Thailand's Isan Region

Part 1 of 4Bangkok,

Kabinburi, PhimaiGillick's World Destination

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Isan literally means ‘northeast’ and refers to Thailand’s largest region bordering on Laos and Cambodia.

Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand my Associate Editor Mitsuru Sasaki and I spent 6 days exploring the region. We travelled by van from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom and Khong Chiam, before flying back to Bangkok from Ubon Ratchathani.

Isan responds to the "what else can we do" question from those who have already explored the popular Bangkok to Chiang Mai route.

Steve Gillick, President, Talking Travel/Gillick's World

Water Taxis are a very popular way of travel --using the canals of Bangkok. This is the Na Na boat pier near Sukhumvit.

Rush hour on Bangkok's water taxis

Taking a tuk-tuk Dinner at the Ginlom Chom Saphan Riverfront Cafe,

literally "Eat the wind....enjoy the bridge"

Steamed squid with garlic and lemon, mountain vegetable wth spicy soup- Tom Yum Kung

Khao San Road Night Market

Dream2 Hotel in Sukhumvit- good location, very friendly staff, very comfortable.

Vendors set up a mini-market while waiting for the train at Praprong Railway Station (about 3 hours drive from Bangkok)

You can even buy a nice fresh rat for lunch

On the 'market train' to Kabinburi

Fresh produce in the Kabinburi Market

Above-Khai Ping-grilled egg: take the yolk out--boil in spice and put back inside.

Right-the equivalent of Chinese 100 year old eggs.

Marinating fish, Kabinburi Market

Market vendors at Kabinburi

Tumeric chicken

After the market we visited Apai Pubhet Hospital that specializes in herbal medicines. In the afternoon we travelled to the city of Korat.

Dinner at the Lung Pun Grill Fish Restaurant featured:• Lon Poo--a dipping dish with vegetable and crab• Papaya Salad with anchovies• Duck Spicy Salad• 1000 year old egg fried with basil• Garlic Squid• Papaya salad with prawns• Rice noodle• Sticky Rice• Korat NoodlesIn other words, we ate well thanks to Smiling Albino Tours and our guides Kob and Pop

Morning at the city shrine in Korat's the Old City.

Adding gold leaf to the statues

Selling various kinds of tamarind, across the street from the shrine

Sweet tamarind --soooo good

Prasat PhimaiThe Universe

on Earth

The temple layout was based on the

mythological Mount Meru. Many believe Phimai served as the

model for Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Prasat Phimai is a 12th century Khmer Temple

Copy of the statue of King Jayavarman VII sitting cross-legged, silhouetted inside the southeast Prang, or tower.

Carved reliefs of holy men,

musicians, and dancers

Demons throughout the complex discourage evil spirits from entering the temple

The Phimai National Museum

Lunch at the Rim Moon Restaurant

Sticky Rice with sausage, mushroom, salty eggs, lotus reeds, bacon, dried shrimp, peanuts, red beans, pear and garlic. Aroy Mak! (Delicious)

Coconut fish cake

Tom Ka Gai--soup with chicken, coconut and chile

paste

Crab Dumpling Hakka Style: crab & pork with plum sauce Ssnow peas, bamboo, shrimp

Chicken, squid,mushroom

Mrs. Yupin, the chef/owner of the Rim Moon Restaurant

Steve with Mitsuru in the background, trying to get into the showcase with the statues, Phimai National Museum

Stay tuned for Part 2 of 4, where we visit the silk, turtle and woven mat villages