The provided text is a link to a Facebook page named "Fanpage: อ้วนเป็นหมี".
Here's the translation:
Facebook Page: Fat as a Bear
This trip took place in October, during the rainy season in Bangkok. Heavy rainfall caused flooding in many areas. However, in Ubon Ratchathani, there was no rain and the sun was intense.
On Saturday morning, I left Bang Na at 5:00 AM and took a taxi to Don Mueang Airport. When I got on the Din Daeng expressway, there was heavy flooding that made it impossible for small cars to pass. The taxi had to turn around and take the expressway again, going around to get off near the Government Center in Pak Kret. By the time I reached Don Mueang, I had been charged over 500 baht for the taxi fare and another 110 baht for the expressway toll. During the trip, I checked in on the app before arriving at Don Mueang at around 6:00 AM. I rushed to print my boarding pass and went straight to the gate. The boarding time was 7:05 AM. It was a very tiring experience, and I was worried every minute while I was in the taxi that I wouldn't make it on time.
The round-trip AirAsia tickets for this trip were booked back in January, so long ago that I almost forgot about them.
Upon arrival at Ubon Ratchathani Airport (08:45 AM), exit the terminal building and turn left. You will find several car rental companies, including the popular Avis. (For Avis rentals, booking in advance through their website is recommended for better rates.)
However, we had researched car rentals in advance, so we opted to rent a car from JJ Car Rental Ubon Ratchathani, owned by a friendly lady named P'Jum. Their shop is conveniently located at the Wat Jaeng intersection. A taxi ride from the airport costs around 45 baht. Please note that a deposit is required for car rentals, so be sure to bring extra cash.
In Ubon Ratchathani, metered taxis are available with a starting fare of 40 baht. If you choose not to rent a car, metered taxis provide a reliable and affordable transportation option, ensuring fair pricing.
After picking up our rental car, we had a late breakfast at Auntie Robot's Clay Pot Restaurant, a renowned local eatery.
Located on Benjasiri Road, Jeh Robot's Paak Mor restaurant is a local favorite and a must-visit for tourists. The restaurant offers a simple menu of four dishes: soft Paak Mor, crispy Paak Mor, soft Paak Mor with egg, and crispy Paak Mor with egg.
This restaurant's "pak mor" (steamed rice flour dumplings) are renowned for their flavorful fillings. The primary ingredients include minced pork, black pepper pork sausage, and spring onions, all seasoned with the restaurant's secret recipe. The chewy and soft dough is topped with a sweet dipping sauce, creating a harmonious taste. The crispy "pak mor" offers a different kind of deliciousness, with the aroma of roasted sesame seeds infused in the crispy dough.
Leaving the "Auntie Robot" crispy pancake shop, still not full... Let's continue to the "Auntie Nueng" rice noodle soup shop [a famous shop].
This is a highly-rated restaurant, and missing out on it would be a big mistake. The chewy and soft rice noodles are served in a flavorful broth, with generous portions of high-quality pork bones and black pepper pork sausage. A large bowl costs only 40 baht.
After finishing a bowl of "guay jub" around noon, I felt my stomach full and my eyelids heavy. The scorching sun prompted me to return to my accommodation for a rest.
We stayed at the Rapee Pann Hotel, which we booked in advance through Agoda for 1,552 baht for two nights, including breakfast.
Amenities: Air conditioning, TV, refrigerator, water heater, wardrobe, hairdryer, Wi-Fi.
After checking into your accommodation, spend the afternoon visiting Wat Phra That Nong Bua, located 2.2 km away. This temple features the Phra That Chedi Sri Maha Bodhi, a replica of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India. It houses sacred relics, and the interior offers a breathtaking view when looking upwards.
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Departing from Wat Phra That Nong Bua, the journey continues to Wat Baan Na Muang, located 5 km from the city center. This temple features a unique ordination hall resembling a swan-shaped boat adorned with intricate ceramic decorations. Inside, the revered principal Buddha image sits in a meditative posture, revered by the local community.
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After completing our prayers around 5 pm, the weather was quite hot and humid. We returned to our accommodation to shower and then headed out for dinner at the Tung Sri Muang Night Market. This market is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, offering a wide variety of delicious food. Having tried several dishes from different vendors, we were so impressed that we wished we could take them all back to Bangkok!
Our first stop: Moo Satay Khun Dow
Walking past Moo Satay Khun Dow, we were drawn in by the sight of locals eagerly buying skewers. With sets priced at 40, 60, and 100 baht, we opted for the 60 baht set, receiving 12 succulent skewers. The pork, marinated to perfection, was tender and juicy, grilled to a perfect char without being dry. Dipped in the rich peanut sauce and paired with the refreshing cucumber relish, each bite was a delightful explosion of flavors. The addition of finely chopped chilies added a welcome kick, creating a harmonious balance of sweet, savory, and spicy.
Thousands of skewers of marinated pork are grilled and sold daily.
