Red Lotus Sea... is the name of a large lotus pond with tens of thousands of lotus flowers. It is considered a wonder that does not happen easily. And it is known as one of the strangest lakes in the world. During this time, it is also the right season to go and see the beauty of this special thing.

On this trip, besides the Red Lotus Sea that I will take you to visit, there are also other tourist attractions that I have traveled to. It takes a total of 2 days and 2 nights, covering a total distance of 455 kilometers with 6 tourist attractions in both Udon Thani and Nong Khai provinces. The trip is in a circular pattern, which I assure you is not difficult to follow.

Here are some tips for watching this review: There are a lot of pictures, about 100, so if you're watching on your phone and have a prepaid plan, please connect to WiFi first. Otherwise, you might run out of data and get stuck. Anyway, let's get started. I traveled on the evening of Friday, January 8th, so I wouldn't have to take the whole day off work. The plan was to arrive in the evening, check into our accommodation, and then head out to the Red Lotus Sea early the next morning. Thai AirAsia has two flights to Udon Thani, both in the morning and evening. I think this timing is great, as it's not too late.

After arriving at Don Mueang Airport with plenty of time to spare, I proceeded to check in. For those who are traveling during this time, I would like to recommend that the new Terminal 2 is not yet fully operational. It is advisable to allow ample time for your journey. For AirAsia flights, the check-in counter closes 45 minutes before departure. (I've noticed a lot of people missing their flights lately, so I'll emphasize this point.)

Once everything was in order, I went to wait for my flight at Gate 41. However, when the actual boarding time arrived, the airport authority seemed to have a slight problem, which meant that we ended up not boarding at that gate. They moved the gate... If I hadn't arrived early and was still walking around, I might have missed the final call announcement with my name on it. It would have been a mess. Actually, I wasn't going to tell this story at first, but I thought it might be helpful for many people. AirAsia was also kind enough to have staff waiting to inform us at the old gate. In the end, we took a bus to the new gate instead.

Once on board, everyone buckled up and waited for the plane to take off. I picked up a book to read and saw a full two-page spread of the Red Lotus Sea. You can use your AirAsia boarding pass to get a discount on your trip to see the Red Lotus Sea. However, you must travel with the Udon Thani Tourism Business Association. The bus will take you from the city to the pier. The price will be reduced from 499 baht to only 249 baht, a 50% discount. If you are interested, you can contact us to reserve a seat at 094-526-3344. And if you travel on weekdays, you can use your boarding pass to receive a souvenir at the Red Lotus Sea (too bad... I went on a holiday).

Actually, I like flying in the evening like this because it gives us the chance to see the sunset from the plane. The sky is so beautiful.

After a short while in the air, the flight attendants began serving meals to those who had pre-ordered. For this flight, I ordered grilled chicken with sticky rice and mango sticky rice for dessert. I'd also like to mention that Bangkok Bank - AirAsia credit card holders can redeem one hot or cold beverage. The flight took about an hour and a bit, and then we arrived at Udon Thani Airport.


After picking up my luggage, I headed to my accommodation. I stayed at the Hop Inn Hotel in Udon Thani, which is not far from the airport. It's a budget hotel that costs 550 baht per night (this hotel chain has branches in many provinces, with room rates ranging from 500-600 baht). It was very convenient and good value for money, as we only used it as a place to stay and store our belongings while we were out exploring.

**Red Lotus Sea, Kumphawapi District, Udon Thani Province**

We left around 5:00 AM and the journey took about 30-45 minutes. The road was easy to navigate and we arrived at around 6:10 AM. I thought I was early, but there were already some tourists there, some even arriving in vans. You might ask why they came so early. Well, I wanted to enjoy the atmosphere as the sun was rising. Also, if you come to see the lotus flowers too late, they will be fully bloomed and it will be hot. And if you come too late, the lotus flowers will close up, leaving only their尖尖的尖端.

The boat that we will take to see the red lotus sea will have 2 types: a small boat and a large boat. The small boat is suitable for those who come in small numbers. It can accommodate a maximum of only 2 people. The price is 100-150 baht. The price difference is the distance. As for the large boat, it can accommodate 10 people. Or if there are few people but want to take a large boat, you can rent it. The price is 300-500 baht. The size of the boat will have different advantages and disadvantages. The small boat can get closer to the lotus flowers because it can go deeper. But the large boat will be more comfortable to travel in, sit comfortably, not cramped. It's up to you to choose.

