconut drink, mulberry and organic guava taken off fresh from the tree. Arusaya – the Wellness Experience: The Manager khun Kamolcha Nok introduce to me the Menu with a variety of Spa programs. Facial balancing open pores. The beautician apply high quality products and the skin is tuned to restore PH balance. Balancing mask, Facial detoxifying (mask) and facial herbal is used for soothing the skin. The Spa use top quality European brands for facial. Guests on arrival are served with pandan herbal drink that has a cooling and soothing effect to the heart. The signature Rose Garden Revival (80 min) is an indulgement into traditional Thai massage combined with Aroma Therapy using Sampran herbal oil product (Bullitt Wood oil). After the therapy, hot ginger tea is served. The menu also comprise: - Arusaya Sport massage: stretching, kneading applying strong pressure. - Arusaya Royal Retreat (110 Min) is a Thai massage but only apply pressure to vital point (and not applying stretching and kneading). - Thai Herbal Body Nourish apply exfoliation smoothen dry tissues. Each massage can be added with Thai compress massage using a steaming herbal “pakrob” for relaxation of muscle. sampranriverside All Photos: (cr) Saifuddin Ismailji (e-Travelers Club travel update)
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 21:37:23 +0000
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