River/Temple

Text: We visited Nak Hwa Am, the "falling flowers rock," and Ko Ran Sa, a small Buddhist temple with a natural spring behind it. From a landing near the temple we rode a tour boat a short way down the river. The speakers on the boat played loud "bbong-jjak" music and a recorded message that we couldn't understand at all. We had a video camera with us, borrowed from Mr. Kim at Studyland, so we didn't take many pictures that day. This river is called the Kum Kang along most of its length, but the stretch that runs through Puyo is called Bek Ma Kang, which means "white horse river." The name comes from a story about an invading army that was trying to cross the river but couldn't because of a dragon in the water. They fished for it with the head of a white horse, caught it, and crossed the river.

(Page 2) After walking back through town and getting some lunch, we found this old temple site not far from the bus terminal. No original buildings remain, but there is a stone pagoda dating from the Paekche period. A new building shelters a weathered stone Buddha statue.

Background Paper: Thai unryu from The Paper Web, Daphne natural lightweight from Daniel Smith on side.

Pens: Micron black (01)