18 December 2017. Rice Field Trail

I had planned to go to the island of Dan Daeng but getting across there seemed a hassle. It seemed that it was not possible just to turn up and pick up a boat, particularly to come back. It all needed pre-planning. Eventually, I decided to go anyway and booked for a boat to come and take me across. I waited and waited. First he was to be 20 minutes. After about 10 minutes, the man I'd booked with rang and said now it would be 20 minutes. He had to put petrol in the boat. After about 20 more minutes, he rang again. The boatman had gone somewhere else first and would be here in 20 minutes. I'm afraid I got my money back and decided on plan B.
This was to hire a bike and go gor the rice field trail around Champasak town. This proved worthwhile. The terrible road
meant there was very little traffic and I was able to enjoy the countryside - when I was able to lift my eyes from the road!


In the middle of nowhere, I came across Wat Pa with an extraordinary entrance.


Much of the way, the road was bounded by an aquaduct which channelled water pumped from the Mekong into the paddi fields.They must take quite a skill and precisiion, running as they do for several miles and having to keep a constant level throughout.




I carried on through the lovely countryside
 





until the trail ended at a Rice Mill which was in full swing and interesting.

I then decided to set off down the road to the Ancient City as I'd hardly seen it as I passed through a couple of days previously on my way to Wat Phou. Turning off the main road brought me unexpectedly to a catholic church.

A little further on was a wat where a meeting was being held with a large attentive audience




I made my way back coming across a large herd blocking the road.
Once I got back, I sat at a riverside table, able to watch a boat race team practising.
Daytime closed with a nice sunset over the mountains

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