The Chiang Rai Flower Festival has been held annually since the early 2000s. It was created to promote local agriculture, and of course, encourage tourism.
It is more than simply looking at flowers placed in fancy ways around a park. They have seminars, workshops, music, and a food market.
The festival runs from the end of December until the middle of February each year, and this year was held at the Chiang Rai River Beach Park on the bank of the Kok River.
But first… Lunch
Next to the flower displays, there was an open food market featuring food from northern Thailand.
When in Thai, and when with these tour guides, you eat local if you want McDonalds or not.
So, I dove into the experience.
Our main purpose of being here was to have lunch, so where we did wander the displays, we did not participate in the boat rides or other cultural experiences happening in the area. It helped there was not much happening when we were there, but I mention it only to point out how extensive this festival, and I learned other similar festivals happening throughout the north at the same time, are.
Anyway, back to lunch. And bugs.
I ordered something that appeared normal, but I also took in the spirit and took a deep dive into local foods.
In the form of Bamboo Worms and Silk worms.
Well, I tried it. I also tried that leaf thing which I think was bamboo flower or something. I can’t remember, but it was not prepared well according to my companions.
The bamboo worms apparently had been sitting for a while and it was obvious in the flavors. They are much better fresh. Fresh gives a better crunch.
The silk worms were also not up to par, and others at the table had very strong opinions about favoring the bamboo over the silk because of texture and other tactile considerations.
I am told, if prepared properly, they should have a Cheatos experience on the tongue.
These did not.
I will not entertain you with the tactile experience because I sense many might be hurling already. I did not, by the way. Hurl, that is.
But I did try them. I am not… opposed to having the experience again, perhaps in a fresher setting, but I would probably only partake for survival or shock value.
That means I did not love the experience, but would not rule it out if life were on the line. Or I could taunt the children into gagging. You know. The mom thing.
Apparently cricket, grasshopper and scorpion may be on my plate at future meals, so that will be fun.
