Friday 24 November

Hueanmaisak Resort........Google Map There is not a great deal I can say about Hueanmaisak Resort. It’s located along an avenue not far from the highway 201 just north of Phu Khiao and near the hospital. It’s of a wooden chalet type with veranda and has all the basic needs, not quite as well decorated as the one at Thep Sathip but I’ve found nothing obvious to fault it especially considering the price.

By 9am I’ve managed to bring my blog up to date and expect a start around 10am after a snack breakfast. There’s one location missed off yesterday’s list still in Chaiyaphum province and we head straight for that, taking the 201 north and turning west onto the 2055. Not far along this road I get a taste of idiotic driving that happens all too frequently here. As the single carriageway splits into two lanes, I instinctively move to the left as my speed is relatively low. Some nutter tries to pass me on the inside. Unbelievable! About 9 kms from the junction with the 201 is a left hand turn to my first site of the day.
Wat Prathat Nong Sam Muen........Google Map Phra That Nong Sam Muen is an essentially complete pagoda with twelve-indented wood corners, around 45 meters high and placed on a square brick base with entrance stairs on four sides. It is named after the swamp on the northwest side of the temple. There is still no clear evidence on when it was constructed; however, the architecture and the art work suggest that this Phra That is a combination of Lanna, Lanchang, and Ayutthaya art style. It is predicted to be constructed in the 17th-18th century during the reign of Phra Chaiyachetthathirat of Vientiane, Laos.
Having photographed the monument I’m thinking of heading back when I notice a small group of university students conducting a survey. I’m encouraged to participate but my research into this monument will happen later.

With this site covered I’m about to declare my Chaiyaphum leg of this tour closed but then Katoon makes a suggestion which results in it continuing live and kicking. Instead of returning to the 201 we head west toward Nam Nao National Park where we pick up signs to the Chulaphorn Dam.
Chulaphorn Dam........Google Map The Chulaphorn Dam in Khon San district opened in 1972 and diverted the Phrom River, a tributary of the Mekong. It is an earth and rock dam 700 metres in length and an impressive 70 metres high. Unlike the Pa Sak Jolosid River Dam this dam receives little attention so far from Bangkok but looks more impressive. Within its grounds is a good selection of accommodation and parkland, ideal for peace and tranquillity often so hard to find in Thailand. It’s time to head back and pick up the 2055 again but this time continuing north where it connects with highway 12. This highway takes us finally out of Chaiyaphum province bringing this 3 day stay to an end......more.

Now in Khon Kaen province we head east and stop for lunch not far from Chum Phae. From here we pick up the 201 again heading northwest. This means we’ll just be passing though the northwest corner of Khon Kaen province. By 3.30pm we’re in Loei province passing the Owl Mountain rising up majestically on our left. I can finally now close this chapter of the tour I’ve designated 17G.

Changwat Loei........Our arrival in Loei province sets the tone for the days to come as apart from excursions to adjacent provinces Loei will be the focal point for the time being and a chance to slow things down to a gentler pace. Loei has featured before on this site but only briefly in 2011 and 2014. Quite why this province hasn’t featured so prominently is surprising given that this is the province Katoon was born in. In fact she had visited he home town only once with me. This tour will go a long way to restoring a balance and the implications are that for some while I won’t need to set an agenda. For once I’ll be happy to go with the flow and that process starts almost immediately as Katoon takes a left turn heading for Phu Kradung National Park.

Phu Kradung National Park........Google Map If you know the names of any of Thailand’s national parks, next to Khao Yai, this would be the one. It was one of the first to open and has the distinction of having its profile visible from a huge distance. I fact I could see it clearly from the approach to the Chulaphorn Dam in Chaiyaphum province. It’s the equivalent of Table Top Mountain in Cape Town. The mountain rises up steeply on all sides reaching a broad plateau around 1,200 metres high. With no modest gradient to use there is no option other than to reach the summit on foot, a climb of some six hours.......more.
At the entrance to the park there is the usual entry fee, 400 baht for foreigners. This late in the day nobody would be allowed to climb Phu Kradung so Katoon negotiates a modest 30 baht to reach the visitor centre. It’s sufficient for me to be able to gather information. The information includes advice on climbing the mountain and the rigidly enforced cut off times. For example access is closed just after lunch and that would be for those planning to stay the night at the top. Another restriction applies to me personally. I would never be allowed to climb Phu Kradung without a medical certificate. Blahhhh!! Wandering around the trail entry point we meet those coming down. These include luggage carriers with huge bamboo poles, Thai sherpas, a tough breed. As we wander back to the car I can only reflect that at least I’ve entered the park but missed one of Thailand’s most significant natural and geological treasures.
Panida Goodwill Resort........Google Map Now well after 4pm I wonder what else Katoon has lined up but my appeals to her to call it a day are thankfully granted. Last night probably at the steak restaurant I was bitten all over and I need some treatment. The next attraction requires the best part of an hour so we decide to rest up in the area and take that in in the morning. Reaching Nong Hin we find a good selection of accommodation. We’re quite happy at the first stop, Panida Goodwill Resort, a small cluster of bungalows in a pleasing setting; the owners clearly trying to create a good impression. Inside the rooms, there is similarly the attention to detail which takes them to a greater level of convenience. At 650 baht it’s a fair price. We’ve managed as last to arrive at a stopover by 5am and despite there being a restaurant and cafe on site, waste no time in popping into the town for an early dinner. Returning to the room I can get some treatment for the now substantial red sores on my leg and manage to sleep till 8am. My blog is only partially complete again as I turn in but then there are only three sites I need to review today. Next Page