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Lost
City in Sangkhlaburi Thailand
Trip and writing by Scott
Jackson - Mermaids Dive Center Bangkok
November the 21st 2009 saw Mermaid Dive Center & 5 Star CDC run its first dive trip to a fresh water lake in Sankhlaburi province on the Thailand side of the Thai
Burmese Myanmar border.
The trip was mainly run to dive and explore the submerged temples, pagodas and other structures that were flooded in the late 1980s when the Khwae Noi river was dammed by the Khao Laem Dam submerging many buildings including temples built 120 years ago.
We made 2 dives in the day while cruising around on a large house boat with lunch and drinks on board for all plus changing rooms and a
European style toilet which was greeted with much appreciation by our western
divers. As we descended the first time we were greeted with low visibility but after a few moments our eyes adjusted and we were treated to the historical treasures that the temples and pagodas offered us. Apart from being able to dive around, through and over these structures we were also surprised to find many old artifacts such as old religious statues, stone roads leading between buildings along with beautiful wall carvings and
Buddha images decorating the inside and exterior of these magnificent structures built over 100 years ago.
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| Blue Tiles |
Brick Road |
Buddha Head |
Stone Carvings |
Inset for Offerings |
Apart from the diving we also made good use of the beautiful views from our resort restaurant situated on the side of a mountain over looking the lake and small villages as we ate and drank the night away.
Before heading back to Bangkok the following day we also did some temple bashing/touring of 2 temples on dry land located around the lake as well as stopping for lunch and a bit of shopping at the famous “3 Pagodas Pass” situated at the entry point into Burma/Myanmar from Thailand.
The trip was the first that Mermaids has run in 20 years of operations here in Thailand but judging by the response of the divers who attended this maiden voyage it certainly won't be the last!
A couple of the divers on the trip took a
good few land shots to be enjoyed. Please check the Temple
Trip land shots here ...
If any divers outside if Mermaids wish to join us for the next trip please feel
free to contact Mermaids Dive Center.
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