These sandstone rock formations are called Sao Chaliang. They are mushroom-like natural wonders found in Pha Taem National Park.
- Posted from my iPhone
Archive for October, 2010
Saeng Chan Waterfall
19
Oct
These are pictures of a waterfall in Pha Taem National Park called Saeng Chan.
It is unique as it flows through a mountain tunnel to a pool below.
- Posted from my iPhone
Thung Na Muang Waterfall
19
Oct
These are pictures of a waterfall in Pha Taem National Park called
Thung Na Muang.
This is a mid-size waterfall flowing straight off a high cliff to a creek below.
On the way down we came across this giant vine twisted with age.
- Posted from my iPhone
Pha Taem National Park
19
Oct
The smallest national park in Ubon Ratchathani Province is Pha Taem on the Eastern border. It runs alongside the Mekong River and Lao PDR.
Pha Taem National Park was established in 1991. It covers an area of 140 square kilometres. The park features plateaus, undulating hills, towering cliffs and unusual sandstone rock formations.
From this viewpoint on the cliff-top you can see the mighty Mekong River below and Lao PDR beyond. The park is mainly covered by deciduous dipterocarp forest and wild flowers.
The word “Pha” means cliff and “Taem” refers to the paintings which this national is famous for. From the car park you can take a path down to the first of four galleries. The first one is only 500 meters away but to see them all you have to go a further 2.5 kms on this circular walk.
The rock paintings were only discovered about 20 years ago but they are believed to be at least 3,000 years old. There are about 300 of them and they show animals, geometrical motifs, rice farmers, hand prints and traditional fish traps. It is a unique look into the way of life thousands of years ago.
The park also has a viewpoint facing West that proclaims that from this cliff-top you can be one of the first people in Thailand to see the sunset. I think you only see it 5 minutes before the people in Bangkok, but the view is beautiful anyway.
- Posted from my iPhone
Process of Making Bronzeware
19
Oct
In the morning of our second day in Ubon Ratchathani Province we went to visit the Bronzeware Group of Ban Pa-Ao.
This place is both a workshop and also a Conservation Center
for the preservation of the ancient method of wax casting. This is similar to bronzeware from Ban Chang in Udon Thanee Province.
To make the mould for small temple bells they start by making the shape with clay mixed with the dung of termites.
This has to be dried first and then this is covered with candle wax.
The next step is to smooth the wax and then put a design on it with a sharp tool and also stamps.
When this is dry, it is then covered with a softer clay which copies the design from the wax.
This is how it looks when finished. Two pieces of wax are sticking out of the bottom which provide the entry point for the bronze.
This is then covered with a harder clay which is mixed with rice husk. Again this is left to dry and harden. Next this is put in a fire where the wax is melted and escapes through a small hole. This is then cleaned out before the bronze is poured in.
This is a picture of the finished product in their shop. This small bell sells for 200 baht. The whole process takes 10-15 days. A bigger temple bell can take 3-4 months to make. Anyone can come and visit this place but most visit on tours.
- Posted from my iPhone
Eating Isaan Food 02
18
Oct
Lunch today was eaten on a raft on the Mekong River.
This restaurant is called Pae Araya in Khong Chiam District of Ubon Ratchathani Province. The hills on the other side of the river are in Laos.
Pla Kang Luak
Pad Pet Pla Meuk
Kanah Pla Kem
Moo Tod Krathiam Prik Tai
Pla Nua On Tod Krathiam Prik Tai
Tom Yam Hed Nang Fah Gung
- Posted from my iPhone
300 Year Old Boat
18
Oct
Near Wat Sinuan Saeng Arom, in Amphoe Khueang Nai in Ubon Ratchathani Province, we found an old boat behind some temple buildings. The temple here doesn’t really have a name but shares the same abbot.
This old boat was discovered by villagers about 17 years ago in a village about 6 kilometres from the temple. It was dug up and donated to this temple where it has become something of a shrine.
