Day 7, 29 October - Bueng Kan
Celebrations Continue....... We've managed to overcome the deficiencies at Uthit Resort and my blog is up to date despite such a lot to cover yesterday but I wake very early for no obvious reason. In addition, I've started a site visit list for today and I hope to reach an important milestone. The resort requires us to leave before 10.00am but that's no problem. The Ok Phan Sa celebrations will continue to have a knock-on effect today.
The first location on my list is just across the provincial border in Bueng Kan Province.
Wat Sawang Arom (Wat Tham Sri Thon)....... Wat Sawang Arom or Wat Tham Si Thon is located on the rocky ground of a hill. It is shady with trees with a small stream flowing through it. The Ubosot (ordination hall) stands on a giant boulder. From here, a view of Laos can be seen in the distance. Down below, a reclining Buddha image is housed for the people to pay homage to. This is one of the main temples of Bueang Khan Province, covering an area of 40 rai. According to history, the area used to be the home of Pak Khat villagers, who migrated from Ban Pak Kluai, Pak San district in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Incredible Achievement....... This first attraction allows me to record my first visit in Beung Kan province, one that has eluded me in the past. However, the visit has much deeper significance since I now have recorded something in every Isan province. Moreover, it is my 73rd province I've visited out of 76. Only 3 deep south provinces are still missing. As far as my list is concerned, I only intend to cover the western part of Bueng Kan Province today as I head for the city. To add some scenic attractions, I choose a longer route to Bueng Kan that follows the Mekong River bank.
Kaeng A Hong....... We arrive at Kaeng A Hong on a bend in the Mekong River. This is a viewpoint which I can imagine would be popular in the dry season exposing more of the riverbed as I witnessed in Ubon Ratchathani in April. We continue along the river.
Northernmost viewpoint in the Northeast (Isan)....... Although the Northernmost viewpoint in the Northeast is marked as such on the riverbank, there is really nothing much to see; a similar location in Ubon Ratchathani Province declaring the most easterly point in Thailand is far more interesting. Yet another location on the bank of the Mekong River is located much closer to the city.
The Navel of Mekong (Mekong mid-point)....... The Navel of Mekong is located at Wat Ahong Saliwas. The navel is an island located at one the Mekong River's narrower points. This location has attracted many visitors on this auspicious day. Under the shade of a marquee, a smartly dressed hermit is giving a sermon. He loves the sound of his voice that much that his microphone is attached to a truck with and amplifier and huge speakers. If I've got the translation right, the hermit is appealing to the serpent in the water not to eat him. At this point the heat is getting unbearable and I'm looking forward to reaching our hotel. Just one more attraction flags up on Google Map.
Wat Samakkhi Uppatham (Wat Phu Kratae)....... Wat Samakkhi Upatha is the residence of Luangpho Thongphun Sirikamo (Phra Yannasitthachan), Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor of Nong Khai, who is a meditation monk under the School of Phra Achan Man Phurithatta Thera and Phra Achan Chuan Kunlachettho of Wat Chetiya Khiri Wihan (Phu Thok). He is a highly respected and merciful monk. People come to pay homage for auspiciousness in their lives. The sermon hall houses a sacred image of Phra Sangkatchai that is 30 inches wide across the lap and is famous for granting prosperity in business and a happy life. It's now around 2.00pm and we can check-in at BK Place Hotel. Such is my worry about finding accommodation that I book for two nights. The price of the second drops tomorrow but still is over my budget. However, breakfast is included. A downside of BK Place is that there's no restaurant nearby, so we get back in the car and head for the food court at Lotus.
Back at BK Place we settle in. The hotel is a bit dated but there is no inconvenience and soon two tired bodies are fast asleep. Three hours later there's no time for site visits except one.
Bueng Kan Walking Street....... We arrive at Bueng Kan Walking Street with its obvious party atmosphere but it's not as busy as I expect, and the promenade is a poor version of Mukdahan. After walking around and experiencing the fireworks we find a riverside restaurant and that we do it for today, one that has been far more peaceful than expected.
Next Page.
Celebrations Continue....... We've managed to overcome the deficiencies at Uthit Resort and my blog is up to date despite such a lot to cover yesterday but I wake very early for no obvious reason. In addition, I've started a site visit list for today and I hope to reach an important milestone. The resort requires us to leave before 10.00am but that's no problem. The Ok Phan Sa celebrations will continue to have a knock-on effect today.
