in northeast thailand we came across an otherworldly attraction that combined the beauty of a tropical flower garden and the serenity of a lake this spectacular site is home to millions of lotus flowers and appropriately named the red lotus sea or talay bua daeng we like to shis beautiful natural attraction in honor of the upcoming valentine's day holiday as we approached the water's edge where small pontoon boats are docked it was not immediately obvious that this was home to a million pink lotus flowers the magic happened only after we hopped into a pontoon boat and took a ride towards the lake center in some areas lake grasses sprouted through the lotus flowers sending streaks of bright green through the hot pink horizon there were well-traveled boat routes anomg the flowers giving the illusion of paved roads that snaked shimmered their way across the water there are a few smll islands on the lake home to buddha statues shrines and pagodas the islands and their structures look as though they are floating among the lotus flowers other picturesque moments include birds flying by and local fishermen gliding by on their longboats a soft fresh breeze played across the lake and our pontoon canopy offered us shaed from the late moming sun the lake is quiet apart from the low humming of other boats motors here and there we had a peaceful stay on the water but we can imagine that it would have been made complete if we had brought along food and drink for a picnic while enjoying the scene the red lotus sea showcases its beauty during thailand cool season but the peak blooms occur from beginning of december to the end of february the best time of day to see the lotus blossoms is between6:00am until 11:00 am or 12:00 pm this natural attraction is the perfect pkace to visit during the valentine day weekendl our red lotus sea boat driver the trek began among lake grasses lily pads and murky water but grsdually changed bright pink bulbs began appearing hovering a hand length above the water surface the murky water became clear and offered a view of the tangled dark green stalks and tiny fish below after tan minutes of humming along in our pontoon boat our surroundings were transformed as promised into the red lotusvsea millions of lotus flowers stretch across the 600 square acre lake in every direction