Mae Fah Luang Flower Nation

Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden is dedicated to the Mother of the King, Her Royal Highness, the Princess Mother, who hoped to provide respite to Thailand's workers who have been overseas as well as to its locals who have never been in foreign soil. It offers a quiet world beyond the touch of the blooming concrete jungle of the country; after all, each and every hard-earning labourer deserves a place of peace, even just for a brief moment.

The flowers in this botanical park changes every season. In your second visit, you'll find your eyes filled with wonder, anew.

The garden is well maintained, it's flowers intricately manicured, by its hired workers who are mostly members of the Akha tribe and other tribes residing in the mountain (see the different hill tribes of Thailand). 

An agreement was met for tribes people (the Akhas) to be relocated in another part of the forest mountain with a paved road going to the village. The park was originally built together with the Doi Tung Villa to discourage opium production in the hills of Chiang Rai and provide an alternative means of living for its people (read more: Doi Tung Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden: The delights of Chiang Rai).

At work.

Even the gardeners are a sight to see.

Trying to buy all these temperate flowers.

Cannot find a place not worth a photo. Also, tip for travellers, best to have one bright item on your OOTD.
A bright scarf gives an effortless glow. ;)

Even as you enter the park, you are greeted by tall trees and  a long and winding wooden bridge. The experience takes you to another world. Located on the top of a mountain forest in front of the Doi Tung Villa, a visit to this place need not be rushed offering several acres of greens with lush flowers, quiet ponds and waterfalls, resident visitors such as squirrels, ducks and swans. 

Water Garden:

A lively pond greets you on you way in.

Absolutely, a delightful spot for a bird's eye view of the place
Photo Courtesy of Joey Dela Paz

I can't take a decent photo of ducks, but thankfully Pastor Joey captured this. Ducks everywhere.

Photo Courtesy of Joey Dela Paz

This atrium is a house to several species of orchids living in the calm offered by a man-made falls and flowing waters.

Maze Garden

Another attraction in the botanical park is the maze garden which provides a vast area of well-manicured hedges and puzzle of greens and flora.

A tourist would find it quite easy to solve the network of paths to get out of Maze Garden, it is made of around five networks. Some of the pieces may be found in the following photos.

Here is a doubly exposed photo, at the foreground you'll find the quote as explained hereunder while the background provides a Yin-Yang made out of pebbles.

"Yin-Yang: the symbol of balance and harmony. Yin-Yang is a concept in Taoist philosophy, representing the balance of nature. It signifies that everything has their pair: for example, the darkness of night and the lint of day, hot and cold, and male and female. If one is missing or there is too much or too little of one thing, it will bring imbalance. Therefore, Yin-Yang represents the truth of nature. Yin is the black part representing dark and negative force and can be found in everything that is cold, dark, soft, wet, mysterious, and changing: for example, shadow and water. Yang is the white part representing light and positive force and can be found in everything that is warm, light, stable, and bright: for example, sun and fire."

"Clover Leaf the symbol of good luck. Normally, clover has 3 leaves but if you find a clover with 4leaves it will bring you good luck since the chance of finding clover with 4 leaves is one in 100,000. The person who finds 4 leaves clover always keeps it to themselves. Additionally, each lea(f) has its own meaning as follows: The 1st leaf signifies hope; the 2nd leaf signifies faith; the 3rd leaf signifies lobe; the 4th leaf signifies luck."

Garden of Continuity 
Among many others, a statue has been placed in the middle of the garden that depicts continuity to let the people know that continuity is essential in the success of any endeavour.

The After Travel Reporter with Tita Narlin of Beyond Borders Ministry
Photo Courtesy of Joey Dela Paz

"Continuity, The state was named 'Continuity' by Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother when it was presented by Thai Airways International. Her Royal Highness believed that continuity is the key success at all endeavor. Today, it symbolises the work ethic of all Doi Tung staff in continuing the effort to help people in Thailand and oversea(s). The sculpture was the rom of the artist Misiem Yipintsoi, a famous Thai sculptor."

Indeed, the Mae Fah Luang Garden offers a tempting refuge for a brief repose and break from the stress and insanity of work.  

Photo Courtesy of Joey Dela Paz

Having fun under the sprinklers. :)))
Photo Courtesy of Joey Dela Paz

One may take a short breather from walking around the garden and enjoy the tranquility of the park, taking a sip of you own macadamia nut caramel frappucino in Cafe Doi Tung.

The Rock Garden:

Isaiah 26:4 (AMP) 4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

Pretty purples.

Hobbit size. Perfect.

For God is my Rock and Fortress, in Him I find peace

Photo Courtesy of Joey Dela Paz