Uthai Thani - Cyber Waterfall

This waterfall has alternative spellings. I am not sure why "Cyber" seems to be the spelling most frequently used on the Net as it seems very "un-Thai" to me. At the park ranger station, there is a sign offering a much more correct transliteration.

You can call me Cyber

Anyway, the waterfall is located in the Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary. One can park near the ranger station and must then trek roughly three kilometers in lush forest before reaching the waterfall.

Sai Bor is actually not an impressive waterfall, but it is a case of "it is not the destination, but the journey" as the trek provides views and sights that make it worthwhile.

More information can be found at:

http://www.huaikhakhaeng.net/

Uthai Thani - Huai Khun Kaeo Reservoir

This reservoir in Huai Khot district is your typical run-of-the-mill reservoir. But on an island connected to the mainland by a causeway, there is a small spring that sprouts up to the surface: Ban Samo Thong Hot Spring. The water is clear (although with the aroma of sulfur) and has been put to good use.

The Royal Irrigation Department did some landscaping on the small island to create a rest area for visitors. Huts with mineral baths and a swimming pool with view of the reservoir are available for tourists.

Small bungalows can be rented for those who want quiet evenings / nights on the edge of a reservoir. I enjoyed my stay there and can recommend that you give it a try.

On your way to the Ban Samo Thong Hot Spring, you are likely to pass through Ban Rai. I did and I noticed some signs to caves and to an "old tree". I decided to take a look and as I got closer to the tree, the signs indicated different ages for the tree. I don't know which estimate is correct, but the tree is apparently between 250 and 400 years old.

Whatever the tree's real age is, it is impressive, but it is not worth a major detour to see the tree. Because once you get there, there is nothing else. You (and the tree) are in a small patch of forest surrounded by younger trees, and that's pretty much it.

Uthai Thani - Phathang Temple

This small village temple has an impressive Buddha statue located less than one kilometer of the main road.

On the way to the temple, you will pass the "ancient weaving cloth center" (an OTOP initiative) where you can buy over-priced hand-woven products.

Uthai Thani - Thung Yai Naresuan – Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary

The Thung Yai Naresuan – Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1991.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/591

It covers 5,775 square kilometers across three provinces: Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi; and Tak. It is the largest connected conserved forest in Thailand and the South East Asia Region. To me, the important aspects of this national park is that it really is a sanctuary for wildlife (public access is more restricted than in normal national parks) and that it is so solely due to the work and sacrifice of one individual.

Visitors to the wildlife sanctuary are restricted to three relatively small areas. There are nature study routes (trekking) where one can enjoy flora and fauna. The national park area is so huge that one can only get to experience a tiny part of it. Today, it is a popular destination for groups of off-road enthusiasts who don't come to appreciate nature but to tear through the forest in their 4x4.

At the headquarters of the wildlife sanctuary, there is a statue of Seub Nakhasathien, the man who valiantly fought to preserve what remained of Thailand's forests. He was head of the sanctuary for eight months until he was overcome with despair over the obstacles he faced.

Seub Nakhasathien

 He is quoted as having said: "Personally, I'd rather do conservation research than focus entirely on trying to catch poachers and loggers. The people we catch in the forest are just the workers, not the masterminds. Those who are really responsible, the influential people who arrange and gain all the benefits from the illegal forest activity are never caught. The legal process doesn't apply to them."

For more info on this amazing person:  http://www.seub.or.th/

Near the headquarters, there is a memorial for the park rangers that have been killed while patrolling the wildlife sanctuary. Like khun Seub, these rangers paid the ultimate price in the fight against poaching and illegal logging.

Nong Khai - Si Chiang Mai

Sala Keo Kou is at the provincial capital

http://tinamue.blogspot.com/2013/02/nongkhai-sala-keo-kou.html

Water is not falling

I went 80+ km to the west of Sala Keo Kou to explore a couple of waterfalls - Tan Tip & Tan Thong or Than Thip & Than Thong depending on how you transliterate their Thai names into English. However, since my visit was during the dry season, there was almost no water, so that was a waste of time.

Mekong at Hin Mak Peng

However, Si Chiang Mai is nearby - roughly 65 km to the west of Nong Khai city. The town is located on the banks of Mekong, just opposite Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR. Its name is derived from Chiang Mai as the Lan Xiang king that founded Si Chiang Mai had a grandmother who was queen of Chiang Mai.

Vientiane at night

That origin of the name is rather irrelevant today, but the location gives for some great nighttime views across the river of Vientiane's lights. So, it is very nice to have dinner at one of the many basic restaurants along the river.

Chedi with the remains of Luangphu Thet

A once famous temple is located bit west of Si Chiang Mai. Wat Hin Mak Peng became the permanent base of Ajarn Thet Thetrangsi from 1977. Before that, he had been a "homeless monk" wandering through the rural areas of Thailand. At that time, Wat Hin Mak Peng was at a very remote location, but Luangphu Thet gained a large following as a master of meditation and teacher in the "forest tradition" (khammatthana) of Theravada Buddhism. He gained such a reputation that he on several occasions were visited by members of the Thai royal family, including by HRH King Bhumibol. Luangphu Thet died in 1994, but the temple is worth a visit. The temple grounds are large and with plenty of trees to provide shade and the temple area is adjacent to the Mekong River.

Wat Hin Mak Peng seen from the river

The Mekong River is in itself an attraction. Nong Khai being so far away from the sea, the river banks serve as beaches and locals also engage in fishing.

In the photo, the guys in blue and orange shirts are holding the two ends of a net they've dragged out into and along the river. They are now about to bring the ends together onshore to collect their catch.

Ubon Ratchathani - Sirindhorn Dam

Ubon is more than waterfalls, two-colored river, and caveman art. Ubon also has beaches. The most popular ones are along the banks of the reservoir formed behind the Sirindhorn Dam.

Ice cream anyone?

One grabs a space in one of the floating "houses" and settles down for some great food, a swim in the reservoir, and a tour on the banana boat. If you want, the ice cream man will bring you refreshments.

Ubon Ratchathani - Pha Taem (Part 4)

Caveman Art

I visited Pha Taem before

http://tinamue.blogspot.com/2010/03/ubon-ratchathani-pha-taem-part-1.html

Back then, I did not think much about that the pre-historic rock paintings were done by cavemen 3-4,000 years ago. However, during my second visit, it hit me that 3-4,000 years ago is not that pre-historic. Ancient Greece was in fact quite developed at that time (the first Olympic games were held 776 BC). Although the exact time when Neanderthals became extinct is disputed, it is around 30,000 years ago rather than 3,000 years ago. Seen in that light, the cavemen art at Pha Taem became somewhat of a puzzle to me.

The View is Still Great

This time, I also ventured to Chanai Dai cliff. As was the case during my first visit, the trip turned out to be an adventure.

http://tinamue.blogspot.com/2010/03/ubon-ratchathani-pha-taem-part-2.html

This time, the adventure was weather induced. Roughly half-way across the dozen or so kilometers one has to drive off-road to get to the cliff, the gates of heaven opened and torrents of rain poured down. The off-road (across rocky surface) turns into a narrow track leading through a forest the last couple of kilometers before the ranger station. The rain water took the path of least resistance, which was that track. Driving, there was no way of knowing how deep the water was or whether parts of the track had been washed away.

Game Over - time to make a U-turn

However, with due care and 4WD, I made it to the ranger station. But then, it was game over. It was clear that although the rain had slowed down, the water flowed at ever higher speed. I made a U-turn before reaching the cliff to get out of the forest quickly rather than risk being stuck.