We will start boarding the boat around 6:30 am. I chose a small, long-distance boat because there are only two of us, and the boat is not so small that we can't move around. Sometimes, if you have good balance, you can even stand up. The uncle who drives the boat is very good at steering, and the ride is smooth. The first place the uncle will take us to is to watch the sunrise. The lotus flowers are slowly blooming one by one as the sunlight approaches. The uncle said, "It's not very cold this year, so the lotus flowers haven't bloomed much." But I think it's a lot, it's just that they're not packed together. When we reached the spot, we turned off the engine and waited quietly for the first light of dawn. It's a pity that there were quite a lot of clouds today, but we could still see where the sun was. We parked the boat for a while, and I asked the uncle to move the boat a little closer to the lotus flowers. I wanted to take some close-up pictures. The uncle used a pole to push the boat forward little by little. I feel so refreshed right now. The wind is blowing gently, and I feel it was worth getting on the boat this morning.

As I continued taking pictures while waiting for the sunrise, I chatted with the boatman about the areas he would take me to. He said, "I'll take you to a plot where the lotus flowers just bloomed three days ago. It's a plot where the lotus flowers are thick." But he said we would have to choose a long distance to get there. I was happy, of course. Since I came all this way, I wanted to capture some pictures of the lotus flowers in dense clumps. After talking for a while, I started to see a reddish glow. This time, I started pressing the shutter button repeatedly, afraid that I wouldn't be able to capture the sunrise as a red egg. Looking at the other boats, I saw everyone raising their cameras and phones to take pictures.

We've been here for quite a while now. I took some pictures of the surroundings and asked the old man if the water level would rise any higher. He said it would, but he couldn't say exactly when it would be at its highest. He said we'd have to wait and see week by week. However, based on his rough calculations, he estimated that the water level would be significantly higher by the end of January.

After that, the uncle took us on a tour around, but he told us that we could stop anywhere we wanted. He was really kind. We didn't have to rush, so we could just enjoy the nature. It's not often that we get to experience something like this.



Tourist boats are starting to appear more and more. We continue to sail further and further, and the deeper we go, the more lotus flowers we see. Occasionally, we see flocks of egrets flying by. The most common bird we see is the swallow, which swoops down to eat aquatic insects as the boat passes by. Wow, but they are really fast, I couldn't capture them in time. Besides, there isn't much light yet. Anyway, sometimes the camera doesn't capture the same impression as what we see with our own eyes. Let's just take it easy and enjoy the ride.

As I drifted along, I kept thinking about what kind of atmosphere I wanted to see. I thought that if I could see the villagers fishing or picking lotus flowers, it would be nice.



"Is there no one fishing around here?" I asked the old man. "Or is it forbidden?"

The old man smiled and replied, "If I hadn't come sailing, I would have caught them too, because I live here and fish for a living."



However, I understand that it would not be possible to find it in this area because the boat was moving all the time. While we were talking, we saw a boat parked. It must have come to pick up the lotus. I told my uncle to stop the boat immediately. The angle was perfect. The sunlight was shining through the clouds in thin streaks.

Some people come in groups of only two, but they still want a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. They sit and take selfies happily. I also saw many people taking large boats. Importantly, it's not just tourists from Bangkok. People from nearby provinces also come. You can tell from their accents that they speak Isaan language, which is very pleasant to hear.

And then we continued sailing to the new lotus field, which Uncle said had only been open for the past 3 days. Along the way, we saw a pagoda in the distance. I looked it up later and found out that it was the pagoda of Wat Maha That Chediyaram, or Wat Non That.

After a while, we arrived at a new lotus field where the lotus flowers were growing more densely than in the previous areas. It was the most I had seen so far. However, if you look back at old information, you will see that it used to be much more abundant and dense. People who come after me will probably see an even more spectacular sight.


