Hello everyone, today I finally have some free time to finish writing this trip review. I've been thinking about it and wanting to share it with everyone, but I just haven't had the time. Well, today is the day! I also told myself that I had to write the review before I went back to visit again, which is in just a few days... I just got back less than a month ago! But what can I do? The majority vote won, and the weak lost. Just kidding! The minority had to follow the majority. 😜

This trip is a solo adventure, my first time traveling alone. You might think I'm brave, but it's not about bravery; it's about daring to step outside our comfort zones.

Let's go on a trip!

I have a lot of vacation days left, so I decided to go on a trip. I checked the weather for the day I was going to go, and it was going to be sunny and hot. When I packed my bags, I started to get nervous. I was going to be traveling alone, and I wasn't sure if it would be safe or if I would be lonely. I also started to wonder if it would be fun. As I was packing, it started to rain. I looked out my window and saw a bird sitting on a power line by itself. I thought to myself, "Why are you alone?"

In a flash, something inspired me, and my fear turned into excitement. It was strange. My heart started racing out of nowhere. It must have been a combination of readiness and reckless courage that made me want to go. Even now, I'm still surprised by myself.

Upon arriving at Mo Chit, I immediately went to the bus ticket counter. I opted for the last bus, departing at 22:35 and heading to Pha Nok Khao. The estimated travel time was 8 hours. I must say, the air conditioning was freezing, or maybe I was just too excited, haha! It kept me from getting a good night's sleep. I kept telling myself, "If you don't sleep now, you'll be dead from the first climb tomorrow!"

The Journey Begins: A Solo Adventure at "Pha Nok Khao"

The crisp morning air greeted me as I arrived at "Pha Nok Khao" around 6:00 am. Stepping out of the car, a moment of confusion washed over me. Where to next? A quick scan revealed the red truck, but alas, it was already departing. Panic set in as I realized I was alone on a Monday, a day typically devoid of crowds. Hiring a private car seemed excessive. Taking a deep breath, I began walking, hoping to find another ride.

Fortunately, a kind lady driving a red truck noticed me and offered a solution. I could leave my belongings in her truck while waiting for my friends and even freshen up at a nearby restroom. Her warm hospitality calmed my nerves, and I felt a wave of relief.

However, my respite was short-lived. The lady soon returned, informing me that the truck was about to leave. With a jolt, I realized I hadn't even finished brushing my teeth. A frantic search for my glasses ensued before I finally managed to gather my belongings and hop into the truck, joining a group of friendly passengers who had chartered the ride.

And so, my solo adventure at "Pha Nok Khao" began, a testament to the kindness of strangers and the unexpected turns life can take.

The beginning... It started right here. My seniors asked me if I came alone and how many times I had been here. I came alone and it was my first time. Haha, how could I be so reckless?

"My seniors invited me to join them, so I wouldn't be alone. I ended up making friends before we even started climbing the mountain! Haha! See, I was so excited to try something new. It was so much fun, why would I be scared? (Okay, maybe I was a little nervous, with tears in my eyes and shaking like a drenched bird. But don't tell anyone!) Haha!"

The red truck has arrived at the park entrance. It is almost 7 am now. I am looking for the restroom. There it is! I will quickly take care of my personal business and then go to the information center to inquire about tents and pay the park entrance fee.

After paying for various services, it's time to find a place to sit and eat. But wait, let's leave our luggage with the porter first. Don't even think about carrying it yourself. It was almost unbearable to carry it from the room to Mo Chit, let alone up the mountain. Haha! Let's weigh the luggage first...

Having taken care of your own needs, are you ready? Readyyy!! Can you see that long path ahead? "The uphill climb" Do you see it? Let's go, let's start our journey.

(Don't forget to pay respects to the Buddha there, on the roof.) Pray for blessings and protection for your journey, both on the way there and back.

Please register both for the ascent and descent so that the officers can easily check when we went up and when we came down. We don't want to be left behind and disappear with the wild elephants, do we? Haha! (Well, maybe yes.) It's a good time after leaving our luggage, eating, and praying. All that's left is a shoulder bag and another camera. It's quite heavy, isn't it? Let's go register to climb the mountain at 7:47 AM.

Let's go, let's go, let's go! I'm so tired. "Panting" My tongue is hanging out like a little dog that's thirsty. How can my body be so fit? I'm telling you, exercise is good for you. If I had just sat around looking pretty like an office lady like I used to, I would have probably cried all the way home. (Are you sure you're pretty?) Haha! Whoever gets through this week, I'm telling you, you're good. And then you'll know what it means to be a tough soldier. Haha!

Would you like some chilled watermelon? Let's rest for a while before leaving Sam Haek. This will really help. Let's go, we haven't even reached half of the way yet.

The weight of the backpack and camera seems to increase with each step, making me wonder how much heavier it will get. Why is it so heavy? I wish I could just leave it by the side of the road. It's so heavy that my legs are starting to ache. I miss home, Mom and Dad. I'm so tired.

Exhausted? Take a break!

See, the uncles and aunties are calling you to rest. "Have a seat and rest first," they say. "Would you like some chilled watermelon? 10 baht a piece." "How about some coconut ice cream, son?" "Or maybe some refreshing shaved ice?" "We also have cooked-to-order food." "It's okay if you don't buy anything, just come in and rest for a while." And so on.

See how much they care about you? And you're still crying on your way home? (You're overreacting, haha!)

Don't worry about being lonely, don't worry about not having fun, don't worry about not having anyone to talk to. "Don't worry" because you'll get so much in return.

"When you're tired, take a break. When you have enough energy, keep going. Don't push yourself too hard. Save your energy for the climb ahead. Trust me, I've learned the hard way! Haha!"

Do you remember the people who rode the red car with me? I met them at some market, but I can't remember which one. Haha! They got on the car half an hour before me. And then we finally found each other (I'm fit, I can keep up with them. Haha! Laugh like a winner). Then we walked together. We got lost a few times, but we found each other again at other markets.

Okay, here is the translated text:

As expected, let's spell the word "soldier" together. Let's be patient. Okay, from now on, it will be a deadly path (no, no, this is Loei, not Kanchanaburi, get it right). Dive straight to the sky. It's not an exaggeration, it's really "diving straight". I recommend >> shoes that are the most comfortable and familiar to your feet, and have treads that grip like a gecko.

I have translated the sentence into simple and short English, while maintaining the original meaning and tone. I have also avoided using personal pronouns, colloquialisms, and informal language.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

"See, those rocks, those boulders, they're nothing. Wait till you encounter the real deal. If you don't walk carefully, you could easily sprain your ankle."

If you encounter this staircase, you can smile faintly, like a victor. Haha! Seriously, seriously, I'll give you time to think and decide whether to choose left or right. If you're going to think that long, please make way for the porters, haha! "Diving high" will make you faint, I tell you. The two sides are no different. Either way, you'll be breathless, your legs trembling. