Ann and her gang are back again with Ling Pler and the Gang, taking us to see Ubon Ratchathani. I don't know who coined the phrase "สาวหรือบ่าวอุบลคนโก้" (Ubon girls or guys are so cool), but it might just be a catchy rhyme. This trip, we're going to visit the house of a friend from my junior year named Taemsri, who is originally from Sri Mueang Mai district, Ubon Ratchathani province. We already have a guide to take us around (Taem just graduated with a degree in tour guiding, so this is her chance to put her knowledge to the test). However, we'll be sightseeing according to the time and weather conditions.

9 Lives on This Trip!

We're calling it "9 lives" for a reason! 😂 We flew with Thai Lion Air again, thanks to their amazing deals. Lately, we've been loving flying with the lion cub. We had to brave the Bangkok traffic on a Friday during heavy rain. Some areas near Don Mueang Airport were flooded, but… we had to make it on time, no matter what. And guess what? None of us had checked in online beforehand! 😅 If anyone missed the flight, they'd have to catch up by bus. No waiting around! 😜

I made it just in time to check in before the counter closed in 5 minutes. Phew! But there was one person who missed their flight. They decided to buy a ticket for the next flight. This is the result of not checking in online beforehand. If they had, they could have run to catch the flight even if it was 15 minutes before departure. Hehe.

Upon landing at Ubon Ratchathani Airport, Tam Sri's father picked us up. There was also another person who works in the Isan region and stopped by to surprise us. Since they wanted to hang out with us, we were naturally delighted. :)

I got in the car and rushed home. I was so hungry! Mom had been waiting for a long time to cook for me. She was also excited to have my friends over. She prepared authentic Isaan food and set up the beds, pillows, and mosquito nets. This trip was all about eating, sleeping, and experiencing a real homestay. As soon as we arrived, the food was ready, and we were all ready to dig in. Let's go!

A simple dinner with mom. She spread a mat for us to sit on and we ate sticky rice with dipping sauce. The atmosphere was so relaxing and enjoyable. ^_^

The dishes pictured below were prepared by Taem Sri's mother, Khun Mae Toi Sri. The spread includes bamboo shoot curry, mushroom chili paste (or mushroom soup), jaew chili paste, blanched spinach, and fresh boiled mushrooms. Not pictured is a fish tom yum soup. Everything was delicious, living up to Taem Sri's praise of her mother's cooking skills. We were all very full!

Too busy worrying about food, tomorrow's travel plan is still unknown. Let Taemsri take us on a tour and practice our tour guide skills at the same time. Tonight, we'll quickly arrange our sleeping arrangements and set up mosquito nets because there are a lot of mosquitoes. We'll sleep in a pile of 9 people in an area that's probably 1.5x2 meters. It's warm and cozy. Good night.... zzzzzzz

Wake up, wake up! Some people woke up early to go to the morning market to buy soy milk, deep-fried dough sticks, and grilled pork for breakfast. They also ate leftover food from the previous night to save money. After eating quickly, they started their journey. The first stop was Namtok Long Ru, or its official name, Namtok Saeng Chan, located in the Pha Taem National Park area. Namtok Long Ru is clearly visible.

No tripod, held my breath and pressed the shutter ^^ Sigh

It's like the mothership is coming to pick us up :)

There are a few cockscomb flowers. The dragonflies have raised buttocks.

Walk up to the stone platform on the waterfall, looking for the source of the water flowing down the hole.

The next waterfall, Thung Na Muang, is about 2 kilometers away. The water flows through the crevices of the rocks on a wide plateau and then cascades down as a waterfall.

There will be many waves or depressions of various sizes and shapes.

On the rocky ground, there are also meadows and small flower fields for us to explore.

You can post photos even if there are no beautiful views.

Let's continue to find the Thung Na Muang waterfall. We have to go another way where the water from the top of the rock flows down. It will be a way down to see the waterfall. There will be a giant vine, it's soooo big!

You might not be able to tell how big it is, but look at his body and his surprised face. Hehe.

Enough with the giant vines, let's go down to Tung Na Muang waterfall. The water level isn't too high, just right.

