Enjoying N-Joy in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

A sultry Sunday afternoon in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. It was hot but the humidity seemed to exceed the temperature. I don't really like using the airconditioners and as I was moving about the house the electric fans were all but useless. What to do? What to do?

Ah I know. I was in dire need of a cold beer and my periodic English language fix. There is a sexy little pub/cafe here in Ubon Ratchathani that will solve all my challenges. It's name N-Joy. And enjoy I do. It is owned and operated by the Thai wife of an Australian dude. She provides a friendly, sexy environment and he provides good conversation and good stories.

The beer is always cold and in supply. If you get the munchies too while talking and drinking there is a good menu that a competent cook serves up tastely in short order. If you need a bit of action there is a snooker table in the rear. But as for me I enjoy just sitting, sipping my ice cold beer, listening and doing a bit of talking too.

The other mates who drop by are decent and provide stories and entertainment. N-Joy is a nice place in Ubon for us expat types to come get our batteries recharged before deploying back out into our alien expat world for more experiences and adventures. When you visit Ubon you are more than welcome to join us.

I headed back to my castle that Sunday afternoon, refreshed and not noticing what the weather was doing. All in all a good day among many good expat days.

Nong Bua Public Park - Ubon Ratchathani

One of the places in Ubon Ratchathani I go to relax is Nong Bua Public Park.

It is a fairly new park here in Ubon Ratchathani. It was well planned and is maintained well too. During the day it is fairly empty and very quiet. I enjoy just sitting there at one of the many tables and relaxing.

Nong Bua Public Park is one of my favorite places here. I like to walk around the pond and sit to think. The grass is colorful and well kept. There are gazebos if you want to get out of the sun. A great place to eat lunch or just enjoy a cold beer.

There is a path around the pond for jogging or walking. There is a baskeball cour. There are exercise stations featuring various exercises. So if you want to relax, exerise or spend some quiet time with yourself or a special friend it is well worth a visit to Nong Bua Public Park. Nearby are many places to eat and also Nong Bua Market and Nong Bua Temple.

Thailand Travel - Mukdahan to Savanakhet and Back

What a wonderful trip. I just recently needed to leave Thailand to get a new visa. My place of choice was Savanakhat, Laos. It is near and it is convenient. Normally I can go there, apply for my visa, pick it up at 3pm, then back to Thailand. All in one day. But recent events have changed things.

In the past I would take the ferry from Mukdahan to Savanakhet, but the Friendship Bridget II has now opened for business to I had to go use it for my border crossing. It was painless but just a bit less convenient than the ferry. There were more suprises in store for me as well. As of January 15, 2007, the Thai consulate no longer does one day processing.

So since I arrived Friday morning I was stuck in Laos until Monday. At first I was pissed because I didn't have prior knowledge of the change. But then I thought, what the hell, I might as well enjoy my weekend in Savanahet.

I did a lot of walking. I met an Irishman and we hooked up on the Mekhong River enjoying a delicious lunch and some cold Beer Lao. We met again later that night and enjoyed the company of some lovely Lao ladies.

Saturday I spent walking around exploring the city. A contrast of old and new. Asian influence mixed with a touch of French. That evening I found a pub which made great cheeseburgers and had cold Beer Lao as well. The owner is a Dane name Alan and we quickly became friends. I consumed several cheeseburgers and many Beer Lao over the weekend.

I enjoyed the slow pace and quiet atmosphere. Many people still ride bicyles and there are a few cars and motorcycles. For me it was like traveling back in time. I enjoyed very much. The people we kind and friendly. From the cooks to the little 3 year old girl who wanted me to play with her and her elephant doll.

What started as a problem ended in an enjoyable weekend near the bank of the Mekhong River. If you get a chance you should spent some time in Savanakhet, Laos. It is worth your time.

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A Visa and A Vista

December 29, 2007. I got on my Honda and began the 50 kilometer journey to the Immigation Office in Phibun Mangsahan. It was a nice day, not too hot not too cool. It is always nice to get out of the city limits and really enjoy the motorcycle feel.

The humm of the engine, the wind in my hair, the caress of the sun on my skin, all so good. What a day, oh what a feeling. Even the speeding overcrowded buses seeing how close they could come to me without actually hitting me couldn't put out the flame of excitement.

