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Lily Restaurant On The Pond Ubon Ratchathani

January 25th, 2010 · ubon restaurants

lily restaurant ubon

This identifies Lily Restaurant

Maybe you’ve been out to Huai Wang Nong, a man-made pond just  east of Ubon Ratchathani airport.  Not long ago it was mostly deserted but now it is home to an ever increasing number of restaurants, resorts and homes.

Lily On The Pond

One of the newest eateries is Lily Restaurant and Bar. A prodigal daughter of Ubon and her Swedish husband return to Isaan after 20 years away. Most of the time was spent in Phuket but they also lived in Sweden for a few years.

lily restaurant view

Looking out from Lily

As part of their new life back in Ubon Ratchathani they decided to open a business out at Huai Wang Nong. The decision to use a new restaurant as the foundation anchoring them at home was easy, as they had operated an shop while in Phuket.

They named the new restaurant, Lily, for no reason other than they like the name. I further gave it the name, Lily On The Pond.  It is a small quiet place that has the privilege of being near the water each and every day.

What’s on the menu?

lily restaurant view again

View from table at Lily

The offerings on the menu at Lily are mostly Thai dishes. However, there are several westerner selections as well. Lily Restaurant might be the only place you can find Swedish meatballs in Ubon. Along with the meatballs you can also find Fish & Chips, Cordon Bleu, Steaks and an assortment of salads.

Lily Restaurant Ubon

Lily Fish & Chips

The promise the proprietors will make to you is you will get good food at a reasonable price. The environment will be clean and pleasant. You can enjoy the view of the pond while you enjoy your lunch or dinner with your companions.

Lily Restaurant in Ubon is open daily from 11:00 to 23:00. It is small open air structure, nicely decorated. There are tables outside as well if you prefer.

Lily Restaurant Ubon

Sweet looking bar at Lily

There is no public transportation that runs at Huai Wang Nong so when you drop by Lily you will need your own transportation or get a taxi or tuk tuk. Two songtaew lines run close but walking would be required.

I have eaten there several times and always enjoyed my meals. You should go enjoy a lunch or dinner there soon. Try out the menu and say hello to welcome some new Ubon Ratchathani residents.

Lily Restaurant and Bar Ubon Ratchathani

View of Lily from the street

Above is how you will see Lily Restaurant and Bar from the street and as you are walking up the path to enter the shop.

Map to Lily Restaurant Ubon

Where is Lily Restaurant Ubon Ratchathani

Above is a Google map of Huai Wang Nong area. You can see the satellite view is dated as there is no water in the pond yet. The location of Lily Restaurant and Bar is approximate but should help you find your way. Happy dining at one of Ubon’s newest restaurants.

UPDATE: Michael and Joy have closed Lily Restaurant and Bar temporarily for some new building construction. I was told it will be closed around 4 months. I will keep you posted as I receive new information.

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Ubon Ratchathani Can Help Haiti

January 19th, 2010 · ubon living

Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue at Montana Hotel in Port-au-Prince
Creative Commons License photo credit: simminch

We are really quite fortunate living here in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. We never have to experience anything too extreme when it comes to weather and natural disasters.

The photo above is of the Montana Hotel in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A sad sight and seeing the name makes me realize how safe we have it in Ubon. Our Montana Hotel is still standing.

We might have a few things to complain about here. Things like the traffic, the heat and humidity, the heavy rain or the lack of something we want from our past lives in other places. These things are all just inconveniences compare to what happens in other parts of the world.

We don’t have to live in fear of tsunamis, volcanoes, hurricanes, bitter deathly cold, a war zone, or earthquakes. So you see we do have a lot to be grateful for where we live.

In Haiti, others have not been so fortunate. The after affects of an earthquake has killed and torn lives apart. When seeing the devastation and reading the sad stories it moves the heart to want to help in some way.

Maybe there is no way you can go there and pitch in with your time and energy to render aide but you can give of your money. Many charitable organizations are raising funds, such as Red Cross and Unicef. If you have a Twitter account there is a thread or two dedicated to helping Haiti.

If you are able and willing it would be a great humanitarian gesture to donate something to help those less fortunate.  If nothing else say a prayer in the manner that is your belief for the survivors, victims and those there helping.

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Missing Dog in Ubon Ratchathani

January 12th, 2010 · Ubon News

(dnd media) Ubon Ratchathai, Thailand. Have you seen this dog around town? It’s home is in Warin near Ubon Rachathani University but it went missing from Tesco in Ubon.

rolothedog

The missing dog

It was Saturday, January 9, 2010. It was Children’s Day in Thailand and celebrations and events were being held in Ubon Ratchathani, just like all round Thailand. Rolo, the dog, took at trip to Tesco Lotus to pick up a few items, with her friend and companion, she knows as Master.

She decided to wait outside and enjoy the nice weather that day, sporting a trendy leash and collar ensemble. Rolo, being a warm and friendly dog enjoys peaceful surroundings and lives a quiet life. So it comes as no surprised that she was spooked when suddenly the high decible sounds of a jet engine roared overhead as it was making low level passes over Ubon as part of Children’s Day festivities. She felt she only had one option, flight. She quickly backed out of her collar and headed at break neck speed for them thar hills. Sadly, she hasn’t been seen since.

