You will read about such places in travel guide books and brochures. A travel agent will have a list of places that will make your visit the best ever. If you go to San Francisco it might be Fishermans Wharf. If you visit London you must experience Eye on London. If you travel to China the Forbidden City or the Great Wall are mandatory.

When you travel to Ubon Ratchathani it is  no exception. There are places you really must go see for yourself. I have compiled a list, which is in no way comprehensive, based on my experience, input from the locals and feedback from visitors.

1. Ubon Ratchathani National Museum – Displays of artwork, crafts and historical items reflecting life and culture in this area. It is located at the south end of Tung Sri Muang park.
2. Pha Taem National Park – This is located over yonder in Khong Jiam district. Make sure you take your walking shoes to hike down the edge of a cliff to view pre-historic drawings on the face. The route is at least 3 kilometers.
3. Huai Luang Waterfall – One of the best waterfalls I have seen in Thailand.  You will find this spectacle in the southeast region of the province. It is well worth all the steps you have to ascend when you are leaving.
4. 2 Color River – This is in Khong Jiam where the Mekong and Mun rivers meet. One is brown and one is green, or is it blue and green. I guess you will have to go see for yourself. You can also walk along the river, go watch the sunrise  or enjoy a nice lunch on one of the floating restaurants.
5. Sam Pan Bok – It will give you the impression you have stepped onto the lunar surface or at least on to a sci-fi movie set. A most interesting creation of nature. Best time to go is January to June.
6. Sedhapura by Tohsang – Go here and pamper yourself. You deserve it. A luxury pool villa on the banks of the Mekong in Khong Jiam.
7. Tung Sri Muang – Here you can take in some history, exercise, relax or socialize. It is best to go in the evening to catch all the locals meeting up. Afterward you can walk a short distance to the night market and get some dinner from the wide variety of street vendor offerings.
8. Wat Sa Prasan Suk – Just on the outskirts of Ubon city you can enjoy the peace and tranquility as well as some unique architecture. I have visited many times and make it a point to take guests there and never tire of visiting.
9. Gaeng Saphue - East of Ubon city around 45 Kilometers. There is a park on Mun River.  It is a great place for an afternoon picnic. Vendors will be hawking food which you can order and then relax on a provided mat and enjoy your lunch. After the monsoon waters have receded cataracts are revealed and make for some fun either watching or playing.
10. Had Kudua – A complex of restaurants on the  Mun River just out of town. The seating is provided on floating bamboo patios. It is enjoyable during the hot or cold season. It is not the food that makes this place special its the experience. Most of the  menus are basically the same in quality, quantity and price so the only decision to make is where do you prefer to enjoy the moment.

When you visit Ubon Ratchathani consider adding the suggestions above to your itinerary. If not all 10, at least pick a few that interest you the most and go have fun during your travels in Ubon.

This post via UbonBlog which provides valuable and useful information about: Life and Times in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand . Content you can use.

10 Ubon Ratchathani Must Visit Places

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Amnat Charoen is an hours drive to the north. It is a small province that was a district of Ubon until December 1993.

The town of Amnat is a small quiet village. If you continue north through the town you will come to Wat Dan Phra Bat. Take some time to park and look around.

You can also visit Mekhong River in Amnat Charoen. At Chanuman you will be rewarded with some beautiful scenes in certain times of the year.

Yasothon is at the northwest corner of Ubon. It too was a part of Ubon until December 1993. It is best know for the Rocket Festival held every year in May. Large rockets are launched to bring the rain to feed the rice crops.

If you are not into the lively and noisy festival you are welcome to visit Yaso anytime of the year. There are many temples in both Khmer and Lao style that you can visit and explore.

Sisaket lies to the west of Ubon. It is known for its Khmer style sanctuaries scattered around the province. If you want to learn more about the place, my friend over at Thai Pulse just published an informative article about Sisaket on his blog.

You can also travel to Laos from Ubon. Head on down to Chong Mek and you can cross over for a bit of shopping and a meal, getting a visa exemption or onward travel. There is a bus from Ubon city that goes all the way to Pakse in Laos.

