We weren't planning on hiking through a forest while touring the mountains but sure glad we did! I am used to deciduous forests in Ontario and forested areas of Aspen and Pine in the mountains of Colorado, but the forest we witnessed in the western part of Thailand was unique to me with its unbelievably tall thin palm trees and one of the largest trees in Thailand.
Sure enough, we found the huge hardwood named and advertised as
The Big Tree. Needless to say, it has a dominating presence in the forest. A person could almost hide in the root system and we figure it would take about 8-10 adults holding outstretched hands to measure the diameter at its base.
It came as no surprise that a spirit house was located nearby to appease the spirits residing in the tree with offerings such as grapes, apples, bottled water, candles and flowers. Buddhists often believe trees house
tree spirits that can offer blessings by giving fruit in abundance. In this case, the trees in this forest produce a fruit that is similar to what westerners know as the pomegranate.
Once again for me, God's glory is revealed through the nature He created and controls: so spectacular and diverse, from one part of this planet to another!
