Red Lotus Sea: I don't remember how long I learned of a place called the Red Lotus Sea. However, once I knew it existed - and once I knew how easily it was accessible - I knew I had to go.
My first challenge, however, was to decide when it would be. I know for sure that I was not living in Thailand at the time, even though I was planning several trips to the Kingdom (as I almost always do when I don't live there).
Whether you just want to check off this wild wonder from your bucket list or more generally looking for things to do in Udon Thani (the nearest town in Isaan), you'll want to keep reading.
How to reach the red lotus sea
When my good friend (and longtime traveling companion) Dora told me that she would meet me in Thailand in January 2015, I knew it would be a great time to visit the Red Lotus Sea. Although this is his first trip, there is never a bad time to discover the most incredible destinations of amazing Thailand. After several days in Bangkok and a few nights in Koh Lipe, we flew to Udon Thani, where we curled up until the wee hours of the next morning.
This last part is essential. Although the Red Lotus Sea (ทะเล บัว แดง or Talay Bua Daeng in Thai) is theoretically one day away from downtown Udon Thani, it's really the best scene if you have at least one night in the city. I will explain the reasons for this (and show them, using some amazing photos that you will love), in the next few paragraphs.
Tips for the best trip to the red lotus sea
Organize transport the day before
Getting to Udon Thani Lotus Lake is not possible by public transportation, at least not if you want to have the same experience as Dora and me. In addition, your hotel reception is unlikely to be open when you check out. Arrange your taxi (or, if your hotel has its own car service, a driver) before going to bed the night of your arrival in Udon Thani.
Get up well before dawn
Another secret about the Red Lotus Sea? Although it is beautiful at any time of the day, it is truly at its best at sunrise. It is usually around 6:00 a.m. in Udon Thani in January and February, which means you have to leave the city center well before 5. When planning your transport, check the exact sunrise time and plan leave an hour before.
Make sure you get your own boat
Although sharing a boat with Thai tourists can be a good opportunity to practice your language skills if you are studying Phaasa Thai, it may be better to take your own walk if you want to enjoy the tranquility of the lake. The good news is that the boat costs only a few hundred baht (you can haggle the price), so it probably won't be a problem if you've already paid for a taxi.
Bring different lenses
Even if you don't consider yourself a travel photography aficionado, you absolutely must bring your best skills to the Red Lotus Sea. Your best skills and best equipment: there are as many shots that require a wide angle lens as those that require one capable of zooming. In fact, it is difficult to find a balance between the need to stay present and the desire to photograph everything.
Don't bother outside January or February
When you visit Red Lotus Lake, Thailand's weather rules (i.e., there is only a wet, dry season, or a warm, warmer season) do not apply. Specifically, the flowers only bloom in January and February, as I mentioned earlier. Although there are a lot of lotuses scattered on the lake if you go out in recent months, it will not be the spectacle you expect.
Photos of the Red Lotus Sea
Where to stay in Udon Thani
Bad news? Udon Thani, although one of the largest cities in Isaan, is far from cosmopolitan or even so interesting. The good news? The compact downtown hotels are plentiful and inexpensive, and will serve to provide a place to sleep before getting up before dawn to sail to the top of a sea of red lotus flowers.
In particular, when Dora and I visited the Red Lotus Sea, we stayed in the comfortable and well-positioned Lion King. Other Udon Thani hotels include the historic boutique-style property The Old Inn and the luxurious Centara Grand Hotel and Convention Center, which is a great choice if you prefer brand-name hotels and don't mind paying a little more. for such comfort and familiarity.
Other activities in Isaan
Assuming you are not just traveling from Udon Thani to Vientiane (actually, for info, you will have to travel from Udon Thani to the border town of Nong Khai in Asia), there are many other things to do in the underrated region of Isaan in Thailand:
- Discover (relatively) cosmopolitan Nakhon Ratchasima (alias Korat)
- Travel from Ubon Ratchathani to Sam Phan Bok, the "Grand Canyon" of Thailand
- Participate in unique festivals, such as the annual candle festival
- Taste the spicy food of Isaan, som tam papaya salad to larb, a unique ground meat dish
In addition, you can cross Cambodia at different border checkpoints. Most tourists do this to visit the magnificent Preah Vihear Temple!
The Bottom Line
The Red Lotus Sea deserves a place on your bucket list and a commitment from you to check it off. Boating on the lake is truly a magical experience, especially if you follow my advice and leave Udon Thani at least an hour before sunrise. An endless horizon of lotus flowers would always be a beautiful sight, but is unforgettable bathed in the abundant light of the early morning. Of course, no matter when (i.e. what time of day) you visit the Red Lotus Sea, the real key is to make sure you leave in January and February, which is the only time you can see bua daeng are in bloom. Otherwise, you will fly to Udon Thani for a boat trip on an ordinary lake!
Robert Schrader is a travel writer and photographer who has traveled the world independently since 2005, writing for publications such as "CNNGo" and "Shanghaiist" along the way. His blog, Leave Your Daily Hell, offers a mix of travel tips, destination guides and personal essays covering the most esoteric aspects of a traveler's life.
