After this "break" time by the river, we were already getting back in the car, but not to go far since we were heading to Kaeng Tana National Park, only 13km south of Khong Chiam. We had seen the sign from road 2173, some 7km before arriving at the village. Going towards Khong Chiam you have to go straight on the small road instead of continuing on the main road which turns right at 90°.
Kaeng Tana Park is like a kind of foretaste of what Sam Phan Bok looks like (which by the way as I said is not a national park, Sam Phan Bok is just a place in the middle of nowhere, if there are a few restaurants and a road developed up to there, it is just a village around even more picturesque and lost than Khong Chiam.
The main reason why we came to visit today is precisely this proximity to Khong Chiam. The place is nice but compared to Sam Phan Bok I would say that it is not essential to visit if you are short of time and if you want to limit your budget, because, like any national park, you have to pay an entrance fee (in my case I would get away with 150 bahts instead of 200 for me +20 for Jitima +30 for the car =250 Bahts).
In addition to the rocks carved by erosion, there was a cave, a bat haven, but we will not visit it due to lack of time. There is also a small dam upstream.
We still appreciated this relaxed atmosphere on the banks of this secondary river, the Mun, a river that comes from the Khorat plateaus and flows a little further into the Mekong. Depending on the season, this gives the impression of a river with two colors where they meet because the Mekong is generally brown/red due to its muddier and stirred waters while the Mun discharges water that is normally greener.
And then above all there was this beautiful sunset from the suspension bridge. A bridge which is in pitiful condition, too much so in fact because I did not dare to cross it entirely…
Romantic dinner by the Mekong River
In the evening we decided to go to a "chic" restaurant in the most famous hotel in the area, to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. Located on the other bank of Khong Chiam, the Tohsang hotel is rather cozy but the price was still very reasonable for the standing they offer, with swimming pool and view of the river. Unfortunately it was full when we wanted to book (end of year celebrations oblige).
Since we can't sleep there, we'll eat in their restaurant, the Café de Khong. It was a bit chilly outside on the high terrace, so bring a woolen coat or long sleeves if you go in winter. The meal itself is good value for money, certainly more expensive than the small local restaurant you might find in Khong Chiam itself, but still, what a setting!
Are you interested in this region? I'm curious to know your opinions!