I glanced over and saw 2-3 lotus flowers that were different from the others. They were white. I immediately asked my uncle to take the boat closer. The flowers were white with a light pink base. I asked my uncle if there was anywhere where the white lotus flowers grew in large clumps, but he replied, "No, there isn't." It's very rare to find white lotus flowers among the pink ones. If you happen to see them, please don't damage them. Let others enjoy them too.


After taking photos for a while, we headed back to the shore. Normally, the boat trip takes about 1-1.30 hours, but I guess because I spent a long time taking photos at each spot, it took almost 2 hours. I didn't realize it until we were already on the shore. I really want to apologize to the uncle. The uncle who drove the boat was very nice and didn't rush us at all. He wouldn't leave until we told him to go.


Upon reaching the top, we decided to explore the surrounding area. There were plenty of food and souvenirs to buy, like a small market. There were grilled rice, grilled chicken, grilled pork, grilled corn, grilled eggs, and even papaya salad (for those who like it spicy). You can definitely find something to eat here if you're hungry.


I saw this and thought it was strange, so I asked what it was. I was told that it was similar to coconut sugar, like palm sugar, but in small lumps. I tried it and it was sweet and slightly fragrant.


I also took the opportunity to visit the Maha That Thep Chin Da temple, also known as Wat Ban Deam, which is located nearby. I paid my respects and prayed for good luck before continuing my journey.



Arriving in Udon Thani, I wanted to try the local breakfast. The famous dish here is "egg in a pan with stuffed bread (baguette)". The shop I had in mind was called "Aom Ocha". So I ordered a set. It came with an egg in a pan, hot tea or coffee, and a glass of orange juice. I also got a pair of stuffed bread with Chinese sausage and pork or a baguette. Let me tell you, I wish I had a shop like this near my office. I would eat there every day.

Wat Pa Ban Kho, Ban Phue District, Udon Thani Province

The next place we will visit is "Wat Pa Ban Ko", a temple located on the way to Wat Pa Phu Khon. This temple was founded by "Phra Ajarn Thul Khippappanyo" (who passed away on November 11, 2008). It is a temple that focuses on meditation practice. Inside the temple, there is the Phra Maha That Chedi Chalerm Phra Barami Phra Nawamin, which enshrines the relics of the Buddha that were brought from Sri Lanka. It's a pity that when I went, the Phra Maha That Chedi was under renovation, but the inside was still open for worship.

The interior is adorned with exquisite murals depicting the ten Jataka tales of the "Great King Janaka" and "Prince Vessantara" on the walls surrounding the Great Stupa.

At the center is a golden stupa containing the relics of the Buddha, located in the middle of the main stupa. According to historical records, there is also a ceremony to bathe the relics during the month of Makha Bucha, or February.

On the side, there are pictures and statues of Luang Pho Thul. Luang Pho Thul, or Phra Panyapisalathera, was a highly respected monk. Currently, Luang Pho Thul has passed away. Her Royal Highness Princess Patcharakitiyapha presided over the royal cremation ceremony in early 2009.

Outside the Phra Maha Chedi, there is a Bodhi tree planted on the side. This Bodhi tree was propagated from the city of Anuradhapura by the Sri Lankan government. It is a descendant of the Bodhi tree that was brought by an Arhat nun from the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, India, over two thousand years ago.

In addition, within the temple grounds there is also the Luang Pho Thul Museum, which collects and displays books, teachings, and Buddhist works for visitors to view. However, as we did not have much time, as we had to continue our journey, we were unable to visit the museum. Pa Bhu Gorn Temple, Na Yung District, Udon Thani Province.

Phu Khon Forest Monastery, Na Yung District, Udon Thani Province

After leaving Wat Pa Ban Ko, we continued for about 90 kilometers, which took about 1.30 hours, to reach Phuttha Uthayan Maha Rukkhaparichat Phu Khon, or Wat Pa Phu Khon. The route on the map looked winding, but the journey was convenient and the roads were good. The place I went to pay respects to when I arrived was the Phra Vihara Phra Phuttha Saiyasana Lokanatha Sasada Mahamuni. At this point, there is only time to visit until about 5 pm. Anyone who wants to come should allow extra time.

Inside, there is a large white marble reclining Buddha statue, 20 meters long. It took 6 years to build, from 2006 to 2012.

