Chiang Khan is too quiet, let's find something to do in Nong Khai.

[Live recording of my journey]


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After visiting Phu Bo Bid from Loei city (http://pantip.com/topic/35329482), I headed to Chiang Khan. Although I felt that the rain would not be kind to us anymore, this premonition was not wrong. However, I had already thought from the beginning of my first trip that I wanted to visit each place in every season, at least three times a year if possible. I believe that even during the off-season, there may be unique and beautiful views that can impress us.





I've never seen a "Beware of Turtles Crossing" sign before.



We arrived at our chosen accommodation, 'Baan Hau' (https://goo.gl/maps/mhdwSsmL3TF2), and requested a four-day, three-night stay (June 30th to July 3rd). After negotiating, we secured a discount of 400 baht per night. Upon inspecting the premises, we were thoroughly impressed. The owner, who also serves as a local guide, provided valuable insights into nearby attractions. Moreover, the spacious and private rooms were well-equipped with all necessary amenities.

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Villagers would go about their daily lives as usual. The elderly would often sit outside their homes, watching people pass by.



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The school day is coming to an end, and the school buses are lined up, ready to take the students home.



The neighborhood was indeed as beautiful as I had imagined. The houses were well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing, but there weren't many activities to pique my interest. Taking pictures of the buildings during the day wouldn't be ideal due to the harsh lighting, which would cast deep shadows and darken the interiors. This left me feeling idle and without anything to do.



To find interesting places to stop and take pictures, I started researching online. During my search, I came across a captivating image that appeared to depict the Mekong River splitting into two distinct channels. Eager to learn more, I delved into the details and discovered that the photograph had been taken from Wat Pha Tak Suea in Nong Khai. "That's not far," I thought to myself, without bothering to verify the exact distance. In reality, it was quite a considerable journey.

Translation:



The route I took to Wat Pha Tak Seua, starting from Chiang Khan, was not far, but it took almost 2 hours.



The route I took was along the Mekong River. I had heard from many people that the road before reaching Pak Chom district was beautiful. I thought it was beautiful, but I didn't stop to take many pictures because I was in a hurry to catch the sunset at Wat Pha Tak Sue.

Translation:

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The Nong Pla Buk viewpoint offers parking and a view of the Mekong River, which features small islands and rapids.



The longer I rode, the more I realized I was wrong to think it wasn't far. But finally, I saw the temple standing prominently on the cliff. I hurried up, thinking that I would definitely make it in time for the sunset. Today was a good day to see the sunlight, the sky was not completely overcast.



Situated on a hill, Wat Pha Tak Saeo is visible from afar, even from the main road.



Translation:

The road leading to the temple is in excellent condition and very scenic, especially before 6:00 PM when the low-angle sunlight creates a beautiful effect. The road is steep and quite long, but this is not a problem as it is paved with asphalt that appears to have been recently laid.

The temple entrance, clearly marked with opening and closing hours of 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Translation:

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Riding back, I had covered more than half the distance when heavy rain started to fall and it was already dark. The weather was quite chilly. For safety reasons, I tried to stay close to a car that was traveling at a similar speed to me, as its headlights provided much better visibility. By the time I reached my accommodation, it was almost 8 pm. I was soaked through. After checking in, I took a shower and prepared for bed, as I planned to climb Phu Tok the next day. I set my alarm for 4:30 am.


Live recording June 28, 2016 Loei City, Lost, Fun, Tired, Wet, Impressed, Kindness

Live Recording June 25-26, 2016 [First Visit to Loei, Impressed by the Sky Road] (http://pantip.com/topic/35316607)

Giant catfish, Tak Ta Wan, Talay Noi, water buffalo, migratory birds, Lamphu tree - Talay Noi - Phatthalung (http://pantip.com/topic/34977668)

Wooden bridge, the ultimate chill - Mon way of life - Mon Bridge - Sangkhla Buri - Kanchanaburi (http://pantip.com/topic/34907371)

Witness the Sea of Mist and Experience the Warmth of Khao Pha Nen Thung

This sentence describes a trip to Khao Pha Nen Thung, a location in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi, Thailand. The phrase "ชมทะเลหมอก ชิมน้ำใจ" translates to "witness the sea of mist and experience the warmth," highlighting the natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere of the place. The link provided leads to a forum discussion on Pantip.com about this specific location.

