Mango!!!

Truly one of the greatest treasures and delights of being in Thailand is the sweet, soft, delicate, perfect mango. Surprisingly (and sadly) mango was not served at any of our meals the first week I was here. I could not resist asking the kitchen staff WHY?????  Okay, I didn't actually say it like that, but perhaps the desperation showed in my face?
I learned that the staff try to use as much produce that they grow onsite both for cost and quality (no chemicals) reasons. Makes great sense and demonstrates good stewardship, but....mango? It turns out that the mangoes were just about ready to pick, and I was invited to come help.  Yes, please!!!

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Mango picking takes some strength, coordination, and skill. But I tried anyway. The tool you use looks a lot like a lacrosse stick on top of a very long and wobbly bamboo pole. Before you can even pick the mango you need to look straight up into the tree to find the green mangoes hidden among the dark green leaves. Can you see them in the photo? You then position the mango in the basket of the lacrosse stick and pull sharply so the "teeth" just inside the basket can cut the mango from the tree. I am happy to say I was successful...twice...and then left the rest to the very capable kitchen staff. I am happy to say there was a bountiful harvest and we will soon be eating very delicious mango. First they will sit in a dark place to ripen for several days. (If they ripen on the tree only the birds will be eating mango.) 

Our haul!

Note the basket