Today, I will end my trip to the waterfalls here. Time is limited, so I have to use it wisely. At first, I intended to visit Sornsawan Waterfall as well, but I think I won't have enough time. Just two waterfalls are spicy enough ^^. I couldn't find a restaurant for lunch, so I had to settle for a spicy papaya salad. I drove out of Thung Na Muang Waterfall and came across a restaurant selling papaya salad and made-to-order dishes. I stopped the car right away. The papaya salad with fermented fish sauce and the rice noodles were so sour that my mouth puckered.

After we were full, we continued to the landmark of Ubon Ratchathani province... **Pha Taem**. It took about 50 minutes to drive there. Don't forget to pay the entrance fee to the national park. We passed the Sala Chang, which is a group of rocks that look like pillars. We didn't stop there, but continued to Pha Taem. It was late afternoon when we arrived, so there weren't many tourists. We were able to take photos comfortably, and there was no sun. The sky was clear. :)

Take a picture with the sign to let everyone know you're here :)

A steep cliff with ancient paintings below, but we didn't walk down to see them (we've seen them before).

The other side is Laos.

This side is also Isan. Hehe.

The cliff has no barriers, only a warning sign.

This is a sign of the month. Please use discretion when watching. Be careful.

It is a bend in the Mekong River. Below, along the Mekong River, is Vichitra Beach, where there are resorts and camping areas.

At Pha Taem, there are miniature tour guides who are practicing. If you use their services, don't forget to pay them a small fee. We need to support them.

The first place in Siam to see the sunset, but we won't wait for the sun to set here ^__^

The next destination is Wat Sirithornwararam Phu Phrao. We will visit Wat Rueang Saeng, but on the way, we will stop to enjoy the view of Khong Chiam district at the viewpoint next to Tham Khuha Sawan temple.

This is the Khong Chiam Bridge, which crosses the Mun River before it meets the Mekong River.

From Khong Chiam to Wat Siridhorn Wararam Phu Phrao, which is located in Sirindhorn district, near the Chong Mek border crossing, following the GPS for about 43 kilometers, just in time for the sunset. The temple is located on a hill overlooking the Sirindhorn Dam. On the other side is the Chong Mek border crossing and Laos.

Inside the ordination hall

The golden front of the ordination hall, the light is about to fade.

Behind the ordination hall, the highlight of the green glow of the Kalpapruek tree painting on the wall at dusk. Due to the lack of a tripod for the camera, placing the camera on the floor resulted in this level of glow.

Another day is over. We went back home and continued to eat food cooked by Mom Toi. The menu was similar to yesterday's, with some new dishes and some leftovers that were reheated. We also celebrated the birthdays of Dad and Tam Sri, whose ages are almost the same. Haha.

Then tonight, sleep under the same mosquito net. Sweet dreams, huh?

Waking up early, those who want to go to the market can go, those who want to sleep can sleep. This morning is chill, eat, sleep, walk around here and wait for the time to enter Ubon Ratchathani city. Find fermented pork sausage to eat. There is still a little time to stop by and buy souvenirs. Give 10 minutes before checking in to board the plane back.

This trip, I would like to thank Tamsri's parents for arranging the beds, pillows, and mosquito nets for us to sleep together warmly. They cooked delicious Isaan food that filled our stomachs. Next time I have the chance, I will come to bother you again. :)

Returning to Bangkok while waiting for a flight at Ubon Ratchathani Airport.

The flight has taken off. This location is likely to be in the Pathum Thani area.

I don't know the coordinates of this location, but the sunset looks beautiful.

Landing alreadyyyyyy. The last group landed safely, no need to rush ^_^

The trip ended with fun and laughter. Pachinko. Sometimes and many times, it doesn't matter where we go, but who we go with. Right? ... See you again on the next trip ...

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Note: This time I used an application called JetRadar to search for and book flights. It's easy to use, shows the total price including everything, and offers multiple payment options.

You can download the JetRadar application on iOS from the App Store and on Android from Google Play.

Or you can use it through the website at http://www.jetradar.co.th/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thjetradar

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Story by LingPle : [email protected]

Photo by: LingPle, Premchai Laolaem, Puffin Coral

VDO Edited by: Premchai Laolaem, Thai Isan and English voiceover by: Chantida Paphol

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IG : lingple