Friday 1 December 2017

Buluang Na Khra Resort........Google Map Buluang Na Khra Resort is located 2kms east of the town opposite the police station. Obviously arriving here last night all we could judge was the accommodation itself and first impressions were disappointing. The chalet type bungalows are tired with poor decor. The floors are imitation wooden boards and the walls similar but in a hideous pink. For the size of the room the furnishing is sparse and what you might expect in a classroom or office 50 years ago. There is a TV and fridge showing some age. The bathroom is similarly old style but at least has a Western style toilet and electric shower. On the plus side the room has at least been rewired and has a modern air conditioning system that we don’t need to use in cooler conditions.
With this said you might expect us to reject the room but we can’t. For a start Katoon’s brother has booked it and paid in advance. Secondly there’s nothing else in this small town where we need to be at the moment. The lack of accommodation is a little surprising. Without the facilities visitors won’t come but there is one resource Pak Chom has that competes with any in the area and makes the stay here quite tolerable. That’s the mighty Mekong River just outside the door. With such a full day yesterday I need this to be a rest period for the morning at least. By lunchtime most of my blog is finished and attention turns to a trip planned for the afternoon.

Wild Boar........For lunch we head into town where Katoon’s brother has business premises and accommodation. Food is ordered and we sit at a table in the warehouse; not the most exotic location. Included on the menu is deep fried chicken KFC style, a fish curry (I understand this is bpla beuk, a Mekong River species) and a wild boar curry. To sell wild boar produce is illegal in Thailand. You just can’t pick it up in the market. I assume the chef obtained his meat from over the river in Laos.

Happy Birthday........In all the excitement of this major tour an important date has crept up on me. Today is Katoon’s birthday and something special is called for, but what? This is not exactly the place for elaborate celebration but Katoon’s brother seems to have it covered. Over lunch a trip is arranged. I believe it is to a viewpoint. In mid afternoon we set off along the highway heading east along the river but I’m still not aware of the destination. After some 40 kilometres it becomes clear that this is not going to be a short trip. When we reach the provincial border with Nong Khai, I just know where we’re headed.
Wat Pha Tak Suea........Google Map Following provincial road 211 we’re treated to glorious views of the Mekong almost uninterrupted. As we stop for coffee looking across the Mekong, I know that Katoon wishes to visit a famous temple and landmark, Wat Pha Tak Suea. As we reach the village of Sangkhom we’ve already covered some 80 kilometres and there on a hilltop above is the temple. The temple has a rather curious name as it translates as ‘the temple with a cliff for hanging washing’. I should imagine washing would dry very easily there. Just a little further on there is a road to the summit. From the car park there are already good views but as we head up a staircase to the mondrop, over to the right we can see stunning views back across the Mekong. To the left a new structure is being build, a four tiered Chedi to house Buddha relics. From an artist’s impression this is set to be an outstanding piece of religious design and architecture. At the mondrop Katoon is eager to make merit (almsgiving) as she does normally on her birthday but a monk is unavailable but she still manages to receive a blessing. Clearly arriving here today is important but would have repercussions for the rest of the tour......more.

Skywalk........Attention now turns to the magnificent view of the Mekong. I’m perfectly aware of fundraising for various projects for construction or renovation of temple buildings; the new chedi being a example but something a bit special has been built here. At least the merit making here has given the people something back in return. To enhance the glorious views, a skywalk has been built to hold 20 people. Extending out of the cliff face and with a glass floor, the skywalk is a popular attraction. It attracts more people for merit making to fund new projects and so it explains why there are so many fine temples in Thailand. While I’ve questioned in the past such extravagance when there are other pressing needs, I guess today Katoon seems happy and that should be all that matters!

Phu Huai Esan........Google Map I guess by now with phu this and phu that, it should be obvious that ‘phu’ in this region means mountain. Returning back along the 211 the light is already beginning to fade but I’m told we’re heading for a viewpoint: Really? Katoon’s brother with his 4 X 4 turns left onto a dirt track and begins an arduous climb over rocky ground towards the summit of Phu Huai Esan. Reaching the viewpoint we’re now in twilight but there is an area where food vendors come in the day but with hardly enough room to turn a vehicle around. While I trust the driver knows his vehicle, one wheel wrong could mean disaster. The effort though is certainly worth it. The Mekong River is so wide in places, islands known as dons have formed and here looking back downriver there are so many of them, it’s like paint splattered on a wall. We do manage to take some photos but in rapidly fading light the results are not brilliant. It’s time to head back to Pak Chom still 40 kilometres away. Back at the warehouse food is again brought in more of a Western style washed down with plenty of beer. When we return to the resort, it’s nearly 10pm so no chance really of working on my blog. Instead I pick up the live text for the World Cup draw: Not that bad really......more.