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Pongsali, Muang Khwa
Project gen story hotsia
http://www.hotsia.com > กว่าจะถึงพงสาลี ( ต้องอ่านให้ได้นะ ) พระธาตุภูฟ้า .. พงสาลี กินข้าวบ้านชาวพงสาลี เมืองขวาไปเดียนเบียนฟู สถานีขนส่งพงสาลี 2557 เกสต์เฮ้าส์ ในพงสาลี เรือจากหาดสาไปเมืองขวา ตลาดเช้าพงสาลี 2557 เมืองขวาคือเมืองหนึ่งของ พงสาลี ครั้งที่แล้วผมล่องเรือแม่น้ำอูจาก หาดสา พงสาลี ผ่านเมืองขวา ครั้งที่แล้วผมยังเรียกชื่อว่าเมืองขัว แต่จริงๆดูจากแผนที่แล้วชื่อว่า " เมืองขวา "
Muang Khwa is a small town mostly inhabited by hill tribes around the area. It is known to tourists as a transit town for those traveling to northern Vietnam, passing through Muang Khwa to Dien Bien Phu, then on to Sapa. Muang Khwa is about to have a bridge crossing the Ou River. As of April 2011, the bridge is under construction. A friend in Muang Khwa said it will be finished in about two years.
When the bridge is completed, I expect there will be direct buses from Udomxay to Dien Bien Phu, allowing travel in the morning and arrival by afternoon or evening, eliminating the need to spend a night in Muang Khwa. Sigh... This means people won’t stay overnight in Muang Khwa anymore. Then how will those involved in tourism here survive? Maybe some will still stay if there are no direct buses from Udomxay to Dien Bien Phu. For now, traveling to Muang Khwa by bus from Chai or Udomxay, there is one trip daily at 8:00 AM.
In the afternoon, there might be additional trips. Or you can take a boat down the Ou River from Haad Sa Pongsali, or from Nong Khiao back to Muang Khwa. Some foreigners travel from northern Vietnam, Sapa, to Dien Bien Phu, then to Muang Khwa before heading to Luang Prabang. There are about ten accommodations in Muang Khwa, priced from 160 baht up to 500 baht. The popular ones among Lao people and tourists are by the Ou River with restaurants, costing around 200 baht.
I didn’t stay there; I stayed at a guesthouse opposite the Bank of Laos because years ago I traveled solo to Dien Bien Phu and got to know them. Last time, I met another Lao friend who took me to eat at a local’s house nearby. This time, I stayed here and cooked my own meals, even teaching how to make stir-fried holy basil and traditional Thai tom yum. In the past, Muang Khwa’s electricity was cut off at 10 PM, but now it’s on all the time. Muang Khwa has a bank.
There is no ATM yet, but a friend said one will be installed in a few days. Restaurants in Muang Khwa include one where Mr.Hotsia taught how to make stir-fried holy basil; if you pass by, try it and see if it’s good. Other places include Cam Ou restaurant with a beautiful view of the Ou River, and a few restaurants on the left before the ferry pier to Dien Bien Phu. Recommended dishes to try are Ou River fish like catfish, skin fish, and giant freshwater fish, as these natural fish are becoming harder to find every day.
Muang Khwa is a peaceful town. I like the villagers’ lifestyle, going to the temple at night during merit-making days. I enjoy walking around the small market in front of Mrs. Saeng’s house or visiting the suspension bridge over some river nearby, which is also beautiful. In the mornings and evenings, you can experience the local way of life, see hill tribe people dressed in their traditional clothes walking in Muang Khwa, and enjoy the morning and evening views by the Ou River. This is the traveler's perspective that many people, including me, love. mr.hotsia April 2011 21 4 55.698 N, 102 30 23.753 E GPS coordinates (POI)
180-degree panoramic view, rotate the image to see. This river is the Ou River; across the river is the new town and Dien Bien Phu 21 4 54.33 N, 102 30 24.929 E. Viewed from Cam Ou restaurant and guesthouse. Enjoy traveling with Mr.Hotsia. Walking in Muang Khwa, these hill tribe costumes are beautiful; I have never seen them before. For those who can’t imagine, stir-fried holy basil with duck, which I taught Mrs. Saeng to make for customers. Transport or bus station in Muang Khwa 21 4 19.71 N, 102 29 39.42 E 21 4 55.062 N, 102 30 22.05 E. They use boats and have boat permits for sale.
21 4 55.487 N, 102 30 22.835 E 21 4 55.433 N, 102 30 21.798 E 21 4 50.586 N, 102 30 17.975 E 21 4 51.048 N, 102 30 19.343 E. Mrs. Saeng’s friend cooked food to try. Merit-making night after Songkran. Children playing by the Ou River. The lifestyle of Muang Khwa villagers. Locals in Muang Khwa. For lunch, I had grilled fish. Hill tribe people come to buy things in town. Does the duck holy basil look delicious? Dinner by candlelight because the power went out, nothing else.
