Activities in the garden

It is always interesting to observe activities in the garden. And by that I mean activities that show industrious insects. In a tree with beautiful red flowers of which I don't know the Dutch name, it attracts a lot of insects.

It is wise to keep some distance from this tree, so that the bees and wasps do not feel attacked and do not defend themselves with stings. These animals can build large nests, sometimes bigger than a football. In the Isaan someone tried to remove such a nest because it would also contain food. Unfortunately, that person died due to the large amount of stings and possibly allergic to it.

In another part of the garden I found the beginning of a possible nest. This one came from a hornet (แตน). These insects are smaller but react much more aggressively to someone if you get too close. Although not animal-friendly and sympathetic, I ended this "family building" after an earlier encounter with these insects.

The Thai told me that worms develop in these cells, which can be eaten. I was just as surprised to hear that ants “eggs” were also eaten and these animals had to be left alone. In the Netherlands you do encounter the concept of ant eggs, but ant eggs were new to me.

But there are more things that stand out. Bell-shaped flowers that fall from the trees are collected and made into soup. I understood the name “Tonkilek”. Other people pick something from bushes, trees, etc. along the way to process it in food. Whether that is a necessity or an old habit we will leave in the middle. Most people don't have it in Thailand despite promised wage increases or benefits!