Pahchanhom Garden at Ban Tako Lang is situated 80klm due west from Ratchaburi near the Myanmar border. I/we (Jan) was privileged to be invited to close friends secluded and very private property deep into the mountain area bordering Myanmar. On arrival I was sceptical not knowing what to expect, to my enjoyment I had arrived at the most tranquil place in a mountain jungle, a sanctuary for the stressed. It was late almost nightfall so I/we didn't have time to explore this private estate, but listening to our wonderful hosts (Ong) Nooni & Wisoot Karnchanapunyapong describe how long it took to convert this rare piece of jungle into a haven of over two thousand different tree species, plant's and flower's that I've never seen before....furthermore I/we was also invited the next day to a tour of a very private Art collecting, now I'm getting excited.
Treated to a feast of Thai food that evening just about topped off the day, what great hosts.....and of course the red wine, just a wonderful experience listening to the wild creatures singing to us while just relaxing.
The photo album slide show illustrates not only the beauty of the gardens....but also shows a brief glimpse of the wonderful art in the 3 galleries
Full Screen Album...click this link
Day 2...Morning breakfast spread of thai food, tea and coffee to start the day...just great. Gallery time, a short walk to the gallery where Ong unlocked the doors to what I can describe as walking into a room of shear beauty....the artwork is stunning, the artifacts are something Ive never seen before. As I thanked Ong she said we are not finished yet.
Gallery 2... Just over there....wow what am I experiencing now, now the art work is of gem stones....jade, rubies and possibly diamonds including stones I have no knowledge off. I was mesmerized about what I'm seeing.....absolutely shear beauty....the skill and technique in creating this art is beyond anything that I've seen in my lifetime....not quite there yet,just one more
Gallery 3...Down a small path to a three story house with a gallery at the top, it just get's better....this gallery has a mix of different kinds of styles, classic, contemporary, portrait and much more including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and a Picasso style painting that could undoubtedly be attributed to him. The Store room....paintings that not yet shown where Galley 4 will no doubt be built. The day was topped off with a feast of sea food, traditional classic thai, and mouth watering fruit and cake. Not forgetting the Italian red wine.....Finally the balcony view from around the whole 3rd floor was breathtaking with a backdrop of dense colorful wild natural mountain jungle...an image that's not forgotten.
Day 3... A special guest was invited along to have food with all the guest's in the morning, who I may say was a very intellectual English speaking monk (Phra Ek Chan) I had the opportunity to speak to him personally....who was very kind to offer the answers to my intriguing questions. I was taken back when I asked about his background, University degree in GIS he said.....wow I was a retired GIS Professional back in the UK, now thats what you call a coincidence or was it having your life mapped out for you?. We talked about Buddhism and GIS until he was called to conduct prayers with our fellow Thai guests. We all ended with some wonderful traditional thai food and a lasting audience with him in thai, with some translation in English just for me...thanks Ek Chan.
I came away from the experience with a different mind set to what I went in with, I'm so grateful to our hosts Ong & Wisoot for allowing me the only foreigner to enjoy such great company and relax for 3 days...cant wait to go back.
Thank you so much (Ong) Nooni & Wisoot, Cliff