On a recent trip to the GT with a gal and journalist from Vientiane, we lucked out with a sunset over the Mekong at Wat Hua Kuan.
A few days earlier, with a senior Lao historian from the Ministry of Culture from Bokeo, she had been on the Laos side researching the Souvannakhomkham ruins to visit a giant Buddha image across the river.
This site and ruins have featured on GTR before
I went for a ride around yesterday and saw some great scenery and noted some strange sights..... the kinds of things you only see in Thailand, maybe............. 1. Where is this? the easy question. 2. What does it mean......? 3. These are tree roots being loaded in the new Chiang Saen...
www.gt-rider.com
Ton Phueng used to be a quiet, quaint little village directly opposite Chiang Saen. However, the outrageous wild west development at the Lao Vegas, Kings Roman casino complex just 4 kms upstream has seen a dramatic change in Ton Phueng. The place has definitely lost its charm, with a frantic...
www.gt-rider.com
Looking at the sunset, my journalist friend got excited said the giant Souvannakhomkham Buddha is straight across the river, over there.
Nah, it's not there. Never seen it there from here. It's several kms further upstream.
But how wrong I was.
We chatted with the temple monk, and YES, he said, you can see that giant Buddha straight opposite, just over there.
Well, we could not quite see it clearly, but it sure is there; I can see now, after checking Google Maps.
âââââ · Historical landmark
maps.app.goo.gl
Two happy, smiling adventurers on the Mekong.
A couple of notes on the temple.
1. The abbot monk is the sole monk there and has been there alone for 15 years.
2. All the Buddha images around the perimeter, facing the river, are gone.
If you're riding R1290 along there at Ban Saeo at dusk, pop in for a sunset.
âââââ · Buddhist temple
maps.app.goo.gl
