Monday 27 November 2017

Ban Glai Kong........Google Map Ban Glai Kong is located along one of the side streets leading to the popular ‘walking street’ and close to the river viewpoint at the east end of town. It’s a two story guesthouse with traditional wood panelling and with perfectly adequate facilities including a free bicycle. For exploring Chiang Khan it’s all you need. Importantly there is parking space available beside the guesthouse as narrow streets are a feature of this old town. For me it’s a pleasant change to have everything I need within walking distance. The 700 baht I paid may not be typical as there is some family connection but seems reasonable enough in this popular tourist area.
Just relax........I’m awake quite early assuming it’s going to be a long day. Katoon is similarly bright and early for a change. However over coffee and cake in reception a discussion begins on where exactly we’re off to. We obviously need to plan a circular tour as we’re already staying here another night but the danger is we might be too ambitious and miss out on some important attractions. When I suggest we slow things down and just concentrate on the locality, that suggestion is accepted. There is still plenty of time left on this tour. For once we don’t have to pile things back in the car and can just relax. We start by taking a stroll along walking street.

Wat Sri Khun Muang........Google Map Wat Sri Khun Muang or Wat Yai is located at the west end of walking street and easily reached on foot. It is one of the most important religious sites for local people and dates back to 1656 at a time of Burmese occupation. The style of the viharn (prayer hall) is distinctly Lanna and displays some old mural paintings at the entrance although the interior is plain. The modest size of the hall is contemporary for the time......more.

Pak Nam Hueang........Google Map We decide to turn the wick up just a little and return to the car. The road heading west follows the Mekong River before that river disappears into the interior of Laos. Thereafter the Thai/Laos border follows the Hueang River, a tributary of the Mekong. From the main road 2195 we turn right along a twisting road up to the top of a small hill where a splendid standing Buddha image gazes out across the Mekong to the hills of Laos. For the visitor there are viewing pagodas looking down towards the confluence of the Hueang with the Mekong. At around lunchtime this is a perfect place to rest a while and although there are a number of snack food vendors here, Katoon has brought something up she bought from near the temple in Chiang Khan......YouTube.

Siesta........From Pak Nam Hueang the main road continues towards Tha Li. It’s an interesting location and a border crossing point but it’s not the intention to travel that far and I’ve been there before. It may however figure in one of our longer trips. We decide to head back to Chiang Khan and take a most welcome siesta.
Keang Kut Khu and other business........Google Map At 4pm we venture out again but there’s nothing new to report. We arrive at the Keang Kut Khu viewpoint that featured predominantly in my first trip here in 2011. To recap the name of this location refers to rapids as the Mekong flows over rocks in a wide arc as it flows left. Not too much has changed since I was here before, still the souvenir vendors but I don’t remember having to pay for parking before......more. As the light starts to fade we enjoy further views of the river then Katoon heads for the market. There’s one final chore and that’s to buy something for family. We then head to the residence and collect some clean clothes. By the time we return to Ban Glai Kong its gone 8pm. Katoon doesn’t feel like another wander down walking street but I use what is probably the last opportunity to buy something. It’s been great today; more of a holiday atmosphere, quite relaxing but we won’t be booking a further night in Chiang Khan so we can cast the net further and keep options open.