This has been an overview of Ubon Ratchathani’s neighbors. If you travel to Ubon you can plan a nice day trip to any of these locations. If you are traveling to any of these destinations and want to fly you must fly into Ubon and complete your journey overland. You can travel to Sisaket by  train or bus from Bangkok without actually coming all the way to Ubon. There are also buses to Yaso and Amnat but by train you would have to get off in Ubon and finish by other means.

This post via UbonBlog which provides valuable and useful information about: Life and Times in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand . Content you can use.

Ubon Ratchathani Neighbors

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I recovered and re-hydrated so it was back on the road again. Luckily I had brought an extra shirt and changed the one that was drenched with sweat and mist. The open windows were much more help to dry out then the car’s air-con.

The next stop is Gaeng Lam Duan not far from the point known as the Emerald Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Cambodia meet, halfway between Na Ja Luay and Nam Yuen. I wanted to visit Emerald Triangle but it was impossible due to political issues.

Gaeng Lam Duan is billed as “Unseen In Thailand“. It is famous for what they call “Parading Shrimp”. At this point hordes of crustaceans, some type of freshwater shrimp or maybe what they call crawdads in Louisiana. It would be a sight to behold no doubt.

The only similar phenomenon I can recall is the running of the grunion in San Diego, California or maybe the salmon making a journey back to the place of their birth up the rivers of Alaska or the Pacific Northwest. The salmon’s journey is the final act of their lives to lay and fertilize eggs to continue the cycle of life.

The “waterfall” itself is more just a water flow than a water fall. I couldn’t find any actual falls there. It was interesting though. Walking down to the water a group of three Thais offered big smiles as a greeting.

I group of 10 Thai teenage boys darted past and made their way into the current. Their goal was to do a short body surf in an exceptionally swift run between some boulders. It looked like fun.

As we explore the site, a ranger appeared and stood at a distance as though he was an overseer. I tried to ignore him and go about my business enjoying the day. I found a place to sit and soak my feet in the fast running water before moving on.

There are some large element shaped rocks laying out in the water. The way lines had been formed in the surface resembled scales of a crocodile or some other reptile. Interesting artwork. I walked past the ranger who was accompanying me and noticed a badge on his uniform. I recognized it as Thai Jump Wings. I asked him if he earned that badge at Kai Erawan in Lop Buri, Thailand. The look on his face let me know he was pleasantly surprised. He didn’t expect the farang standing before him to know about this.

For that moment in time we were brothers. Connecting on fact that we had shared an experience, though at different times. Is this evidence to support the 6 degrees of separation rule?

The big event begins happening at around 7pm as darkness is falling. If you want to enjoy the show it is best to find nearby accommodations to avoid a long drive back to wherever you live or are staying. This, for me, was just a recon for future trips. So the phenomenon of the Parading Shrimp making their way upstream for a mating orgy is still unseen.

I was leaving making my way to pit stop before heading out again. I heard a voice say, “Hello”. When I turned in the direction of the sound it had come from a lovely young lady, whose face was now red with an embarrassed grin on her face. She then giggled a few times and pointed toward Gaeng Lam Duan. Her male companion had no reaction, just looked at me. I thought hey don’t look at me. I am an innocent bystander just walking and minding my own business. Ah what a country. Never a dull moment.

From the land of Parading Shrimp the plan was to pass through Nam Yuen and stop in Det Udom for dinner. There was a vote for Khao Tom so we thought would have to drive around to search for one. But lady luck was with us. As we turned north onto Highway 2191 there on the opposite side was Chok Dee Khao Tom restaurant.

Another great meal sitting in the fading light under blue skies. Thinking back over the day I had to smile. In my head I was hearing what I heard and read many time, “Ubon is boring. What is there to do in Ubon?”. I was coming to the end of a satisfying and fulfilling day in Ubon Ratchathani. It don’t get much better than this.