Bang Phra Reservoir: A Cyclist's Paradise for Finding Like-Minded Companions - Bang Phra Reservoir - Chonburi (http://pantip.com/topic/35208447)



My photo page recommends tourist attractions https://www.facebook.com/omeoyou/

Chiang Khan in the rainy season, Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Khao Ngon Silver
Normally, I wouldn't wake up late when I travel, but this time I woke up very late because I set my phone to wake me up at the wrong time. I woke up almost 6 am, so I decided to go out for a walk in Chiang Khan in the morning after the rain had just stopped. The roads were still wet.



Unlike the bustling scene at the Mon Bridge, where tourists flock to participate in the alms-giving ceremony alongside the Mon locals (http://pantip.com/topic/34907371), the number of tourists at this location is significantly lower. Despite the reduced tourist presence, the local residents of Chiang Khan continue to practice their daily alms-giving rituals. Tourists can be observed occasionally cycling or strolling around, but the overall number remains relatively small.



Villagers are fishing, with a view of the Laotian side in the background.

Translation:







Most shops are closed in the morning, but some souvenir shops remain open.



Skylab, the three-wheeled vehicle, is not only used for passenger transportation, but it has also been modified into a versatile cargo vehicle, a common sight throughout the city.





A view of the Mekong River walking street with mountain mist. This kind of view may be difficult to find in other seasons, even in winter. However, during the rainy season, it is so common that people get tired of it.

After taking photos for a while, we went to Wat Chiang Khan, also known as Wat Ho Song Nang, to pray for good fortune. The uncle who helped take care of our accommodation told us that donations for prayers at this temple should not exceed 1 baht for them to be effective. While I don't personally believe in luck, I can't deny that certain events that occur could be attributed to it. However, I believe that a person's success or failure is primarily determined by their own efforts. Nevertheless, opportunities also play a crucial role. Could opportunities be considered luck?



Translation:

The overall area of Wat Chiang Khan, which is located on the banks of the Mekong River, is not very wide.



I make a wish here.

Translation:

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Mekong River view from Wat Chiang Khan



The temple grounds are adorned with statues of renowned Buddhist monks, each accompanied by unique devotional chants.



The temple located on the front side of the building of Wat Chiang Khan.



After making a wish, I traveled to Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Kwai Ngern, as recommended by my friend. He told me that the temple is located on a mountain, but I didn't expect much in terms of views, as it is not as well-known for its scenery as Wat Pha Tak Seua.

The road here may not be as good as the one leading up to Wat Pha Tak Seua, but it is not too bad. All types of vehicles can access it. The road is quite steep but not too long.



I saw the clouds coming from afar, and I knew that it would definitely rain. I just hoped that I could reach my destination before the rain started, so that I could find a place to shelter and wait for the rain to stop.

Translation:

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Despite the heavy rain, I continued taking photos, sheltered by an umbrella from the auntie selling snacks at the temple.

Translation:

According to local legend, this temple was once home to a silver buffalo, hence its name.



A large statue of a Buddha is situated at the top.



The rain stopped after a while. I was looking for an angle when I noticed a rainbow above the pagoda covering the Buddha's footprint. It was actually two layers, but the second layer, which was slightly higher, looked faint. In the picture, I could enhance the rainbow to show two layers, but the image wouldn't look natural, so I didn't do it. To be honest, you wouldn't see it with the naked eye unless you looked closely.





The rainbow appears as a reward for those who wait patiently.



The pagoda covering the Buddha's footprint here is beautiful and clean. There is also an aunt standing guard, waiting to sell offerings for worship. On the top floor, there is a rabbit cage. The snack shop also sells rabbit food for tourists.

A large rabbit cage with at least 30-50 rabbits.



Chiang Khan on a Friday night.
The number of tourists has increased. Shops are still open as usual, but some are closed. There are few people walking around. Tonight, I'm looking for a som tam restaurant after not having eaten delicious som tam since I was a child. I hope I'll find what I'm looking for here, but no such luck. 555

This person has been singing all day today and Saturday. They have a good voice.



This restaurant has been mentioned frequently, but I haven't tried it yet.



An ATM is available on the walking street.

I tried cycling along the Mekong River road in the early evening. For a Friday, it was surprisingly quiet, almost eerily so.



I had a satisfying meal and took a few photos. Chiang Khan was still waking up for a Friday in my opinion, but I wasn't worried because Saturday would surely be lively. I knew that. Today, I went to bed early for fear of oversleeping and missing another trip to Phu Tok.

A Scenic Morning Ride to Phu Tok: Embracing the Charm of Chiang Khan

The allure of Phu Tok beckoned me early on a Saturday morning. With a gentle smile, I embarked on a leisurely ride, knowing that the destination was within easy reach. The road leading to Phu Tok, though not far from Chiang Khan, demanded caution due to its uneven surface.



