As the end of the 3rd week of teaching approached, Jason and I mapped out our weekend getaway. We had originally planned to visit Udon Thani but once we found out that Monday was a holiday and that we’d have an additional 24 hours all to ourselves, we decided to travel even further north and extend our jaunt. Nongkhai ended up being the final destination and the impromptu change of plans turned out to be one of the most unforgettable decisions ever made.
We could literally feel the city smile at us when we arrived. The bus ride happened to be unusually pleasant and quick and the guesthouse we reserved seemed to be a figment of our imaginations. Set in tropical area alongside the Mekong River, the place emulated the Garden of Eden. Magical trees and fruits surrounded the land and a very charismatic owner along with hammocks and lounge chairs welcomed us as family. The facilities included a full restaurant, a riverboat which operated a nightly river cruise, and a floating bar that regularly hosted local musicians and singers. The Mut Mee community offered yoga, massages, reiki, meditation, and fitness training which we took full advantage of. The country of Laos lay just across the riverbed and the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge was quite a close-range view.
On the first day, we rented bikes and rode through thick forests and muddy paths to an outlandish sculpture park called Salakaewkoo. The huge collection of Hindu and Buddist statues stood more than 30 meters high. Together they fashioned a rather tranquil and serene site. On our way back to the room, we passed an outdoor party where loud music, dancers, and posters of alligator shows beckoned us in. Late in the day, we made our way back and discovered a German restaurant where we enjoyed dinner and then walked along the river with some friends. Our happily fatigued bodies fell asleep early that night and slept better and more relaxed than we could have ever imagined.
On the second day, we enjoyed some banana pancakes and coffee along the water during sunrise. We spent time at the day market and then trekked out in search of the waterfalls. Unfortunately, they could not be found so we settled for the town pool for some sunbathing instead. We opportunely concluded that day with a drink at the river bar, some Vietnamese food, roti, and fruit. On the final day, we said goodbye to the beauty and splendor that Nongkhai had to offer us and trailed back to Kalasin with a new mindset and fresh perspective.
