A traveller's reflection: Route 12: Day 08

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Friday, 25 April 2025

Route 12: Day 08 - Mukdahan

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation...” – Herman Melville

(A mural on the wall near our hotel)

Day 08: 25 April 2025 (Friday)
Route: Khon Kaen - Mukdahan
Distance: 220 km
Hotel: B2 Boutique & Budget Hotel, Mukdahan

We checked out, collected our deposit and drove about 5 km from town to locate another halal restaurant in Khon Kaen. The Kai Rod Thip restaurant's business hours is 10.00 am to 8.00 pm. As we were there early, the eatery was not yet ready for customers.

(Taking the right junction)

(Another halal eatery in Khon Kaen)

(Spacious inner and outer eating areas)

We drove out of Khon Kaen on Route 12 towards Mukdahan which is about 220 km away. Mukdahan is where Thailand's part of Route 12 ends.

(A clear bright morning for a leisure drive)

On the way, we made a brief stop at Huai Pho PTT for refuelling, comfort break and buying provisions at the 7-eleven.

(A new look of Amazon Cafè at the PTT R&R)

Arrived in Mukdahan around noon. Drove direct to the Central Mosque of Mukdahan in time to perform the Juma'at prayers with the locals. The khutbah was delivered fluently in Thai by an African imam. There were a few ladies who also joined the Juma'at prayers. After prayers we were invited to join the kariah for lunch but we politely declined.

(Arrived at Mukdahan at noon)

(The Central Mosque of Mukdahan)

(Joining the locals for Juma'at prayers)

(The young African Imam)

We had lunch at the Duen Nom Sod Shop located on front of the Mukdahan Municipality Office, the only halal restaurant in Mukdahan. We ordered seafood fried rice and chicken beriani with iced Thai tea.

(Duen Nom Sod halal shop)

(Enjoying our lunch)

(Variety of dishes on the menu)

After lunch we drove to the Indo-China Market located along the Mekong River for some souvenir shopping. The afternoon was extra hot and humid and the market was quite empty. When we were leaving, there were bus loads of tourists who just arrived.

(A tourist at the Indo-China Market)

(Souvenir shopping spree)

(Engrossed in choosing the best)

We checked in B2 Boutique and Budget Hotel at Rm72/night. We had stayed here during our 2024 trip and found the hotel quite comfortable and near the city centre.

(The B2 Hotel in Mukdahan)

(Check-in process is fast and efficient)

(Small room, clean and cozy)

Rested in the room for the rest of the afternoon until it was time to look for dinner. We had banana pancakes and iced tea for dinner at a small warung Bang Eid Chachak Kitchen.

(A small halal eatery in Mukdahan)

(A cute logo of Bang Eid Chachak)

After dinner we drove to the Walking Street along the Mekong River next to the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge 2 at Tambon Bang Sai Yai, about 5 km from town.