The next leg of our journey will involve hitching a ride with local villagers to reach the summit of Phu Thok.



I arrived at Phu Tok around 5:00 AM. The checkpoint was already open, and a two-row car was waiting. Tourists cannot go up on their own and must take a shuttle bus. The service starts at 5:00 AM.







The car I was riding in was still very dark on the mountain.



The fog was quite thick, but not so dense that it completely obscured visibility.



Translation:

A short drive brought me to the summit, nearly 500 meters high. I explored the area, taking a few photos despite the heavy fog. Soon, the first group of tourists arrived from Bangkok. I had the chance to chat with them later, and they were incredibly friendly.





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The early morning mist shrouded the mountaintop, obscuring the view. As the sun rose, the mist gradually dissipated, revealing the landscape below. A brief period of dense fog created a sea of clouds, but it soon dissipated, enveloping us once more.



As the fog began to lift,



There are many signs available for you to take photos with.



While waiting for the fog to clear, I had the opportunity to chat with a group of young tourists. It was a pleasant experience to have someone to talk to, and they were curious about my photography. Some of them even liked my page! (Thank you for following me.)



The fog began to descend and form a sea of mist. This was just the beginning.

The sea of mist begins to form.



A sea of mist has fully formed.



From certain angles, the ground below can be seen beneath the sea of fog.

Translation:

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A young couple who were dating sat and talked with me until they became the last group to descend from Phu Tok together. We talked for a long time. They travel frequently, as their semester schedule likely allows for a lot of free time each week. They said they travel every week. We have kept in touch since then, and I hope to have the opportunity to travel with them in the future. I really like the way they pose for photos.



The two siblings who set out every week talked for a long time and were the last group to descend the mountain.

Wat Phra Yai
During my free time, I visited Wat Phra Yai, another recommended tourist spot here. I was more interested in the view of the river where it meets the Mekong River, but I didn't expect much, as I thought there would be trees blocking the view.



Upon arrival, the view was obstructed by trees, as expected. However, the majestic standing Buddha statue stood out beautifully in its own way. Additionally, if you have time, it is recommended to pay respects at the temple, which is not far from Chiang Khan. The roads are well-maintained.





I noticed a staircase leading down. It looked like it went quite deep. I've been feeling a bit strange in my right knee lately, but I figured I might as well go down and check it out.

The temperature is around 482 degrees, which is not too bad. However, the humidity is very high, making it feel much hotter. I'm not sure if it's because of the rain or something else.



Villagers are catching shrimp.



Upon hearing the sound of voices, I peered over the edge and saw villagers catching something near the bank. There were several people, which was not surprising, as most river mouths have some form of fishing activity due to the rich ecosystem found in these areas.



I later learned that the villagers were catching shrimp from that spot. There were a lot of shrimp. After talking to the villagers for a while, I returned to prepare for my meeting in Chiang Khan on Saturday night.



Chiang Khan on a bustling day

Translation:

It's no surprise that Saturday, the busiest travel day of the week, brought a lively atmosphere to the normally tranquil Mekong riverside promenade. People strolled along the path, creating a bustling scene.



Tourists enjoy snacks and the breeze from the Mekong River at the rest stop.



Although it is not yet dark, the walking street is already bustling with activity.



Today, I switched up my dinner for some street food from the walking street. It wasn't expensive, but the enoki mushrooms wrapped in ham were pricier than I expected at 60 baht for 3 skewers. I also bought some grilled sticky rice, called "khao jee," which was delicious, but I got a bit tired of it towards the end. I also bought some banana-stuffed deep-fried dough sticks, which were very tasty.



I forgot to mention that I had lunch at Joom Nua in Soi 10. I had heard of this restaurant before, and I went there three times because I didn't know the opening hours. It turns out that if you go after 3 pm, the restaurant is already closed. It's quite popular, and the food is delicious.



Various barbecue restaurants

Translation:

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Rice wrapped in banana leaves, sold by street vendors.



The deep-fried dough stick shop offers a variety of fillings, but the banana filling is particularly delicious.



The streets were bustling with activity, and shops were noticeably more open than the previous day. While some shops were quiet yesterday, today, popular restaurants were packed or had queues forming.



Translation:

Despite the bustling crowds during the high season, Chiang Khan also reveals a different side during the rainy season. Just a few meters off the main road, the atmosphere becomes noticeably quieter. Some shops remain eerily empty, with owners patiently waiting for the influx of tourists that typically arrives with the winter months. It's during this peak season that every alleyway overflows with visitors.



A secluded corner just 5-10 meters away from the bustling street.

Four days and three nights in Chiang Khan during the season of tranquility, greenery, and mist.

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