A T N A ASA L
a t n a L Koh T
hese days we are constantly being reminded that our planet is under threat. Life as we know it is changing; the way we think and act is not just impacting our lives, but those close to us and future generations. Gone are the days of throwing away rubbish and food waste - now we feel guilty for not rinsing out a can to recycle.
asked to throw sawdust down the pit after. The bottom layer is cleared out every year producing compost for the farm. Next to the toilet is where wastewater assembles, planted around this are banana trees. The banana roots soak up the water similar to a natural filter system, as the fruit stays unaffected. The small duck population also seem very happy mucking in too.
Here in Thailand recycling is slowly catching on. Plastic bottles are collected and the return of glass bottles is rewarded with a small cash incentive. This is why the ASALANTA project on Koh Lanta is so unique and important. Not only is it an example of how we can make less impact on our immediate surroundings and use our natural resources, but it is also a place to educate others on doing so.
THE FARM WAS STARTED THREE YEARS AGO
The journey to the farm takes you through quiet rubber tree plantations and local households, drawing you away from the tourist hustle and bustle of Lanta. The road is signposted but the way also seems intuitive as you head deeper in to the jungle. (Adding to the wild experience, I was met by two large bulls from another farm, a ‘thrilling’ experience for this city girl, as I took deep, calming breaths.)
The biggest building, and first to greet you, has many functions. Primarily a meeting place to sit and enjoy homemade herbal teas. I was particularly fond of the lemongrass and star fruit, it also holds a small handmade jewellery shop and a kitchen which serves customers and the other valuable residents of ASALANTA, the volunteers. Volunteers come to ASALANTA for varied periods of time. Their dorm rooms are located above the tearoom area. They donate four hours daily and are taught the valuable skills of natural conservation in action and how to live a self-sustaining lifestyle. This seems to be a great way to combine a holiday with community awareness. Volunteers are trained to build earthen bricks; these are composed of mud and fibres, such as grass, bamboo, paper, sawdust or coconut shells. Once built, they are painted with lime-wash, a natural product made from ground limestone. They form beautiful, natural adobe style buildings that compliment the natural surroundings and are durable and strong (the oldest on record from approximately 3,000 years ago)
be replanted and their nutritional content/ value comes into question. ASALANTA reminds visitors of the value of food production, minimising our waste and the satisfaction of growing and nurturing the precious resources we have on earth. We have become so accustomed to supermarket convenience, eating fresh food out of season and meat in neatly vacuumed packed plastic.
Consequently, we no longer really connect with nature and the benefit our bodies gain from eating naturally produced food.
BY ANKE ACCOMPANIED BY HER INFECTIOUS POSITIVITY and Aoi her husband, who previously lived the corporate life in Bangkok. Together they learnt the techniques of building earthen houses in a search for an ecofriendly future. They cultivated their plot of land (which consisted of rice fields) by irrigating the soil to create ponds for fish, and then used the excess soil to form a road. Presently, there is one large house and a building that serves as dorm rooms, with a kitchen, small shop and common area. They are in the process of building two new houses that they hope to rent to other kindred sprits who appreciate and understand the environment and can teach visiting guests a unique skill.
The farm grows many varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Here you can find bananas, bamboo, mulberries, avocados, olives, cashew nuts and limes to name a few. They also have a small nursery for seeds. Anke is passionate about sharing seeds. Unknown to me, companies are manufacturing single fertilised seeds, resulting in a oneoff flowering. This artificial manipulation is frightening, because as a result seeds cannot
Going into high season, ASALANTA are running a series of workshops. They are teaching jungle cookery where customers can fish in the pond and use the resources in the farm to cook delicious Thai-style food. Sharing spiritual awareness, which involves sitting and spending time discussing personal beliefs, ambitions and aspirations, also Stone healing and Jewellery making. Visiting this unique place is a must-do on Lanta: tours are run daily to get a view of the buildings and farm, not forgetting a chance to use the compost loo (a truly unique experience and one I was unusually excited about.) People are also welcome to come and enjoy a cup of tea in the fabulous wild jungle surroundings and shop for some exquisite handmade jewellery or homemade chutneys and jam. There is something very special about life here, a place where people can remove themselves from modern life and the constant influx of external stimuli. The power of a place and its influence can spread, and even teaching a single individual about considerate living is a move in the right direction. Treating our planet with consideration will not only benefit us now, but also our future generations.
A structure in need of mentioning is the compost toilet. The building reminds me of something from a Dr.Seuss book and it really does represent conservation in action. Visitors do their business and are
“SPEND
TERS”
AT MAT H T E M I T E SOM ASALANTA
For more information visit their facebook page www.facebook.com/infoasathai/info
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