Much of the drive back to Ubon city was cloaked in darkness. When it started getting bright we were close to Ubon Ratchathani University. The lights were coming from the many food vendors whose shops sprouted recently in order to provide meals to the increasing university student population. It is quickly becoming a thriving community on the outskirts of Warin Champrap, in Ubon Ratchathani.

Thus ends another Ubon Ratchathani adventure. It was a day filled with natural beauty, interaction with locals, good food, great experience and great company. I hope it will inspire you to get out and see what surrounds you. Be a traveler not a tourist, experience, don’t just observe.

Happy travels in the midst of the people and natural wonders of Ubon Ratchahani, Thailand. Create your own tale of three waterfalls in Ubon.

This post via UbonBlog which provides valuable and useful information about: Life and Times in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand . Content you can use.

A Tale of 3 Waterfalls Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand Part 3

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

formerly (Buk Taew)

We made our way to Na Ja Luay on the second leg of the journey. It was my first time visiting here. It is a small place divided by the highway heading south.

It was getting to be noonish and time to find a suitable place for lunch. It turned out to be vendor just opposite a large field with a playground and sport courts. Maybe a park or a school yard. At the moment it was only used as a diner by some local cattle who were multi-tasking, eating and cutting the grass.

Sitting in the open air enjoying a good meal, good conversation and observing the world around is a thing I love about Thailand. In that setting it is much easier to get a feel of the place and its people. I asked if they had a cold Chang beer in a can and got no for a reply. Before I could locate a shop to buy it myself the vendor scurried off and returned a minute later with the object of my desire. What a country!

With a full stomach and my thirst quenched by a cold beer, we headed out of town. The road is dotted by small overnight resorts for the out of town visitors who don’t want to come and go in a single day. This was good evidence that a popular attraction is nearby.

The road to Nam Tok Huai Luang was easy to find as there were markings and signs along the way. In a short few minutes we were stopped at the security gate. A sign gave notice of entrance fees.

I whipped out my Thai drivers license and was given the Thai fee of 20 Baht. I found out this could be done totally by accident. On a trip to Erawan Waterfall outside of Kanchanaburi city the bus stopped at the security gate. Two park rangers boarded to bus to accept the fees. When the female ranger came to me I handed her my Thai drivers license and said in Thai, “ben khon Thai”. I did it jokingly but was surprised when she charged me the local fee.

I also learned from the rangers at the gate that fees for foreigners had been reduced from 200TB to 100TB and that the ticket is good for any and all national parks but only on the date of purchase.

Rolling slowly past the gate and into the park we passed a large open area. There was a large group of students getting a brief about the camp they would be participating in. One noticed the “farang” face looking out the open car window and suddenly the brief was ignored and I found myself being stared and smiled at by at least 100 students. I couldn’t help but smile back.

We touched down at the staging area and taxied to a parking spot. There are a few vendors who offer food and drink to the captive audience, an entrance to a nature trail and the information hall that has photos and history of what you will see.

Down the first flight of stairs through a garden area you come to a vista point overlooking the treasure below. It is a great place to get a sense of why you are here and what’s in store for you at the bottom of the ravine.

My first impression was an Indiana Jones movie or something similar. It was easy to imagine that this waterfall so far below contains a hidden cave behind a veil of falling water. Covered by the water and protected by a curse, the cave contains ancient mysteries and treasures.

Following a brief interlude for a photo session we began the steep descent down the narrow staircase. Mini waterfalls were dripping from the face of the cliff walls creating rain.

The sound alerts you to the waterfall before it ever comes into view. Then you feel the cool mist and see the fall from the side. The fist thing I noticed was the water striking the large boulders at the base iced the dark rocks with white foam. It resembles snow, ice or frosted chocolate cupcake. Nature does it best.

Standing knee deep in water looking up at the might and beauty I got the message that nothing man can do will ever compete with the glories of nature. A show of power, water to swim in, a large strategically place boulder to swim to and sit close enough to enjoy the mist and feel the power.

