The last day of my stay in Tha Khaek I have spent on seeing those things that I have skipped on the third day – namely the Khoun Kong Leng lake (‘Evening Gong Lake’) and one, not too fancy temple. Khoun Kong Leng lake is located on the southern edge of Phu Hin Bun NPA – almost one hour drive from Tha Khaek city. It takes one hour not because of the distance, but because of the road quality – which you can see on the photos. There are also virtually no signs that would point you in the right direction – but since I knew the location from guidebook, I found the place without problems. The lake is located next to limestone mountains. The emerald-green water flows from subterranean river that filters through the limestone, making the water crystal clear. The lake is about 21 m (70 ft) deep. The locals believe that lake has mystical powers and it is named after a legend that describes a gong sounding on the full moon each month. Swimming in the lake itself is not allowed – but it is possible in the stream that flows from the lake, apparently after getting permission from the locals. However, when I arrived in Ban Na Kheu (about 1 km from the lake), there was nobody there to even notice my presence. The Lonely Planet guidebook describes the lake as ‘stunningly beautiful’ but I would be more careful when choosing words – it is beautiful, indeed, but not jaw-dropping. And as it is not the most accessible place to get to, it can be easily omitted if you are not into it.
On the way back I have made a brief stop to take photos of local people. Laos is the most bombed country in the world (per capita) and even 40 years after the war ended, it is still taking its toll. There are still ongoing projects clearing the unexploded ordnance (UXO) – mostly land mines and other bombs. The elderly man that can be seen on the photo almost surely has lost his hand because of UXO. I cannot be 100% sure of it since the family didn’t speak any English – but knowing the facts this is the most likely scenario.
After seeing the lake I went towards Pha That Sikhottabong – on the way I have stopped briefly to see the ‘Great Wall’ – a kind of huge piece of stone wall, which used to have some sort of defending purpose in the past. Now it is mostly forgotten and hidden in the woods not far from the main road (but there is about 15 km of the walls preserved to this day). Pha That Sikhottabong is a stupa that sits on the grounds of a 19th century monastery of the same name. The stupa was raised in place of thâat (Buddhist reliquary) dated 6th to 10th century. It is considered one of the most important thâat in Laos and was first renovated in 16th century by king Setthathirat, when it got its general shape. Later it was restored in 1950s and further augmented in 1970s. It is a place of a major festival in February. The monastery itself, same as the stupa, didn’t really get into me – it’s just a standard monastery/temple in Asia. If someone happens to be here for the first time though, then you are more than welcome to visit the place – especially since it is located only 6 km from the city and very easily accessible.
From Tha Khaek (A) to Khoun Kong Leng (B)
Po drodze do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Droga do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Miejscowi farmerzy, po drodze do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Trudna droga do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Trudna droga do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Trudna droga do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Trudna droga do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Lokalna droga, bardzo blisko jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Jezioro Khoun Kong Leng (Wieczorny Gong). Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Jezioro Khoun Kong Leng (Wieczorny Gong). Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Jezioro Khoun Kong Leng (Wieczorny Gong). Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Jezioro Khoun Kong Leng (Wieczorny Gong). Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Jezioro Khoun Kong Leng (Wieczorny Gong). Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Jezioro Khoun Kong Leng (Wieczorny Gong). Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Jezioro Khoun Kong Leng (Wieczorny Gong). Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Jezioro Khoun Kong Leng (Wieczorny Gong). Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Starszy mężczyzna, który prawdopodobnie stracił rękę przez niewypał z czasów wojny indochińskiej. Wioska po drodze do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Tha Khaek Loop, Laos.
Dzieci w wiosce po drodze do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Chłopak w wiosce po drodze do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Mężczyzna w wiosce po drodze do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
Dzieci grają piłkę nożną w szkole, w wiosce po drodze do jeziora Khoun Kong Leng. Pętla Tha Khaek, Laos.
“Wielki Mur” w okolicach Tha Khaek. Tha Khaek, Laos.
Główna stupa w Pha That Sikhottabong. Tha Khaek, Laos.
