Meet “Three Musketeers” : onion, chili, basil
Few weeks ago, my friend invited us to”Farm-to-table Thai cooking” from Airbnb experience which I had no idea of and something that I heard for the first time. Yeah I know it’s a cooking class. Yeah I know a farm. But… how could both be arranged together? Farm and table? And isn’t Airbnb a marketplace for bed and breakfast stay only?
I didn’t really think of this until a day before when my friend came back and briefed us to wear sandals, short, and brought a change clothes. “Just in case we went dirty,” she said. That started to ring a bell to me that we will go dirty and really going to the farm. Like a real farm! (And what is the Airbnb part? You’ll find out at the end of this looong post haha). As the result, last Saturday was super FUN!
So the day came. Me and my 4 other friends met up in a McD. Then we left to Klong Ladmayom floating market. Many local foods are sold in this location, just like the other market that spread in the entire Bangkok. Of course, I spotted many tourists as well.
Not long after that, Bow and C, host for this Farm-to-table session, arrived. Both are so kind. Not only they brought us the cold water for each, Bow brought us a pastel for a breakfast as well! (It was a delish one anyway). Few minutes later, we took a boat and sailed through the river. Along the way, Bow shared us the story of how river was the main transportation channel for Thailand area back then. But of course, with the raising economy where lands are used for living and the property business, river is no longer an option for people in the city to travel. However, Lat Ta Niao river (hopefully I didn’t mention a wrong river name) is one of the most well protected rivers in the country. Mostly villagers don’t even have a land route connected but only a river. So authentic.
Our end of this trip was the farm. Due to the huge rain on the night before, the mud was all over the form. Our flips were 0.5 kgs heavier in 30 minutes because of the mud. But it was (again) so much fun! The banana trees remind me of my hometown. The river reminds me of the house I left in when I was a kid which was also next to the river where I loved trapping a small fish with a bottle. The chili remind me of the chili my dad planted in my home.
After finished the farm experience, we drove to Bow and C’s house for the cooking part. Everything was so well set and prepared by them. The electrical stove, the cooking materials, the kitchen utensils and everything. And everything looked so pretty and neat. We even welcomed with a fried pork and sticky rice which are also tasty (everything here with pork is so delicious).
The real cooking experience started at around 1 pm. After sharing the story behind each meal we were going to cook, we then moved to the opened kitchen. We started with chicken green curry, chicken pandan, and ended the class with a papaya salad. And you know what, everyone cooked! Did you think we know how to cook or cook a lot before? Nope! But when everything’s set and when the material is prepared, cooking become something SO fun.
About 4 hours later (yes it took 4 hours to prepare 4 meals, so don’t get crazy waiting for your order in a restaurant that arrives 10 minutes longer than it’s promised), our dinner was ready! Yeah, it was the dinner that each of us prepared.
We closed the dinner with beer and that most favorite food, Mango sticky rice (who doesn’t love them?). What a happy tummy that night!
I was so happy myself not only because the meals were good. BUT more of it was the meals I cooked myself! For me, it was that experience which was really what makes the day exciting!
Now, how will I recommend you to take this experience? It’s 5 out of 5! I’ve been visiting night markets, bars, hype places, traditional markets, and thus far, this was the best experience I have after few weeks in Bangkok.
If you happen to visit Bangkok on the weekend and look for a new and local thing to explore in the city, try this one out. I’m sure you will love it. The class is only for 5 to 6 people so you will be so engaged with the whole experience intensively.
If you want to know more of this farm-to-table cooking experience, just check out what Bow and C are doing here.
Airbnb – Farm to table Thai cooking experience
According to my friend, this Airbnb Experience is one new products Airbnb (beside the bed and breakfast marketplace) that is launched in their operating countries. Tons of fun local and fun activities are offered under this experience. And, only a curated experience that could be hosted under Airbnb. So, if you’re visiting somewhere new some time, this type of experiences should definitely be on your list.
(Some others fun documentation!)