I arrived at the office, safe, windblown and ready for lunch. But first things first. I Explained to the officer what I needed and asked him if I should come back later as it was 11:50 already. He insisted I sit down and be taken care of at that moment. I rather enjoy doing business there because they have been one of the few places that seem to not try and make things more difficult with extraneous beaureaucratic redtape and BS then they have to. Yahoo!!!!!!
In a record government transaction time I paid my 1900 Baht and was back on my Honda heading to the river for lunch and relaxation. On the river, at the rapids, in the park. The name of the rapids is Gaeng Saphoo. It is in the Phibun Mangsahan district of Ubon Ratchathani province Thailand there runs the Moon River. At this particular spot on the river there are rapids after the waters of the monsoon season rescede. If is a beautiful and peaceful place to relax.



I parked my motorcycle and took a walk along the river bank, enjoying the scenery and the day. I was also in search of a Chang beer to quench my thirst. A group of school kids were practising something but not too busy to spot me and practise their English. "Hello", "What's your name?", "Where do you come from?", always amazing.

I found the cold beer and walked out in the river on now exposed rocks to feel the day, the music of the water passing the rocks, the warm sun, the cooling breeze and the cold beer. Don't get any better. I went into a trance taking in the moments and enjoying my beer. I took some photos to keep a imagery memory of the experience. My stomach brought me out of the comma and I found an inexpensive noodle shop close by.

After my noodles I enjoyed another beer then walked around through a park, a group of university students and particularly and cute co-ed (female) invited me to join them for Korean Bar-B-Que but as I was already full i graciously declined. But it did add to the day. Time to head out so wouldn't get caught in traffic.

All in all a wonderful day. Wish you could haved joined me. Oh well, maybe next time.

Loy Krathong (Thai Valentines Day) at Wrong Way Cafe

Maybe you know or don't know but Loy Krathong Day is like Thai Valentines Day. And the same is Valentines Day it is not a day off holiday. Loy Krathong is celebrated on the full moon here in Thailand.

Loy means to float. Two lovers set their Krathongs afloat together. If they remain in contact as they float off it means the lovers will remain together. If they separate then the lovers are destined to separate as well.

This time around my friend Richard who is a fellow American expat was offering free smoked ribs at his restaurant and pub here in Ubon, Wrong Way Cafe. It is a nice comfortable cozy place downtown in Ubon. He and his wife Ting offer hot steaks and pizza and cold beer.

So I just went there to Wrong Way Cafe and enjoyed the food and the company. It was a nice night and I didn't have to fight the crowds around the bodies of water to set the coconut leaves and candles afloat. It is the thought that counts and love was given. So happy Loy Krathong Day.

Mukdahan, Savanakhet, Visa Run

I have lived in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand for 6 years. Well except for a year I spend in Bangsaen, Chonburi. I have had non-immigrant visas in all that time. But now for the first time I had to go on a "visa run'. If you don't know that means I had to leave Thailand to get a visa so I could continue living here in Thailand. Even though I am now considered a tourist.

I got on a bus to Mukdahan here in Ubon at about 5:15 AM. It takes about 3 hours. I arrived in plenty of time to catch a sam lor or 3 wheeler to the river port. Thai Immigration processed me through easily and paid my 50 Baht for the ferry ride across the Khong River to Savanakhet, Laos. The ferry left promptly and 9AM and it took about 15 minutes.

On the eastern shore I disembarked and took about 30 minutes to get my Laotian "visa on arrival". The was a 1700 Baht investment. When finished there it was off to the Thai consulate. I didn't know exactly where it is so I paid 50 Baht to a driver to take me there. The ride was 5 minutes as it is less than a kilometer from the port.

The paperwork at the consulate was quick and painless. After paying the 1000 Baht it was off to see the city. Savanakhet is mid size and rather quiet and peaceful. It was how I imagine Thailand was 30 years ago. I had a good lunch and drank a few Beer Lao while waiting for 3pm to pick up my passport. I met an American Expat named Hank who was retreating from Thailand to Laos because of the changes about visas.

At 3:00 exactly the consulate opened its doors distributing passports. Five minutes later I was back at the port un-doing all I did that morning and waiting til 4pm for the ferry to return me to Mukdahan. That was much the same as the morning.

I spent the night in Mukdahan at KiengPiman Hotel. Nice and clean with air and hot water only 500 Baht. After a few beers at Ban Cafe, a drinking establishment owned and operated by an American, I enjoyed a steak next door and then off to karaoke and disco with my new friends Tim and Milk.

An express ride back to Ubon and my visa run adventure was complete. I rather enjoyed it. I think next time I will spend a night or two in Savanakhet. It was a good experience to Mukdahan, Savanakhet and back to Ubon. Thailand and Laos in 24 hours.