14 November 2023
The day began early with a delicious Thai breakfast of fried rice, curries, fruits, and juices.
By 8:30 am, we were packed up and leaving the hotel, heading towards Buriram. The cooler temperature and light breeze made for a pleasant change.
We decided to take a detour and explore some of the eastern border crossings near Cambodia.
Our first stop was an unexpected gem – Wat Mai Nabun, a temple under construction. The intricate naga statues and calming reflections on the nearby lake were captivating. A kind monk even gave us a personal tour of the site.
Our next stop was Wat Saimai Wanaram, a wat that was still under construction. It was well off the road and on extensive grounds. It will be interesting when it’s finished.
Further on was Wat Khon Saphan, a wat serving the local village people. It was a smaller temple, with many large statues surrounding it, including elephants and horses.
We headed down to the border town of Aranyaprathet to have at look at the Bang Khlong Luek Border Markets and the Khlong Luk Border Post. This is the border between Thailand and Cambodia.
It is a railway station, and the last stop before entering Cambodia.
We continued north towards Buri Ram.
On the way we dropped into Prasat Sdok Kok Thom, which is an ancient Khmer Temple in Sa Kaen.Constructed around mid 11th Century. Main complex surrounded by moats and wall.
Visit by a group of monks gave us some interesting photos. Even managed to get a group photo with some of the monks before we left.
Arriving in Buri Ram we did a quick visit to the Toyota dealership to make an appointment to get some repairs done to the Fortuna, then drove to our Hotel, the B2 BuriRam Boutique and Budget. Wasn’t not quite what we had expected, but for a B2 was reasonable enough. Hotel situated near a large artificial lake, which had a walking path all around it.
Went for a walk and found some dinner.. Then back to the hotel.
15 November 2023
Our Buriram adventure started with a bit of a hiccup. A quick room-service coffee fueled our dash to the Toyota dealership to fix our rental car’s grumpy GPS. The amazing staff there, while super helpful, couldn’t work their magic – a whole new infotainment system was needed. We decided tp get this fixed by Budget in Chiang Mai.
Bellies rumbling, we cruised to Big C for a spot of shopping and a morning tea pitstop. With our bags a little heavier (and bellies a little fuller), we set off for Khao Kradong Forest Park, a former volcano slumbering on the city’s outskirts. You can reach the top by road, but we opted for the slightly more challenging (and way more rewarding) 297-step staircase.
Let me tell you, the panoramic view of the city sprawling beneath us was worth every single step. We also got to marvel at the majestic golden statue of Phra Suphatthara Bophit Buddha – a truly unforgettable sight.
After conquering those stairs (twice – down counts too, right?), we cruised over to Wat Pa Khao Noi. On the way back to the hotel, we squeezed in a visit to the Phanom Rung Replica Stone Temple, a historical detour not to be missed.
By this point, our legs were begging for a rest, so we drove back to the hotel, where we recharged for the real adventure – the Buri Ram Municipal Night Market! This place is a foodie paradise. We wandered through the stalls, our senses overloaded with delicious smells, finally settling on a delectable spread.
Back to the lakeside, where we enjoyed our dinner, as we watched the evening exercisers jog by around the lakeside path.
We strolled back towards our hotel and came across a Chinese New Year street celebration parade and were able to follow the chinese dragon back to where a large street festival and concert washing held. It was an amazing spectacle, and we were made feel welcome by the local people. A great find and the perfect way to end the day.
Our first day in Buriram a whirlwind of volcanic climbs, golden statues, and mouth watering market finds, and Chinese Dragons.