The temple is surrounded by mountains and trees, making it look shady. In the forest below, you can see trees with red leaves mixed with green trees, which reminds me of the changing leaves in foreign countries. But I understand that it is probably because of the dust that has been blown up. But it looks beautiful and unusual. It didn't take me long. After paying homage to the reclining Buddha, I walked around taking pictures, which was just as the sun was about to set behind the mountains. It just so happened that the relatives who came to worship were also on their way back. Next time, if I have the chance, I will come for the whole day because the area around the temple is quite peaceful and surrounded by abundant nature.

After leaving the temple, I headed to Sangkom District, Nong Khai Province, which took about an hour to reach my accommodation. Today, I booked a room at "Poopae Thai Wooden House Resort," a resort located right on the banks of the Mekong River. However, it seemed that the resort was fully booked during this period, so I got a room in the new building zone. It was on the 3rd floor and didn't offer much of a view of the Mekong River. The room rate was 500 baht per night and included breakfast.

After packing up, we went to find dinner. Since we were by the Mekong River, we had to try some of the local delicacies. The menu we chose was "Mekong River Fish". The restaurant we chose was called "Sunflower", a restaurant and bar also located on the banks of the Mekong River.

The dishes I ordered were tom yum pla buk (catfish tom yum), stir-fried pla chang (snakehead fish), and herb-fried duck. The ingredients were fresh, and the food was delicious. However, for those who don't like fish, the smell of the catfish might be a bit bothersome, as it still had a faint fishy odor. (I've had catfish at other restaurants in other provinces, and they were able to remove the fishy smell more effectively.)

Phu Huai Isan, Sangkom District, Nong Khai Province

We left our accommodation at 5:30 am to go to the Mai Nam kitchen to take the "E-Taek" car, a vehicle that will take us up to Phu Huai Isan. The E-Taek car is a car with seats at the back and front of the driver. It uses a tractor engine to drive. The fare is 60 baht per person.

I can't believe that a small car like this can carry 5-6 people and climb a 30-degree slope. To be honest, I was a little scared. After about 20 minutes, we arrived at the viewpoint of Phu Huai Isan. There were a lot of tourists there.

This area of Phu Huai Isan is a point where we can see the area of the Thai side and the Lao side, with the Mekong River as a barrier. It is a viewpoint with a sea of fog if the weather permits.

Deep down, I was still hoping. Last night, there was a light drizzle that stopped, and I thought there might be a chance to see the sea of fog. But it seems that the sky wasn't on our side. Only a thin fog drifted in before the sun rose fully. It was probably because the air wasn't cold enough to create a sea of fog. But looking closely, it was a beautiful sight in its own way. I felt refreshed.

This seems to be a popular spot for young people as well. At this point, we spent about an hour capturing photos and soaking in the atmosphere. Afterwards, we queued up for the ride down. The descent was a bit nerve-wracking, as the road was steep and looked a bit loose. The sound of the driver's brakes was deafening, like an elephant trumpeting nearby.

After we arrived downstairs, we went back to our accommodation. Although the accommodation provided breakfast, we still wanted to try some delicious food this morning. After searching for information, we found a "rice noodle soup" shop that didn't even have a sign. Let's give it a try, I don't think it will hurt. This shop is not difficult to find, but it's not easy either. You have to drive slowly. The shop is located next to a motorcycle dealership. The shop itself is a 2-story wooden shophouse.

The restaurant has limited seating, but I was able to squeeze in at a table with other guests. It was quite cozy. After a short wait, I received my special rice porridge with an egg. The porridge here is made with noodles that the owner kneads herself. A word of advice for those who plan to eat here: add the condiments gradually and taste as you go. Be careful with the chili paste, it's very spicy! Even though it was a cool morning, I was sweating from the heat.

And when the bill came, I was even more surprised... the special rice porridge with egg was only 25 baht a bowl! It was delicious and cheap, no wonder people were queuing up to eat at the restaurant and take it home. I recommend this place if you have the chance to pass by.

