| Baan Klang Tung Organic Home: Rural Splendor in a Restful Setting | |||
| UPDATE : 8 June 2010 | |||
During my recent stay at Baan Klang Tung Organic Home, I felt just like a country girl, living in a tranquil, natural environment featuring lots of trees and rice fields. A couple of elderly folk kindly took great care of me during my stay, while my companions were a lovely dog and lots of singing birds! Rural Restfulness Located in the western province of Kanchanaburi, Baan Klang Tung Organic Home operates as a homestay. Klang tung actually means “in the middle of rice fields”, providing a good indication of the setting and overall ambiance. Unfortunately, this year the local farmers have been prevented from growing rice due to drought-like conditions in the area. Instead of healthy green rice paddies, you'll only find dry hay on the ground at present. Although such conditions are clearly challenging for farmers, it doesn't affect a guest's overall experience. A Warm Welcome Luckily, I enjoyed a hearty welcome on arrival from 'Auntie Ad' (Thippawan Prasertkul). Auntie Ad greeted me with a portion of foi thong (a traditional form of Thai dessert) and a chilled glass of nam dok anchan, a juice prepared using the leaves from a plant known in Thai as dok anchan (Butterfly pea). While I realized the flowers were edible, I didn't know that they could be such a flavorful ingredient. Auntie Ad then showed me around her home and introduced me to Pung Pond – a friendly dog that also proved to be a great host. He took great care of me during my stay by following me just about everywhere. Baan Klang Tung Organic Home includes three separate buildings. The main house, which has two floors, is occupied by Auntie Ad and her husband Sakorn. It has a pretty dramatic appearance, largely due to its rows of awning-style windows. The couple has converted the balcony at the front of their home into a mini diner.
The other two houses are specifically for guests. One is a traditional Thai house, while the other could perhaps best be described as Western 'country style'. The traditional house can easily accommodate up to five guests and its raised floor makes for a useful space for group activities. The other house has three rooms, all decorated in reddish hues that give them a romantic feel. All three guest rooms share a common balcony that includes areas where guests can sit down and relax, while each guest room has its own en-suite bathroom. During my recent visit, I stayed in the Honey Room, which is the smallest of the three. Although the Honey Room is fairly limited in terms of space, it caught my attention due to the pleasant chair and bench located just outside, as well as its wonderful outdoor bathroom area. Since Auntie Ad's neighbor is a talented artist, several of her paintings, including compositions featuring various forms of flora, are hung on the bathroom's walls, creating a pleasant ambiance. Room With a View In addition to the splendid décor, the outdoor bathroom is also interesting since it has an open stretch that provides guests with a dramatic view of the surrounding area. If you get the chance to stay here, get up early so you can watch the birds and listen to them sing as you start the day with a refreshing shower. Unlike the Honey Room, the Ozone Room is fairly Spartan in terms of design. Nevertheless, it's a great place to stay for folks who like to be close to nature as its large windows offer a great view of the rice paddies located at the rear of the building. The Japanese Room – which is also the largest – is located between the Honey Room and the Ozone Room. In terms of the décor, this room boasts the most Asian features, including a futon with a Thai mattress lying right next to it. There is also some storage available in the form of a stylish, rattan-based bedside table. Go Wild in The Country While the rooms at Baan Klang Tung Organic Home are extremely comfy, there are still plenty of outdoor activities you can get involved in during a stay. For example, the homestay has plenty of bicycles, so it's possible to cycle around the nearby countryside, or even head for the main village about two kilometers away. The community has generated a good deal of renown for its woven cloth, which can easily be tailored into a shirt or fashionable scarf.
The detergent used to wash dishes at the homestay is produced using so-called effective microorganisms (EMS), while all the natural waste (uneaten food) generated by inhabitants is used to make compost, providing the homestay with some excellent green credentials. For further information, or to make a reservation, call Baan Klang Tung Organic Home on Tel: +66 (0)89 919 9093. Transport Connections: Car: Take Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road) to Nakhon Pathom province. Continue along the same road until you reach Kanchanaburi province's Tha Muang district, where you should switch to Highway 323. Take a right-hand turn at the intersection located by Kanchanaburi's bus terminal, which will take you on to Highway 324. Continue along here for about 8 km and you will reach a sign for the homestay. Take the next left turn and continue along this thoroughfare for about 700 meters. You will then see the homestay on your left. | |||
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Baan Klang Tung Organic Home: Rural Splendor in a Restful Setting
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