There is a novel lake in Thailand called Talay Bua Daeng. The name itself sounds highly inconsistent with its geographical status, as in translation it means Red Lotus Sea.
The use of the term sea here is in no way mere hyperbole intended to draw tourists. This freshwater lake called Nong Han Kumphawapi is home to tens of millions of red lotus plants on an incredibly massive scale.
When the flowering season comes, the dense cluster of flower petals completely covers the lake water. This inland landscape immediately takes on the looks of an unlimited sea of deep pink stretching so far as the attention can see.
For travelers world wide, this phenomenon is an optical illusion that defies initial logic. From a distance, the realm looks more like a field of flowers on dry land than an unlimited body of freshwater.
Natural Incubator within the Isan region
Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake is definitely very shallow. This shallow water depth allows optimal sunlight penetration to the lake bottom throughout the day.
In addition to the incontrovertible fact that the underside of this sea of flowers is shallow, it also incorporates an enormous layer of organic nutrients. This fertile mud bed serves as the right natural incubator for the expansion of tens of millions of lotus seeds.
The cool tropical climate that appears from November to February is the principal impetus for the transformation of this region. This drop in temperature stimulates the lotus petals to sprout and flower concurrently.
This synchronized natural state changes the function of the lake from a reservoir to a large floral ecosystem. Local residents use this annual event to turn into seasonal water tour guides.
Morning is the busiest time in the agricultural area of Isan. Dozens of wood boats begin to crisscross water channels to ferry cameramen.
Tourist life racing with the sun
The pink sea on this lake has a really strict each day blooming schedule. The flower petals open completely only from dawn to simply before noon.
Warm morning sunlight provides the primordial energy that makes these tens of millions of flowers bloom. In this short time, all of the magical great thing about the lotus area reaches its absolute peak.
The air temperature, which begins to rise towards noon, causes a distinct response in these plants. The searing heat of the midday sun forces tens of millions of lotus petals to shut again.
This process changes the face of the realm immediately inside a couple of hours. The sea, which was once dark pink, turns back into a daily freshwater expanse with green leaves floating flat on the surface.
This strict each day cycle forces local tourism activities to race against very tight timescales. All water travel schedules have to be accomplished before the sun is directly overhead.
Travelers who arrive late will find only a tranquil water landscape. The view of the large flower carpet is already tightly hidden and can only open again the following dawn.
Guide to access, costs and opening hours
The short flowering cycle forces the tourist piers in Nong Han to open very early. All boat rentals on this lake open at 6 a.m. and shut around noon.
Tourists should arrive before sunrise to capture one of the best moments. It is best to start out the overland journey from the middle of Udon Thani, 45 kilometers away, at 5 am.
As regular mass public transport networks should not yet available, one of the best transport options are passenger transport services or a rented vehicle. The journey from the town takes roughly fifty minutes, crossing quiet country roads.
Upon arrival on the principal pier, the local fishing community is able to use the organized boat queue system. The entrance fee to the tourist area itself is free, as visitors only must pay for the boat rental, which varies depending on capability.
A small wood boat, seating a maximum of two people, costs about 150 baht for a brief route. Meanwhile, for the longer route that circles the center of the lake, the speed is 300 baht.
For large groups, large speedboats with protective roofs can be found for 500 baht, which might accommodate as much as ten passengers. The price includes the service of an area driver who will take the boat on to the densest clusters of lotuses in the midst of the lake.
