After a 2.5 hour delayed flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani, we were met by Alan’s brother Mark and his wife Tik. They kindly drove us back to the Rattanawapi area where they live. It was great to catch up with them after 7.5 years!
The location of Rattanawapi in Nong Khai province. Mark and Alan on Mark’s terrace.Mark and Tik at their house just south of Rattanawapi.Large butterfly in Mark and Tik’s garden.Our bungalow in the Rattanawapi Resort
On Monday we drove two hours north to the temple complex of Wat ahong sila wat near Bueng Kan. This also was on banks of the Mekong but further downstream where there are more boulders and the river is narrower. Flow was about 5 mph in the middle.
Typical multi-purpose sidecar outfit of 110-125ccElaborate signage at entrance to major towns.The Mekong next to the Wat Aheng Sila Wat temple. The Laos mountains are in the background.
On Sunday Mark and Tik showed us the Sala Keo Ku Hindu/Buddhist sculpture complex near Nong Khai. Fascinating creatures and some good size catfish! Later Tik showed us her farm with rubber, banana, coconut, guava, lime and papaya trees.
Some fruits from Tik’s farm (guava and limes)Temple at Pak KhatA tall part of the temple!Dragons guarding the templeViews over the temple to the Mekong and Laos beyondInteresting part of the temple made of water pots. Entrance to the Sala Keo Ku Hindu/Buddhist sculpture complex. Note the entrance price for “foreigners”!A few of the many sculptures on displaySerpents galore!Behind you….Hiding from the monsters…Lunch beside the Mekong just north of Nong Khai. The far bank is Laos.A delicious meal cooked by Tik; tom yam soup with shrimp and stir-fried pork with peppers and cashews.Tik proudly showing us the fruits of her labour on her rubber, banana, coconut, guava, lime and papaya tree farm!Some of Tik’s bananas The girls discussing fruit cultivation.A good size papaya on Tik’s farmRubber trees being tapped.The farm’s irrigation system using solar panels and pumped ground water.
On Saturday we had a great day out, first visiting the Mekong River at Pak Khat. A race was taking place of Thailand’s version of dragon boats. Each boat/canoe held fifty paddlers! Afterwards we visited a nearby Buddhist temple with excellent views of the Laos mountains and the Mekong River. In the evening Tik cooked a delicious green chicken curry and sweet and sour pork.
Dragon Boat racing Thai style at Pak Khat on the Mekong River.The Mekong Race venue
