Day 14, Saturday 1 December

Happy Birthday……..Inevitably the pace of this tour falls away as we prepare to celebrate Katoon’s birthday and recover from a very busy schedule on tour. As we have booked in at Samui Place for two nights nothing at all happens before midday but at 1pm Mayye arrives to take us to some of the sites in the province.
Sahatsakhan……..Sahatsakhan is a district in the north of Kalasin Province and is the location of a good number of attractions including the one the province is most famous for. As we approach the district, a series of low hills appears in the distance, a welcome site after the almost featureless terrain of the last week or so. On arrival first things first and that means lunch and I just get the feeling that celebrations have already started as the girls examine the menu but I’m just not that hungry. When the dishes arrive, I just don’t know how they will get through it as I just pick at it. Well, the answer is they don’t and much of it end up in a doggy bag. As least on this occasion, I’m not paying.
Sirindhorn Museum and Phu Kum Khao Dinosaur Excavation Site…….. In 1994 on the slopes of Phu Kum mountain in Sahatsakhan district, the abbot of Wat Sakawan found some dinosaur fossils. During the following year the Department of Mineral Resources researchers excavated the fossils and found that this was the largest herbivorous dinosaur site in Thailand; most of the fossils belonging to sauropods dating back 120 million years.

The museum project started in 1995 and was named after Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who presided over its opening ceremony in December 1998.
The museum is divided into 8 different exhibition zones. The Origin of the Earth and Universe; The Origin of Living Things, Paleozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Dinosaurs in Thailand, Bringing life to Dinosaurs, Cenozoic Era and the Origin of Humans. As well as the Sirindhorn Museum there is the nearby Phu Kum Khao excavation site, an example of the work carried out to recover and record dinosaur fossils found here.

Aware of another dinosaur fossil site at Phu Wieng in Khon Kaen, I’m interested to draw a comparison. While the excavations at Phu Kum Khao are not so extensive as at Phu Wieng, I am very impressed with the museum. Wonderfully laid out with models, diagrams, narratives, visuals and effects giving the bigger picture as to the origins, lives and ultimate demise of the dinosaurs, there is more than enough here to keep one absorbed for a couple of hours.
After effects……..After lunch and aware that I’ve had some issues with diarrhea since I was put on medication for the gout attack, I suffered a few days ago, the affects intensify during the visit to the museum and thing don’t bode well for the rest of the day leading up to the celebratory meal. I just have to cope with it for now.
Wat Phuttanimit Phra Saiyat…….. Wat Phuttanimit Phra Saiyat is located on minor road 2419 off Highway 227 running east from the Sirindhorn Museum. In addition, at this location is Phra Non, a reclining Buddha image carved into the rock face. The main feature of the temple is the huge tower built in sandstone with beautifully carved panels on all four sides. Each side has a doorway with huge beautifully carved wooden doors. Within the tower without windows, huge columns support the roof in classical style unlike architecture normally found in Thailand. The dimly lit interior gives the impression of a vault in a cathedral. Outside is a Buddha Garden richly decorated with stone carvings and hardwood features.

Nearby is the viharn (assembly hall) built entirely out of wood with richly decorated panels. It is said that the wood originates from the waters near the Lam Pao Dam.
The unusual thing about Wat Phuttanimit Phra Saiyat is the lack of information about it either onsite or online causing me to concentrate on visual and photographic evidence which leaves me somewhat confused as to when the temple was built.

Lam Pao Reservoir……..With the last two visits this afternoon taking time there is not too much daylight left. Fortunately, not far away an opportunity to witness a glorious sunset presents itself as in the district is the massive Lam Pao Reservoir. Heading west from Highway 227 near the Sirindhorn Museum we locate the Thepsuda Bridge which connects both sides of the Lam Pao Reservoir east/west. Here we stop and enjoy that amazing sunset before heading back to Kalasin.

Fragile……..With symptoms still evident from my stomach upset, I force myself through the ordeal of that exotic dinner, ordinarily a sight to behold, but just picking my way though it fearing I will pay for it later and, sure enough, I do. I’m up all night. Next Page.