A Little Adventure in Udon Thani: Kiree Wongkot, Riding an E-Taek, and Exploring Isaan (June 30 - July 1, 2018)

*** Khao Wongkot 2 Days 1 Night ***

Embracing the Slow Life in Isan: A Journey Through Kiree Wongkot Village

Escape the urban chaos and immerse yourself in the tranquil embrace of Isan life at Kiree Wongkot Village, nestled in the heart of Na Yung District, Udon Thani Province. Join the locals on an unforgettable adventure, traversing the scenic landscapes aboard a traditional "e-taek" truck, navigating the exhilarating rapids of a whitewater rafting experience. Savor the authentic flavors of "khao pa," a rustic Isan dish, and unwind in the cozy comfort of a local homestay. Leave behind the frenetic pace of city life and embrace the serenity of a slower pace, immersing yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Isan.

Nestled amidst the mountains, Khiriwongkot village welcomes visitors to experience its eco-tourism initiatives. Immerse yourself in the simple lifestyle of the locals and contribute to community development. Join us as we explore Khiriwongkot and the wonders of Udon Thani province.

Our journey is a learning experience, and through this learning, we gain understanding.

On June 29, 2018, we departed from Mo Chit-Udon Thani (Old Bus Terminal) by tour bus. Our trip leader took care of booking the tickets for us. Let's go!

We arrived at the Old Bus Terminal in Udon Thani Province (opposite Central) around 6:00 AM. We took a tuk-tuk to the van terminal at Rangsit Market (the meeting point for our trip members) to travel to the Nam Som District Bus Terminal. A local villager will pick us up and take us to Kiriwongkot Village.

The journey to Ban Nam Som Bus Terminal takes approximately 1.5 hours by van. Upon arrival, a representative from the village will be waiting to escort you. The subsequent trip to the village via pickup truck takes an additional 45 minutes.

For this trip, our trip leader was the contact person for Teacher Jaew Poratipa (the teacher was the one who contacted the village car to pick us up).

The roadside view is dominated by mountains and rice paddies, awash in vibrant green hues, offering a refreshing and invigorating sight.

The atmosphere here reminds me of my trip to Chiang Mai. It brings back fond memories.

We have arrived at Kiree Wongkot Village.

Our driver will take us to the tourist office, where we will board a pickup truck to reach our accommodation. After dropping off our belongings, we will prepare for whitewater rafting on the pickup truck. The weather here is sunny and hot during the day.

It's time for some fun! Riding an "e-taek" (a type of Thai vehicle) to eat at a waterfall. Judging from the path, the driver must be quite skilled. The passengers are having a blast. It's a different kind of fun.

During the whitewater rafting trip, we encountered another group with many attractive women. Some of our members even expressed a desire to switch boats.

This couple is so adorable, I'm not jealous at all (said in a very high-pitched voice).

While waiting for our food, we took some photos. The water wasn't clear, but it was very cold. We didn't swim, but we dipped our feet in the water, which was refreshing.

Today's Menu: A Culinary Journey

Today's menu boasts a delectable array of dishes, including sticky rice, spicy papaya salad, grilled chicken, grilled fish, banana blossom curry, and a refreshing pineapple dessert. The flavors were exceptional, and the portions were generous. The highlight for me was the banana blossom curry, which possessed a rich and complex flavor that tantalized my taste buds.

Freshly made food.

The bamboo shoot sour curry is truly exceptional.

The cup and spoon are made of bamboo and can be taken home. We will keep the cup.

To be continued. Please stay tuned for the next episode. *---*

The food was delicious. We were full and sleepy afterwards.

Our group did not play in the waterfall, so we discussed returning to the guesthouse and finding a place to take pictures. We agreed that we wanted to go rice planting, so the trip leader informed Teacher Jaew's team. They arranged it for us, which was not part of the original program.

To help or to be a burden? Hehe.

On the way back, we stopped by to see the weaving and the making of "khao pun" (rice noodles).