The boat is believed to be more than 300 years old. It is 24 meters long and 2.7 meters wide. About 13 years later they found another large boat nearby but it was too badly damaged to be excavated.
The following two pictures show some of the buildings in this temple complex.
- Posted from my iPhone
Lion Buddhist Pulpit
18
Oct
Wat Sinuan Saeng Sawang Arom is an old temple located in Amphoe Khueang about 26 kilometres from downtown Ubon Ratchathani.
The temple was named after a woman called Sinuan who donated some of her land for the temple’s expansion. The words “Saeng Sawang Arom”, meaning “the light of emotion” were added later.
In the sala can be found this unique Annamese Lion Pulpit. The abbot would sit in this pulpit on the back of a concrete lion and give his sermon.
The pulpit was built in 1925 by Vietnamese craftsmen. Some of the figures around the pulpit are the craftsman’s family.
The decorative stucco is very beautiful though the artwork is now fading. The pulpit hasn’t been used for about 20 years. It is now protected and there are restrictions on renovation.
To go there by car from Ubon, take Highway 23 and then 2412. The village is 5 kilometres off the main road, on the left.
- Posted from my iPhone
Eating Isaan Food
17
Oct
One of the best things about travelling in a new region is tasting the food. Isaan is no exception. This is our meal at lunchtime today at Samchai Gai Yang in Ubon Ratchathani.
This dish was my favourite. It is Au Nor Mai Pla which is a Fish and bamboo shoots coconut curry.
This one is Tom Sap Pla Kang, which is a spicy fish soup.
This is of course Gai Yang which is grilled chicken. This is popular in Bangkok too.
The next dish is also popular in Bangkok mainly because of so many Isaan workers there. It is Som Tam Thai.
This is a common dish every where. It is a plain soup called Gaeng Jeut Tao Hoo Moo Sap.
This is the popular Isaan style sausages.
This final dish is Laab Ped which is a spicy salad with duck. I will add Thai names to this when I get back. I’m writing this on my iPhone and it isn’t easy.
- Posted from my iPhone
Carved Candle Sculpture
17
Oct
For three days I’m visiting Ubon Ratchathani in the lower northeast of Thailand. It is 629 kilometres from Bangkok. The border to the East is the Mekong River and Laos.
One of the things that Ubon is famous for is the Candle Festival marking the start of the three month Buddhist Retreat.
In my local community they give 2 meter high candles to the monks which they will keep alight for the three months. They sometimes decorate them with fake flowers.
However, some cities in Isaan are famous for their intricate wax carvings. They have parades through the cities and some candle sculptures are huge.
In a park called Thung Si Mueang, near the Provincial Hall in Ubon, they have a concrete replica of the candle sculptures. Hopeful one day I can come here to see the Candle Festival for myself. I’m sure it is beautiful.
- Posted from my iPhone
Vegetarian Festival Parade
17
Oct
A few hours ago I was taking pictures of the Vegetarian Parade and now I’m sitting on a Thai Airways flight heading to Ubon Ratchathani.
The parade early this morning marked the end of the ten day Vegetarian Festival. For the past three years I have been taking part by eating a strict vegan diet. You can see pictures of the food that I ate over at my food blog www.EnjoyThaiFood.com
The early morning ceremony was for sending the nine Chinese Gods back to heaven after they had been walking the Earth the past ten days. During this time people have to be good, not slaughter any animals or eat meat.
During this ceremony in Samut Prakan this morning they also floated a massive “Krathong” on the Chao Phraya River. Worshippers, wearing white, threw lotus flowers onto the makeshift raft before it was towed out into the middle of the river and set alight.
As soon this was over the main parade through the city started with long dancing dragons and marching bands. In front of the City Pillar shrine the dragons paid respect to the spirits and put on a performance. I have already posted my photo album over at www.paknamphotos.com/vegetarian_2010
- Posted from my iPhone
better than KFC and McDonalds lol but the name...