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Published: March 20th 2006
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River Cruise
View from the Mekong of Nong Khai temple. Nong Khai is in Northeastern (Isaan) Thailand and was just a short stop-off place for us en route to Bangkok. We arrived on Sunday 12th at lunchtime (after our short bus journey from Vientiane, Laos). We ended up having a really good stay there (due to a cool guesthouse and a strange encounter with a 'fake' tourguide!!!)
At the bus station we braved a tuk tuk (hadn't been on one for a while) and headed for a guesthouse that we had read about (in our Lonely Planet Bible!) We managed to get the last available bungalow at Mutmee Guesthouse and settled in. It was in a great location - right on the Mekong, with a great view across the border to Laos. The grounds to the guesthouse were very atmospheric too - comprising of an overgrown garden with hammocks, loungers and swings.
We hired bikes from Mutmee and went for a cycle round the town. We mainly went to get our train tickets for the following nights journey to Bangkok. The train station was new and very impressive! We went for a drink over the road and there was the most enthusiastic restaurant-owner that we had ever come across!!!
Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge
The view of the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge from Mutmee Guesthouse (we had crossed it earlier on in the day). He was hilarious, very friendly and was raving about his baguettes and music options for guests!!! We also checked out the Tesco Superstore - it is similar to home although has other shops and services in aswell (as its Tesco Lotus). Still, quite amusing being in a Tesco in Thailand!!! We were on a mission to find Marmite (Jamie had a craving) but we failed. We brought loads of sweets instead and - guesswhat - CRABSTICKS!!! (Karen also had a craving).
In the evening we went on a river cruise of the Mekong. It left at 5.30pm (costing about 1 pound) and lasted just over an hour. We got to see the sunset on the boat and arrived back when it was dark. Had a nice meal back at the GH - fresh Mekong fish. Karen crashed out exhausted after all the Laos excitement while Jamie went in search of somewhere playing the Liverpool match - he suceeded and found a hotel. They lost though so he was not happy when he got in at 1.30am! (Sucker!!!).
Our next and final day in Nong Khai we got a tuk tuk the short distance across town to the Salakaewkoo
'The Return of the Chedi'
The sunken Chedi in the Mekong. Sculpture Park. It contains sculptures that rise more than seven stories high and was built by the mystic shamen Luang Poo Boun Leua Sourirat. It took more than 20 years (with the help of others) to construct and is mighty impressive!
We walked round the park for a while looking at all the different sculptures and the 'circle of life' display. We then went into the building in the grounds - where they have more information on the artist himself (like a shrine). We were approached by a really old man who told us to follow him (so we did). He then took us round all 3 floors of the building - talking to us in what he thought was English - but we couldn't understand a word he was saying!!! It was a really bizarre moment and had us in hysterics after (we were trying to keep a straight face at the time!) We had no clue and when he wasn't giving us his long speeches he would point to a tree trunk and say "wood", then a pair of large elephant tusks and say "big elephant"!!! It was a very informative tour! The body of the sculpter
Karen & Jamie Cruising!!!
Us a little 'tipsy' after 2 litres of Chang on the river! is actually contained on the 2nd floor of this building. It was in a huge display case with all christmas lights and a toy aquarium in front of it. The man said we could take a photo but, funnily enough, we didn't want one!!! After, our non sensical tour the man asked us out-right for a tip! (We gave him 20 baht for his cheek!!!)
In the evening we headed to the train station a bit early to go and try the enthusiastic mans baguettes! He was right to be smug - they were lovely and filled us ready for our long journey. He also changed the music for us from the cheesy eurotrance to Pink Floyd (we left him feeling very proud!!!)
Our train bound for Bangkok left at 7pm. The seat wasn't that bad although, this time, Karens didn't recline, so it wasn't quite as 'smooth' as before. We didn't sleep for long. We arrived in Bangkok at 7.30am. At Bangkok train station we brought our next ticket to Chumphon (on the southeast coast) to leave that evening (heading for Ko Tao Island). We got a train, bus and boat ticket all combined (a long journey
Mutmee Guesthouse
Karen on the veranda (spot all the mozzie bites!) ahead but getting more used to it now!)
We spent the day in Bangkok, milling around and taking in the atmosphere for the last time. We lingered round the Khao San Road people watching. Despite our first fears and impressions of Bangkok, we were actually really sad to leave. It made us realise how much we had grown to like the place!
Our train left at 22.50. We had to sit in an airconditioned carriage because the fan seats were all full (cheek - making us pay 60 baht more to travel!!!) The journey was great - the best train we have been on. We're not sure if it was a different company, or just because it was a different route, but we had a lady with a trolley come round serving free water and pizza!!! We also got given blankets!!! Wow - how to impress us!!! The lady even woke us when we got to our stop. A relief because we were worried as none of the train stops are announced, nor are they clearly marked outside the train (so you just have to guess!) Previously it wasn't a problem because our stops have always been the
Mutmee Gardens
The tranquil gardens of Mutmee! end of the line. This time it wasn't though. We arrived in Chumphon at 6am and went in a pick-up truck to the boat pier. Our boat to Koh Tao left at 7.30am - couldn't wait to arrive. It is the start of our 'island-hopping beach odessey' - the next stage of our travels!!!...................
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Crabsticks make me sick
Yuk karen you gross me out - crabsticks make me sick, and so do your tans and tales from the other side of the world. Sounds and looks like you're having an AMAZING time!!! (despite having to digest crabsticks!). Hope you enjoy the island-hopping! Am very jealous... this has to be the longest grimmest winter ever recorded!! Grrr....