Take photos while waiting for the auspicious ceremony in the evening.

The Bai Sri ceremony is a significant ritual in Isan culture, symbolizing the offering of blessings and good fortune. The centerpiece of the ceremony is the Bai Sri, a multi-tiered offering tray made from banana leaves, resembling a lotus flower. The number of tiers varies, typically ranging from three to nine, with a central pillar supporting the structure. Various offerings are placed on the Bai Sri, including boiled eggs, symbolizing the spirit of life. The ceremony serves as a means to invoke blessings and strengthen the spirit, promoting well-being and prosperity.

Following the ceremony, there was a performance by the students.

After the performance, we gathered to eat and prepare for bed, as we had to wake up early the next morning to offer food to the monks.

July 1, 2018. Start the new day by waking up early to offer food to the monks. Teacher Jaew has prepared a set of offerings for you. The morning air here is cool with a little fog, but it gets very hot during the day. After offering food to the monks, have breakfast prepared by the teacher. Pack your belongings and prepare for the return trip. On the way back, we agreed with the driver who will take us to the bus station in Nam Som to stop by Wat Pa Phu Gorn (this program is free of charge).

The Phukon Forest Monastery is located within the Phu Nang and Nam Som National Forest Reserves, in Na Kham Village, Ban Kong Subdistrict, Na Yung District, Udon Thani Province. The monastery houses a relic of the Buddha enshrined in the Phra Rues Rung Roj Si Burapha statue, which is the main presiding image in front of the Phra Pathom Rattanaburapha Jariya Maha Chedi. The monastery also features the Lokanath Sasada Mahamuni reclining Buddha statue, a white marble statue measuring 20 meters in length.

Walk around the left side three times before bowing.

After paying respects at the temple, we continued our journey to the Nam Som Bus Terminal to catch a van to the Old Udon Thani Bus Terminal. At this point, we decided to split up, but agreed to meet up again later. The "Yellow Duck Team" decided to go see the giant yellow duck at Nong Prajak and visit the city pillar shrine for good luck. We took a tuk-tuk from the Old Bus Terminal to Nong Prajak, which cost 30 baht per person for a round trip. The driver dropped us off and when it was time to leave, we called him to pick us up at the agreed-upon location.

Let's go!

We stopped by RELAX STEAK for dinner. The food was delicious, and the prices were reasonable. We each ordered a main course and shared a mixed salad and a fruit salad. The total bill came to around 700 baht.

The sun is very strong here. If you come in the late afternoon, the photos will probably be more beautiful than during the day.

After taking photos, we walked through a shortcut to the temple behind the city. We bought a set of flowers for 30 baht each. Incense and candles were donated as desired.

There are a total of 3 points where you must pay respects.

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Point 1.

Point 2

Point 3

After paying our respects, we rested for a while before splitting up into two groups: the airplane team and the bus team.

This trip was filled with warmth and new friendships. The kindness shown by both fellow travelers and locals is deeply appreciated. Thank you to everyone who joined this trip. Traveling is like investing in oneself. During our journey, we encountered diverse people, experienced local cultures, and discovered new things. It adds color to our lives. Try traveling, and you will find that happiness is not far away.

Summary of expenses

Bus fare from Mo Chit to Udon Thani Bus Terminal is 409 baht per person.

The fare for a tuk-tuk to the Rangsit Market van terminal is 30 baht per person, or 60 baht for a round trip.

The fare for a van to the Northern Bus Terminal is 100 baht per person, or 200 baht for a round trip.

Roundtrip village car fare (600 / 10) = 60 baht per person

Accommodation cost including activities and 3 meals (9000/10) = 900 baht/person.

The cost of a tuk-tuk to Nong Prajak and the airport is 30+40 = 70 baht per person.

The cost of a flight from Udon Thani to Suvarnabhumi Airport is 1050 baht per person.

Approximately 2749 Baht

Contact information for Teacher Jaew is shown in the image below. The teacher and villagers are all very friendly and welcoming.