And the Chiang Mai escapade continues...

~ DAY 3 ~ January 5th, 2025

> GINGER FARM kitchen at ONENIMMAN Chiangmai

It took me a moment before realising that the ginger farm Ninang was mentioning was not in fact all about ginger. At a glance, if you see the words "ginger farm" at a location, your initial thought process would have been ginger farm = a farm that's thriving with ginger plants. But that wasn't the case. We stepped into the entrance, and by doing so, that also meant stepping into a restaurant. It was an open space area, spaced out with woven chairs and wooden tables, which held the ONE NIMMAN restaurant. This ginger farm is not just ginger. There's a restaurant and even animals! I phrased these words in irritation, almost as if I was angry to myself. What was I thinking... thinking it was just a ginger farm...

"Ah- Hallo! Have you guys... made a reservation for today?" A lady with a heavily-thick Thai accent gestured over to us, her grin soft and gentle. I stared at Ninang, Mum, and then at Mamu, and there's this one similarity in our expressions. Confusion. I whispered softly to Ninang, since no one other than her should take the blame. I mean, she planned this thing after all. "Ninang, did you have to book a reservation to enter this farm?" I asked her because if she did to start with, the outcome after the lady kindly asked the question would've been pulling out her phone and showing details, but instead, she looks puzzled and concerned. Not exactly a comforting outcome, to be honest. "Oh- um, what reservation?"

Oops, Mum is gonna have a word with her hehe-

She scanned our faces, clearly befuddled, then began to browse through a pile of papers from a stand. She then pulled out a laminated A4 flyer of information Ninang definitely didn't know before. The flyer explains about different packages to choose from, and I'm at a loss of words for a second, but then my eyes go over the words "please book a reservation to place your spot". The packages are basically farming activities hosted by the farmers that run Ginger Farm. They have full day options, and even a full consecutive three day program of hard work and dealing with soil. "Oh... no we didn't book this. We're just here to see the farm." With some careful consideration - and explaining -, the lady ushered us in.

All 4 of us took a single step, and presumably, from the nearby chicken coop, a rancid stench wavered thick in the air. Mamu and I flapped our hands obnoxiously in disgust. "Ugh, what is that??" And as shocking as it seems, as soon as we got closer to the chickens, the stench worsened. "Yup, definitely from there."

Every single nook and cranny of this place was bursting with green. Vines had naturally been woven into trees, and flowers had began its bloom. Normally, people tend to admire flowers that have striking colours or interesting features. But as for me, I simply just like plain white flowers, such as dandelions or daisies. There's something about it that just randomly eases my mind, and when I have moments to spare, my mind just wanders off too find that reason behind it. Maybe a childhood memory just clicks into place when I see white flowers or something that reminds me of the past.

My feelings had been telling me that there was something oddly comforting about this place. Perhaps it was the earthy scent with incorporated morning dew, or the structures that stood on this farm. But just like Royal Park Rajapruek, I felt relaxed. Like I could just breathe for once.

We stumbled upon a not so sturdy constructed hut before ending our time in the farm. Ninang crouched down as she entered, uncertain whether the floorboards would break through and the ground would suck her whole, so we snapped a quick photo, trying to avert that situation.

To end our time here, we ate at the ONE NIMMAN restaurant and tried Chiang Mai's signature delicacy; Khao Soi

Tom yum soup (my absolute fav. :3)

> Central Chiang Mai Airport
In New Zealand, there wasn't so much of a shopping mall to shop your heart out and eventually reach bankruptcy into. When Mum and Ninang had planned out the Asia trip, they'd always remarked about how they would take this opportunity and use this time in Thailand to shop for practically anything they could find really at a mall. And I was stoked too. A city person like I am would've miss the thrill of what shopping malls brings you, right?

And I didn't realised how serious Mum and Ninang would take this opportunity, because we were going mall-hopping! XD

We ordered Hainanese Chicken Rice to satisfy Mum and Ninang's cravings!

> MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Centre

Ate ramen for lunch at Yayoi ~

> Central Festival Chiang Mai

When Mamu asked me what I wanted to eat, I tried my very best to explain my feelings. "Uh... I want to eat something but I'm not hungry?? You know what I mean?" At the end of the day, we all mutually felt the same, so my mindset was set on a goal; we had to try something so culturally known in Thailand that you wouldn't find a dish like this in New Zealand. And it also wasn't much of a struggle to find something that suited my criteria. Different stalls at the food area displayed noodle dishes to soup based dishes such as a different version of tom yum noodles.

We eventually settled for icy bowls of Nam Kang Sai, which is basically shaved ice with some goodies!! It's sort of a Thai version of an Ice Kachang.