Wat Pha Tak Seua, Sangkom District, Nong Khai Province

After finishing our breakfast, we returned to our accommodation to pack our belongings. However, on our way back, there was still a little more to see. The first place we visited was "Wat Pha Tak Seua". Previously known as Wat Tham Phra, this temple boasts stunning scenery. The top of the temple offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the Mekong River, where we could see the river converge into a Y-shape.

Our first stop was the upper ordination hall, which we reached by climbing the naga stairs. Inside the ordination hall, there is a principal Buddha image and relics of the Buddha.

After descending from the ordination hall, walk to the bell tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the Mekong River from a high angle. The unique Y-shaped river mentioned above is clearly visible. Construction is currently underway next to the bell tower, with numerous piles being driven. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that the provincial government is planning to construct a 9 x 9 meter glass walkway (similar to those in China) along the cliff edge. This will undoubtedly provide a thrilling experience. An image of the completed walkway is provided for reference.

Actually, before reaching the temple, there is a spot that I think would be a great place to sit and enjoy the view. It offers a clearer view of the scenery than the top. I believe it was built specifically for people to sit and watch the sunset. From this angle, you can see the entire road in Sangkom District (the resort is the yellow building in the picture).

Wat Aranyaprawat, Sri Chiang Mai District, Nong Khai Province

The temple wasn't actually in my plan, but on the way back, while driving, I saw the pagoda standing tall above the trees from afar. That's when I slowed down to see what this place was. After a while, I saw the entrance sign to the temple.

Here is some basic information I found about the history of Wat Aranyabanphot. The temple was built by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand as a dedication to Luang Pu Koon, a highly respected monk with many disciples. Luang Pu Koon was renowned for his expertise in Vipassana meditation. He passed away on June 5, 2005. The temple has a spacious area. Upon entering, you will encounter the Luang Pu Koon pavilion, a four-sided pavilion with access points on all sides. The entire structure is made of clear glass, providing a clear view of the interior. Inside, you will find a life-size statue of Luang Pu Koon standing.

After walking a little further, you will find the Phra Suthammachedi of Wat Aranyabanphot, the large chedi that I saw earlier. Inside, there is a principal Buddha image and a wax figure of Luang Pu Rueaan.

And on the sides of the main Buddha statue, there are glass cabinets with small platforms lined up, filled with relics of the Buddha and the ashes of famous monks. These include Luang Pu Thes Tesrangsi of Wat Hin Mak Peng and a strand of hair from Luang Pu Waen Sujinnho.

After that, we traveled back to Udon Thani city. This concludes our trip to Udon Thani and Nong Khai. I would like to share my personal thoughts about this trip.



**Red Lotus Sea, Kumphawapi District, Udon Thani Province**

From what I've seen in the past, the lotus flowers were packed tightly, filling every space. This time, I missed out a bit because the weather was quite unpredictable. When I went, the temperature was around 20 degrees in the early morning (which I knew was cooler than usual). But I think after the time I went, the lotus flowers will probably bloom even more. And it looks like the old stalks haven't withered yet. Check the weather carefully. If it starts to cool down again, there will definitely be a lot of them this year because the lotus fields will start to bloom one after another.



Phu Khon Forest Monastery

If you have the chance to visit Udon Thani, I highly recommend paying a visit to this religious site. It's an ideal place for those who wish to practice Vipassana meditation, thanks to its peaceful and serene surroundings.



**Phu Huai Isan, Sangkom District, Nong Khai Province**

It's a pity that I didn't get to see the sea of fog that was so thick it covered the entire Mekong River, but the scenery I did see wasn't disappointing. However, I'm a little sad that I couldn't fully capture its beauty in my photos.



This trip, I would like to thank Thai AirAsia for facilitating my travel to Udon Thani. It was a great experience.

Let me leave you with this picture. If you get to visit when the red lotus is in full bloom, please take a picture like this and share it with me. Thank you to everyone who has followed me this far (sorry for the long review again, I could go on, but I'm afraid you might get bored).


Let me leave you all with a little something.

"Traveling is not just about relaxation, but it's about exploring the world."

If you can only read, it will eventually become just a story.

Pack your bags and let's go... Life is a journey"



Thank you to everyone who has been following my blog. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to ask. You can also follow my travels on my fan page at

https://www.facebook.com/naisoop

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See you again in the next review.

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