Organic Farming and Mall Shopping in Chiang Mai

Todays' ride was for 21 miles north of Chiang Mai. The weather is perfect for bicycle riding.

We passed some rice fields being harvested and a village where for one day they released water from the dam on the river so everyone was out fishing. A few people in our group gave it a try - no luck.

We also visited an organic farm. This type of farming has really caught on in Thailand because the farmer doesn't have to become indebted to a lender in order to work his farm. No property tax either. One of our guides saw a roadside stall selling sun hats. He bought one for everyone in our group. We looked like a bunch of Hispanic-Thai farm workers.

In the afternoon, we stopped at a textile gallery where we learned how to make tie dyed fabric. Everyone gave it a go with their own piece of cotton fabric. We got some pretty ugly indigo colored tie dyed objects. Afterwards, we went mall shopping for Caren so she could get some clean underwear, sandals, slacks, and tops. Her luggage is still missing and it is causing an international incident. We blew through the Thai equivalent of Macy's and a bunch of small shops before she came out with a couple of new wardrobes.