The first location on my list is just across the provincial border in Bueng Kan Province.
Wat Sawang Arom (Wat Tham Sri Thon)....... Wat Sawang Arom or Wat Tham Si Thon is located on the rocky ground of a hill. It is shady with trees with a small stream flowing through it. The Ubosot (ordination hall) stands on a giant boulder. From here, a view of Laos can be seen in the distance. Down below, a reclining Buddha image is housed for the people to pay homage to. This is one of the main temples of Bueang Khan Province, covering an area of 40 rai. According to history, the area used to be the home of Pak Khat villagers, who migrated from Ban Pak Kluai, Pak San district in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Incredible Achievement....... This first attraction allows me to record my first visit in Beung Kan province, one that has eluded me in the past. However, the visit has much deeper significance since I now have recorded something in every Isan province. Moreover, it is my 73rd province I've visited out of 76. Only 3 deep south provinces are still missing. As far as my list is concerned, I only intend to cover the western part of Bueng Kan Province today as I head for the city. To add some scenic attractions, I choose a longer route to Bueng Kan that follows the Mekong River bank.
Kaeng A Hong....... We arrive at Kaeng A Hong on a bend in the Mekong River. This is a viewpoint which I can imagine would be popular in the dry season exposing more of the riverbed as I witnessed in Ubon Ratchathani in April. We continue along the river.
Northernmost viewpoint in the Northeast (Isan)....... Although the Northernmost viewpoint in the Northeast is marked as such on the riverbank, there is really nothing much to see; a similar location in Ubon Ratchathani Province declaring the most easterly point in Thailand is far more interesting. Yet another location on the bank of the Mekong River is located much closer to the city.
The Navel of Mekong (Mekong mid-point)....... The Navel of Mekong is located at Wat Ahong Saliwas. The navel is an island located at one the Mekong River's narrower points. This location has attracted many visitors on this auspicious day. Under the shade of a marquee, a smartly dressed hermit is giving a sermon. He loves the sound of his voice that much that his microphone is attached to a truck with and amplifier and huge speakers. If I've got the translation right, the hermit is appealing to the serpent in the water not to eat him. At this point the heat is getting unbearable and I'm looking forward to reaching our hotel. Just one more attraction flags up on Google Map.
Wat Samakkhi Uppatham (Wat Phu Kratae)....... Wat Samakkhi Upatha is the residence of Luangpho Thongphun Sirikamo (Phra Yannasitthachan), Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor of Nong Khai, who is a meditation monk under the School of Phra Achan Man Phurithatta Thera and Phra Achan Chuan Kunlachettho of Wat Chetiya Khiri Wihan (Phu Thok). He is a highly respected and merciful monk. People come to pay homage for auspiciousness in their lives. The sermon hall houses a sacred image of Phra Sangkatchai that is 30 inches wide across the lap and is famous for granting prosperity in business and a happy life. It's now around 2.00pm and we can check-in at BK Place Hotel. Such is my worry about finding accommodation that I book for two nights. The price of the second drops tomorrow but still is over my budget. However, breakfast is included. A downside of BK Place is that there's no restaurant nearby, so we get back in the car and head for the food court at Lotus.
Back at BK Place we settle in. The hotel is a bit dated but there is no inconvenience and soon two tired bodies are fast asleep. Three hours later there's no time for site visits except one.
Bueng Kan Walking Street....... We arrive at Bueng Kan Walking Street with its obvious party atmosphere but it's not as busy as I expect, and the promenade is a poor version of Mukdahan. After walking around and experiencing the fireworks we find a riverside restaurant and that we do it for today, one that has been far more peaceful than expected.
Next Page.
Bueang Khan Province
Wat Sawang Arom (Wat Tham Sri Thon),
Non Sila, Pak Khat District
Kaeng A Hong, Na Kang, Pak Khat District
Mekong River, Na Kang, Pak Khat District
Northernmost Viewpoint in the Northeast (Isan), Ho Kham, Mueang Bung Kan District
The Navel of Mekong (Mekong mid-point), Khai Si, Mueang Bung Kan District
Wat Samakkhi Uppatham (Wat Phu Kratae), Wisit, Mueang Bung Kan District
Bueng Khan Walking Street,
Nai Mueang Bung Kan