Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos (Vol. 2 of 2): During the Years 1858, 1859, and 1860Mouhot, Henri
History
Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos (Vol. 2 of 2): During the Years 1858, 1859, and 1860
Mouhot, Henri
Cambodia -- Description and travel; Khmer language; Natural history -- Indochina; Thailand -- Description and travel
Oubon and Bassac lie W.N.W. from M. Pimaï. It takes eight days in the
rainy season to travel from this last town to Oubon, two more to reach
Bassac. To return occupies at least double that period, the current
being excessively strong.
The Ménam-Moune at Pimaï is 75 metres wide in the dry season; in the
rainy season it is from 6 to 7 metres in depth. There are in this
district iron, lignites, and trunks of petrified trees lying on the
ground, which even from a very short distance look like fallen trees in
a natural state.
Mgi-Poukham, inhabited by the Soués, is six days’ journey from Korat in
a south-easterly direction.
In the dry season the navigation of the river is impeded by sandbanks:
at some points the stream is tolerably wide, but in others choked with
sand.
From Korat to Pimaï, on an elephant, occupies two days: from Korat to
Thaison, two; to Sisapoune, two; to Josoutone, two days; to Oubon, four
days; to Bassac, four.
Direction E.N.E. from Korat; Poukiéau, N. of Chaiapume; Pouvienne, ten
degrees E. of Chaiapume; Dong-kaïe, N.E. by E. of Chaiapume; M. Louang
Prabang, N. of Chaiapume.
From Chaiapume to Vien-Tiane is fifteen days’ journey on foot towards
the N. and nine degrees E. M. Lôm, N.W. of Chaiapume; Petchaboune,
W.N.W. of Chaiapume; Bassac, E.S.E.
Bane Prom, a mountain situated in a valley nine miles across, is nearly
300 metres high. Bane Prom, a town. Menam Prom, a river nearly 2 metres
deep and 40 wide, rises in M’Lôm, and empties itself in the Menam Chie,
in the province of Koukhine. Bane-Rike, between Poukiéau and Kone-Sane,
four geographical leagues from each place. Menam-Rike is a torrent
which empties itself into the Prom.
The vegetation is monotonous--everywhere resinous trees, chiefly of
small size. There is a complete absence of birds; insects are in great
number and variety, musquitoes and ox-flies in myriads. I suffer
dreadfully from them, and am covered with swellings and blisters from
their bites; and they torment our beasts so much that we sometimes fear
it will drive them mad. The sensibility of the skin of the elephant is
extraordinary, but these creatures are very skilful in brushing off
their tormentors by means of a branch held in their trunks. I do not
know what would become of me without these good and docile animals, and
I cannot tell which to admire most, their patience or intelligence.
From Kone-Sane to Vien-Tiane is eight good days’ journey in a
north-easterly direction.
To M’Lôm, four days W.N.W.
To Petchaboune, four days W.S.W.
To Kôrat, four days E.S.E.
To Chaiapume, four days E.S.E.
To Poukiéau, four days E.S.E.
To Leuye, three days’ rapid travelling N.N.E. over mountains.
From Kone-Sane to Koukhène, two days’ rapid journey E.S.E.
From Koukhène to Chenobote, one day’s journey S.E.
On the road from Kone-Sane to Leuye, near the former place, is a stream
called Oué-Mouan, and a torrent, Oué-Kha.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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