Master is heartbroken. He hasn’t slept much since Rolo went missing. They have been companions for 4 years. Master, aka Paul has been putting the word out that he would love to have Rolo back. There have been a few false leads but as of the time of this post, she still hasn’t returned home.

Paul and Rolo need your help. The very much want to be reunited. It will be greatly appreciated if you keep an eye out for Rolo and if you see her, could you contact Paul, his contact information is in the graphic below. Thanks to all.

How to contact if see Rolo.

P.S. You can see how much effort he has put into finding his canine friend. A website has been created at HelpRolo.

UPDATE: 17/01/10

Great news. I just received an email that Rolo has been found. Thanks to any and all who contributed to the happy reunion.

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Beautiful Girl, Song, Scenes From Ubon Ratchathani

January 12th, 2010 · ubon living

There are many beautiful things to be found here in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. You will experience a few of those things in the video below.

The girl is Tai Oratai, a local Ubon girl made good. She is more than just a pretty face though. As you listen and watch you will see she is also blessed with talent.

The song and music are Isaan born and bred. The music, lyrics and delivery give you a sense of what Ubon and Isaan are all about.

The location of the video is at a place known as Sam Pan Bok a Thai name meaning Three Thousand Holes. I didn’t count them when I visited, just took their word for it.

Sit back and enjoy one of the reasons, We Love Ubon.

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Ubon Ratchathani Shopping Combat Zone Alternative

December 31st, 2009 · ubon living

When I first came to Ubon Ratchathani there was no Tesco Lotus. All shopping for food items was done at the local markets, Tops (on the ground
floor of Robinson’s), Yang Song Wan, or Makro.

Then on February 8, 2000, Tesco Lotus opened on Chayangul Road to much fanfare. That day it seemed the entire population of Ubon was present on the grounds.

Since that time Lotus has served me well. It has been mostly convenient and carried most of the items I wanted or needed. All was offered at a reasonable price.

Thus began a love-hate relationship. I loved being able to go there and get most of the things on my shopping list but also hated seeing the total at the check-out.

Not long after Lotus opened Tops at Robinsons started fading and it didn’t take long for it to take its final breath. It didn’t help much that not too long after the birth of Lotus Ubon Ratchathani another child came along, Big C.

Time passed and I spent most of my shopping time and money at Lotus. But lately I have been noticing a change of feeling and attitude when I find I must go there. It has been more like entering a combat zone than a pleasant shopping experience.

I used to drive my motorcycle for a quick in and out activity. But no matter where I parked when I returned to my transportation it had been surrounded and my escape blocked. Getting out of the parking lot was like Mario trying to
cross the street. I have since taken to walking instead.

The parking lot is now occupied by hostile forces. Excessive amounts of motorcycle parking and vendors. When navigating the parking lot there is a constant threat of scuds and snipers camouflaged as scooters and autos.

The pedestrian safety zone at the entrance should be a no-fly zone but I feel like I am there for moving target practice.

Enter the store and walk along the hall it is like MIG Alley with vendor ambushes waiting for you to come along. The only way to survive is pick up the pace and stay alert.

As I make my way to the main battlefield I am constantly watching out for the armored personnel carriers that bare a striking resemblance to shopping carts. There are also the supply trains that could be easily mistaken for pallet jacks.

While on patrol for the targets I have identified I try hard to ignore the ongoing psyops (psychological operations). There is Tesco Rose, usually broadcasting from her bunker in the deli. She has lung capacity the size of Thailand and can go for five minutes on one breath. Loud and long is her battle cry.

Working in conjunction with Tesco Rose are the Bakery Boys and Tesco FM. Their strategy works. They often are able to penetrate my brain forcing me into a hasty retreat, oft times even before I complete my mission.

Another threat I have learned to look out for are the mine sweepers. The tool is made in the likeness of a dust mop and is implemented with haste and focus. Though the intent is to find hidden mines they have been known to find my combat boots.

I am jubilant when my patrol has ended and I am making my way to safety. On my way back to camp I always say a prayer of thanksgiving for
surviving yet another patrol behind enemy lines.

I got to thinking there must be a better way to restock provisions than this.

Then I remembered that City Mall and Sunee Grand Hotel had opened Fresh Mart in the rear area. When it first opened it was no much more than an oversized 7eleven. It would be a waste of time to head there for planned shopping.

That was months ago. On a recent recon I noticed that the facility had expanded. They now carry fresh produce and a a selection of fresh meats.  Be advised that the meat department though it has beef, pork, and seafood is dominated by chicken and chicken products. This is good intelligence.

A rear exit was opened and just before that entrance exit are two check-out stands. What this means is I can make my way to the rear parking lot and be a few meters away from being inside.

Once inside there are few hazards. I found I can enter, complete my mission and be out in minutes. That, in addition, to being able to drive my motorcycle there in less time than it takes to walk to Lotus are huge pluses for me.

Fresh Mart is not the universal shopping  solution but it is an alternative  place to stock up on certain provisions. You do lose some selection and some prices are higher but you gain peace of mind and have a more pleasant experience. I am always looking for ways to make living in Ubon better.

If you have had similar shopping experience or feelings when you are trying to get your shopping completed at Lotus you might want to consider Fresh Mart and give it a try. Stay alert, stay alive.

Wish all who visit and read a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year from Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.

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