Thailand's Isan Region

Part 2 of 4Unique Villages, Ban Chiang and the Naga

Temple

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Near Khon Kaen - the Sai Ngam Banyan Tree and Shrine

Sai Ngam is the largest banyan grove in Thailand, spanning an area of some 1,350 square metres. The Buddha is believed to have become enlightened under a type of

banyan known as “sacred fig” or “Bodhi tree”.

Sai Ngam is considered sacred by locals, and thought to be occupied by a powerful spirit. They regularly offer incense sticks and colourful streams of flower garlands to the spirit

house near Sai Ngam’s original 350-year-old trunk.

A family celebrates at one of the shrines at Sai Ngam

A small market sells statuettes of holy men and good-luck spirits for home alters and spirit houses

Bang Song Silk Village

Silk worm cocoons are boiled to allow the threads to be extracted

There are 80 families in the village. Silk production is a family affair

The start of the process--silk worms munch on a diet of mulberry leaves.

Weaving the silk...this is one of Isan's most important cottage industries.

Silk production takes place in the cool of the ground level--near the

kitchen and daytime 'relaxing' areas

Ban Kok Turtle Village. When we arrived at 5:30 pm, the turtles had not yet emerged.

We fed a few that wandered around on the main street.s.

The Tao Pek, or elongated turtles embody holy spirits that have protected the village for the past 250 years.

A few very helpful locals searched their yards and storehouses to find sleeping turtles. This woman brought one out for us to see!

Villagers set out mangoes, melons, jackfruit, grapes and other fruits. The turtles smell them and then clamour out of the bushes (left) to take in the feast.

Turtles will be turtles. They make loud hissing noises during courtship. After the eating frenzy, just as the sun starts to set, you can hear the turtles.

Dinner at the Khon Kaen Night Market

We sat in front of the Pad Thai stall

Fresh, tasty Pad Thai and Singha Beer for dinner

After the silk and turtle villages, we heard about the cobra village (Kok Sanga) so we decided to explore. It was very hokey, touristy and expensive so we left after a few minutes.

Traffic Congestion

Heading in thew direction of Udon Thani we stopped to appreciate the scenery and visit a roadside market. The temperature was in the mid-30's C (90F) so this dog obviously had the right idea, in between guarding the cows.

Water Lotus--you can snack on the seeds

Fresh, juicy mango

Mitsuru hanging out with the bunch

Cow and Water Buffalo Skin--just like eating beef jerky

Mother chicken offers a ride to one of her chicks

Koo Kaew --The Mat Weaving Village

Storehouse for weaving materials

The village has a temple. The side roads lead to rice fields and beautiful scenery.

Lunch at Nam Sau

(Clear Water)

Restaurant.Lemon Tea,

chicken, papaya salad,

sticky rice and fried

rice

Papaya Salad

Ban Chiang Archeological Site is

on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Known for its red pottery, the site covers the time

period from 2100 BCE to 200 CE

Wat Pho Sri Temple in Ban Chiang

Kamchanot The Buddhist

and Naga Forest Temple

Udon Thani

Kamchanod is believed to be the home and entrance to the underground world of a mythical Nāga, a giant serpent who legend says breathed fireballs into the sky to form steps for

Buddha to descend to heaven.

The great Nāga lives deep in the waters of the lake which surround a densely forested island called Wang Nakhin (Nāga Palace) which is connected to the temple

grounds by a 100 metre bridge guarded on each side by two seven-headed serpents.

Shrines on the island, where visitors pray to the Great Naga and to Buddha

Flower garlands around the Chanot trees pay homage to the Naga and carry blessings of good fortune

Visitors rub their hands quickly in circles on the gongs to make them 'sing'; a sound that appeases the Great Naga and brings good fortune

Veneration at one of the statues of a holy man

Auspicious markings on the chanot trees. Families gather to 'interpret' the markings which reveal numbers that may correspond to winning lottery tickets!

Morning scene in Nakhon Phanom

End o Part 2—Next we visit Sakon Nakorn and Nakhon Phanom.