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Next, we visited Aun Noi's Crispy Pancake. We noticed many locals ordering takeout boxes, so we decided to give it a try. After placing our order, we waited almost an hour for our food. The highlight of Aun Noi's crispy pancakes is the **incredibly chewy and soft dough**, so much so that it can be stretched! However, the filling differs from that of Auntie Robot's. Aun Noi's version does not include pork sausage, only ground pork stir-fried with seasonings and spring onions. Each pancake costs 10 baht. The sweet dipping sauce has a subtle hint of lemongrass. This is another must-try spot for delicious crispy pancakes.
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Sweet Treats: A Taste of Heaven
Moving on to desserts, we encounter Mam Tofu Shop. The long queue in the picture speaks volumes about its popularity. Their signature dish is undoubtedly the hot soybean milk, best enjoyed with crispy deep-fried dough sticks (not pictured). The rich, subtly sweet soybean milk pairs perfectly with the crunchy dough sticks.
Equally popular are the chilled almond jelly and the hot bird's nest with ginkgo nuts. The almond jelly boasts chewy tapioca pearls, tender ginkgo nuts, sweet preserved jujubes, and a fragrant syrup. The bird's nest, a must-try, offers a luxurious experience with its smooth texture and delicate flavor.
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The next morning, breakfast was included in the accommodation price and consisted of basic local dishes. This provided a light meal to satisfy our hunger before heading out.
At noon on the 2nd, we traveled to Chong Mek to cross the border to the Lao market. Before reaching Chong Mek, there is a temporary border pass office on the left-hand side. The required documents are an ID card, a processing fee of 30 baht, and a photocopying fee of 4 baht. Then, you can walk straight to the office with the documents. The walkway to the other side requires us to walk through an underground passage.
The tunnel entrance has clear signs indicating prohibited items for entry into Thailand. Notably, cigarettes are subject to a hefty fine of 717 baht per pack.
Emerging from the tunnel, a short walk leads to a local market where villagers sell their wares in a simple manner. Freshly peeled bamboo shoots, mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, buffalo hide, and crabs are among the items on display.
Note: The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.
I took a short walk on the Lao side, but it was too hot. Before returning, I stopped by the Duty Free shop, which sells alcohol, perfume, cigarettes, and snacks. However, I didn't buy anything.
Cross back to the Thai side and continue to **Sirindhorn Phu Proa Temple**, also known as **Wat Rueang Saeng**, located approximately 96 km from the city center. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.
The ordination hall of this temple is golden in color. At night, it glows with a beautiful green light (as seen in pictures on the internet). If you want to see the glow, you should come in the evening. However, the road to the temple is not very safe, with no streetlights and potholes in some sections. Therefore, we decided to return before dark and did not stay to see the glow. It was a pity.
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For our final dinner, we returned to the bustling night market, drawn back by the delicious food. This time, we tried the papaya salad stall at the far end. However, our hunger after the long journey got the better of us, and we devoured the food before remembering to take a picture!
Ubiquitous in Ubon Ratchathani's streets and alleys are meatball vendors, each with a signature pot of dipping sauce and fresh vegetables for self-service. Among these, a must-visit is Mit Samphan Meatballs, renowned for its homemade, fresh, and daily-made meatballs at affordable prices starting from only 3 baht per skewer.
Today's dessert is fresh coconut ice cream from Wun's Ice Cream Shop. I ordered it with bread, toppings (longan, sweet sticky rice), sprinkled with roasted peanuts and steamed mung beans, and drizzled with unsweetened condensed milk. The ice cream is smooth and creamy, with a rich coconut flavor. For only 30 baht per box, it's packed with toppings, so much so that it's almost impossible to finish.
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To conclude our culinary journey, we stumbled upon a bustling barbecue spot called "Spicy Intestines Ma La BBQ" located in an alleyway opposite the bustling night market. This eatery offers a wide variety of meat and vegetable options at affordable prices, starting from just 5 baht per skewer. During our first visit, we were pleasantly surprised by the authentic Ma La spices, which provided a delightful combination of spiciness and tingling numbness. This spot is a must-try for those who enjoy a fiery culinary experience.
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On the 3rd day, in the morning, we checked out of our accommodation and returned the car. As we had several hours to kill before our flight back at 7pm, we found ourselves with nothing to do and ended up spending half the day aimlessly wandering around the Central Ubon shopping mall, waiting for the time to go home. (T_T)
After waiting for more than six hours at the gate, heavy rain began to fall (for the first time in three days). This caused a power outage that lasted for almost an hour. Finally, when it was time to board the plane, the electricity returned. After half a day of waiting, I was finally able to return home. I was so relieved that I could have cried.
The original text is in Thai and describes a trip to Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The writer expresses their desire to return to the city in April of the following year to see the Wat Rueang Saeng temple at night, visit the Sam Phan Bok rock formations, and eat at the Talat Tor Derm market.
Here is the translated text in English:
"This trip wasn't quite enough. I still want to see the Wat Rueang Saeng temple at night. I'm still thinking about the delicious food at the Talat Tor Derm market. So, I've made plans to go back in April next year. I'll visit the Sam Phan Bok rock formations, see the Wat Rueang Saeng temple at night, and eat at the Talat Tor Derm market again (I loved it!). We'll meet again next summer. Ubon Ratchathani, a city full of delicious food. <3"
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Friday, November 8, 2024 4:03 PM