This trip I got an invitation from Udon Thani's Tourism Authority of Thailand for visiting " Talay Bua Daeng" with a slogan " Normal days at Talay Bua Daeng ( Red Lotus Sea)" . It is located at the big marsh called Nong Han, Khum Phawa Pi district, Udon Thani. The red lotus has occurred naturally in an area over 20,000 acres.

This year the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has cooperated with Bangkok Airways in organising a Talay Bua Daeng travelling campaign. Normally, a trip from Udon Thani city to Talay Bua Daeng costs 499 Baht per person. But, if you hold Bangkok Airways boarding pass and show it to the guiding tour counter, you will only have to pay 250 Baht.

We chose an evening flight and used the lounge before boarding.

Ready !!

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The first day we arrived at Udon Thani international airport and headed to our hotel, Prachaktra Hotel beside the Prachak marsh.

We woke up at 5 am, ready to go !!

Talay Bua Daeng is ranked by CNN as one of the world's most beautiful lakes. That is the reason why there has been a high number of tourist visits this year, and is also expected to reach a million in February.

The red lotus is going to bloom from December to the end of February.

Joining the press conference " Normal days at Talay Bua Daeng" at the lake area with the Udon Thani's Deputy governor, TAT Deputy governor of domestic marketing (Mr. Anupap Thirarat), and Bangkok Airways sale director (Miss Plernpit Kosolyuttasan).

At the middle of the lake, lots of fun.

After that we went to the coffee shop owned by the famous singer Mr. Mike Phiromporn. He also exports cooked fermented fish sauce which is very famous aboard because of clean producing process and nice packaging.

Then, we had breakfast prepared by home stay women's group. They cooked papaya salad, spicy minced fish salad, and also used lotus stem for food. And of course, all menus are really tasty !!

How about you? are you ready to come to Thailand and enjoy the uniqueness of Thai tourism?. I recommend you to come at least once a year.

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We left Talay Bua Daeng and visited Ban Dung district to see salt production. This area is a community where underground water is pumped for salt farm. It is assumed that this area used to be a sea and is therefore believed that there are minerals which could be used for the salt farm, similar to coastal area in the east of the country.

They also have a foot massage service. We could fee that soaking hot water is hotter than usual because after 10 minutes passed the water was still hot. People said that it's underground mineral water and that they didn't boil it. They also make it for sale with the concept sufficiency and natural living.

They also allowed us to try salt shoveling, that's a lot of fun.

Then we headed to Ban Chiang world's heritage site where there are significant antiques such as ancient potteries displayed. These antiques have lasted for thousand years until they were approved by The Unesco.

Then we went to Udon Thani city and took a tram for seeing around the city (for those who are interested please contact municipal authorities, booking in advance). Later we visited the sacred shrine of the city where lots of local and neighbour like Laos come to worship. The number of visitors is as high as 5,000 people a day. After that we went to the museum and Thai-Chinese cultural centre.

Our party had lunch at UD Mall which is a modern shopping complex, like the Avenue in Bangkok. There are a lot of people both from local and from Laos which made it a lively atmosphere.

It's time for dinner !!

So tired today and I have to rest tonight. Tomorrow we will fight again.

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Breakfast in the hotel, done

We left the hotel and took 1.5 hours to Phu Pra Baht ้historical park in Ban Phue district. It's main attraction is legendary place called Ho Nang Usa, and traces of thousand-years old paintings.

Then we headed to Kiri Wongkot village which is an ecotourism community surrounded by greenery and beautiful mountains.

Taking a tour with the concept " sufficiency economy" with a vehicle called " E-tak". That's a lot of fun in the jungle, with small valley and river heading to waterfall and we enjoyed our lunch there. It's really an impressive trip !!.

People used natural container made from bamboo for containing soup, using as spoons and glasses. They also used banana leaves as dishes and that really enhanced the food taste. We enjoyed chicken wings, grilled fish, soup and hot sticky rice in bamboo.

At Kiri Wongkot village in Nayoong district.

For those who are interested please contact the village headman Mr.Narin, Tel 083-147-9004

It's 40 minutes with lots of fun. This is when we headed to the waterfall where we would have lunch.

Banana leaves with tools for eating.

Chicken wings and fish....oh my god

Look at how they serve soup, amazing taste with hot sticky rice in bamboo.

Would you like a glass of cold water ??

I really wanted to soak my body in the water but unfortunately we had to catch our flight in the evening.

On the way we visited a strawberry farm for a while.

It took us 2 hours to go into the city before we had dinner at the restaurant VT Naemnuang.

I was surprised by a long queue of cars waiting for ordering Namnuang back home.

The factory beside the shop, producing over 10,000 of Namnuang and send them all over the country.

And finally we arrived at the restaurant for our dinner. This is the place where everyone must visit if you come to Udon Thani.

And at the airport flying back to Bangkok with Bangkok Airways.

Thank you again TAT

#Fall in love with Thailand

#A year of Thai travelling 2015

Next trip on next weekend, let's go to Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai. See you !!