A narrow sandy beach made available to sit and relax on while taking it all in. Back in the water a new experience. I recently learned about fish spas. A unique spa that has you place your feet in a tank full of fish that clean your feet for you. I was now getting this same treatment for free in this isolated pool of water. A school of fish gather around my feet. It mostly tickled but some of the fish had teeth.

Down a hundred meters or so was a lesser waterfall. Nature had created and waterside bench to sit and rest. A place to watch the water flow by totally oblivious to my gaze. It went about it’s long journey as though I wasn’t there. A lesson in total focus that I could use many times in my own journey.

Time had come to end this part of the day’s adventure. I made my way back to the main area where many people were swimming, laughing, photographing, sitting and enjoying the moment. One last mind photograph and turned towards the price to pay for playing.

Before me lay the steps to the top. It looked much different looking up then it did on the trip to the bottom. It was definitely a formidable opponent. Step by step I inched my way upward. Gravity was not my friend. My lungs began screaming as did the muscles in my legs. I got passed by some teenage boys showing off.

I finally reached the top and occupied the nearest bench, slowly silencing my lungs and muscles. I now knew why some couples only viewed the waterfall for the top vista point. I was also made to feel better by seeing those teenage boys gasping for air nearby. I also noticed a large number of youth in the early to mid 20′s doing the same. Hey I didn’t do as bad as I thought.

In the end I will have to say the return on the price I had to pay was well worth it and would gladly pay the same price again.

This post via UbonBlog which provides valuable and useful information about: Life and Times in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand . Content you can use.

A Tale of 3 Waterfalls Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand Part 2

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The rental car from Chow Wattana (Wattana Rental) arrived at 09:55 A.M.. After a quick check to make sure the residence was safe and secure, I locked the gate, hopped in the car, shut the door and our New Year 2009 Khong Jiam Mekhong adventure officially began.

I love driving but for the past eight years I have, by choice, not owned a car. I have managed quite well without one. When I need it I use buses, trains, planes, bicycles, motorcycles, public transportation and rental cars, with and without driver.

This was a time for a rental car, with driver. I wanted to be free to take in the scenery during the journey. We headed north on Chayangkul Road to the intersection of Highway 212 and Highway 231 (Ring Road) and turned East by South East.

We were looking for the road to Tan Sum which eventually becomes Highway 2364. There were two reasons for taking this route, one I have never been down this road before and I wanted to determine the location of a certain temple.

During the Christmas celebration at Suan Loong Daeng I met someone who is doing research on the interesting story of Wat Pak Nam. I wanted to get eyes on it so I could pursue a story about it in the near future.

It never ceases to amaze me how, a few kilometers out of town you seem to pass through an invisible time warp. It could be 30 to 40 years ago and I imagine it looked much the same as it does today. The only thing to really keep it in the present are the red TrueVision/UBC satellite dish antennas attached to wobbly looking wooden structures with corrugated tin roofs.

Numerous Thai Buddhist Temples dotted the landscape. Though they are less bright and ornamental then the temples in town the appear to be the center of the rural communities. Many things seemed incongruous with the side of a highway but I suspect they were there long before the paved road we were driving on was built.

A wonderful thing about taking a road never traveled before is the opportunity to discover places for future exploration and adventure. Besides Wat Pak Nam this route also passes by the way to Had Sripirom which is a location for sunny warm afternoon picnic on Mun River.

After what seemed like too short a time I recognized Wat Tam Khuha Sawan, that might be called the gateway to Khong Jiam. It sits on a plateau overlooking and maybe offering protection to the mighty Mekong on it’s journey southward far below. Little did I know this temple would be the focus of an accidental adventure the next day.

Ninety minutes after take off we touched down at Tohsang Khong Jiam Resort. Our room was not ready yet so after our bags were secured behind the front desk a bit of exploring was in order. Our recon began passing the swimming pool in which a flotilla of fallen leaves were sailing upon. Out on the deck beside the pool providing outdoor scenic dining tables we were able to enjoy a great view of the Mekong.

