Not quite sure why the ‘powers that be’, (guess that’d be TAT – Tourism Authority of Thailand?), decided to call this region – the area where the 3 countries of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand meet – the Emerald Triangle but they have done. Yes, it very green, but then so is most of Southeast Asia!
Mekong Valley and Lao/Thai border at Pha Taem Anyway, it’s got a ring to it so we decided to call out new tour – which features the southeast reaches of Northern Thailand, the southern region of Laos and northeast section of Cambodia – the Emerald Triangle. Wi recently led the Atkinson Family from Plymouth, (if she understood correctly; Wi’s knowledge of Lao geography being, fortunately, better than that of England), on the said itinerary so here’s a few of the resulting photos. First up a selection of unusual snacks – beer nibbles we reckon – on offer in a roadside cafe in Ubon Ratchathani Province.
Some tempting nibbles! Next to the freshwater shrimp that looks like: red ants sauteed with lemongrass, silkworms, freshwater clams and some kind of unidentified beetle?
Hiking to Phu Asa On to Laos for a very atmospheric shot from Wi taken during a hike to the suitably mysterious ruins of Phu Asa near Kietngong in Champassak Province. We say mysterious since, despite several theories: a ruined 19th century Wat, fortress of a local revolting tribe or Khmer ruin, no-one actually knows at all by whom or when these odd ruins were built. They don’t look anything like any Khmer ruins we’ve ever seen and bear zero resemblance to any Buddhist Wat so they certainly are enigmatic. There are 108 stone columns laid out around a flattish natural rock area. 108 is a highly significant number in Hindu/Buddhist mythology and a figure that crops up over and over again in their respective architectural designs. (e.g. 108 towers of Phnom Bakheng at Angkor, the 108 offering jars at Wat Phu, Bangkok or the 54 heads guarding the gateways at Angkor Tom.) (Why 108, is a longish and complicated story so now’s not the time!)
View from the top of Phu Asa Anyway, the view alone is worth the climb – see above! Also taken in Kietngong, where the group stayed at the awesome Kingfisher Eco-lodge, is the below elephant riding shot.
Wetlands in Sepian National Biodiversity Area Next up are a couple of shots of Don Khone – the island amongst the 4,000 Islands which the group stayed on – and here’s a pic of the riverside chalets at the pleasant Seng Ahloune Guesthouse followed by a great sunset taken from the same guesthouse restaurant.
Accommodation on Don Khone
Sunset over the Mekong We’ll round up this brief photo post with a shot of our intrepid travellers kayaking on the mighty Mekong. Presumably in search of the Irrawaddy dolphins that inhabit the deep calm waters immediately below the great Khone Phapeang Falls.
Kayaking to Cambodia That’s all folks and thanks to Wi for the photos – cheers!