From the vantage point it was easy to see where the staff was already setting up the site for tomorrow’s festivities. Directly below the deck a sign had been erected with a lighted message wishing us a Happy New Year 2009 in both Thai and English.

A vegetation lined path beckoned leading passed the restaurant, passed the gift shop, passed the spa, passed the individual bungalow rooms to a stair leading down to the river. At the base of the stairs was the place we would bring in the New Year tomorrow. It was an area that is covered by the depths of the river during the height of monsoon season but now had been abandoned by the receding waters to create a new identity and character.

Sand and rocks, at other times covered by water that might have began it’s journey to the delta and South China Sea, gave access far out into the former riverbed. On the opposite bank lay a small Laotian village, it looked as though one could wade across to Laos but I was not feeling brave enough to test that thought. I confined myself to enjoying the Thai side.

The Happy New Year sign we had seen from the deck above was built above several large boulders. Since I didn’t conquer crossing the river I climbed upon nature’s platform and was feeling as though I had reached the summit of Everest. I had worked up an appetite so the decision was made, it’s time for lunch.

Sitting on the deck at a nice table with a panoramic view I ordered a Chang beer and looked through the menu. Since I am a connoisseur of fine cheeseburgers there was no question what my order would be when I spotted one on the menu. When the order came I noticed my burger didn’t come with an traditional bun. It was a portioned of what looked like a loaf a French bread. The cheeseburger itself was a bit average but the bread the housed it was fresh, soft, sweet and seemed to melt in my mouth. The bun made a potentially average cheeseburger a bit remarkable.

Our room was ready. It is located on the second floor on the end of the first section. The great thing about end rooms is they offer a veranda with deck chairs. You can sit out in the environment taking in the masterpiece nature has painted for us to enjoy.

A new way to begin the ending of 2008 and prepare to welcome 2009 on the banks of Mekong River at Tohsang Khong Jiam Resort in the far eastern portion of Thailand and the province of Ubon Ratchathani.

This post via UbonBlog which provides valuable and useful information about: Life and Times in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand . Content you can use.

Ubon New Year Tohsang Khong Jiam Part 1

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

That was also when I first saw Gaeng Saphue on the Mun River. During June to December it looks like a normal flowing river. Then as the rainy season comes to a close and the waters begin receding large rocks peek their heads from the rivers depths as though emerging from hibernation.

During this time the waters of the Mun River sing a song while dancing around the rocks. White clouds of foam appearing celebrating the union of flowing water, exposed rocks, and warm sunshine.

The shallowness creates pools that children can wade and play in safely. Fishermen can be seen near the midway point of the river hoping that big fish will go for their bait.

On the banks you will find a park like area with large towering trees providing ample shade with their branches. Behind the grassy area is a row of restaurants with representatives roaming the grounds alert for hungry visitors. You can order a good meal with them and you are provided a mat to sit on and enjoy picnic style lunch in this very natural setting with your friends or family. This is a very popular activity, especially on weekends February to June.

Pass through the picnic area and you will come upon a park. There is plenty of grass and benches here but not much shade. Mostly you will see people fishing from the bank and couples sitting talking on the benches.

If you are interested in souvenirs or snacks you will find many vendors on the street leading to the picnic area. There is also what appears to be a Chinese temple there that you can visit.

It’s a nice place to go anytime, especially for lunch. You can enjoy being out in nature with a great view while eating. There are covered restaurants so no need to be concerned about going during the rainy season. I always make it a point to go there when I have occasion to travel to Phibun Mangsahan.

To get there travel down Highway 217 out of Ubon City. When you arrive in Phibun turn left at the junction with Highway 2222. Just before you get to the bridge turn right and in less than 1km you will be there. If you take a bus from Warin or Ubon you must take a tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi to Gaeng Saphue. Or if it’s a nice day and you feel like a walk it’s not too far.

This post via UbonBlog which provides valuable and useful information about: Life and Times in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand . Content you can use.

Visit Gaeng Saphue in Ubon Ratchatani

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.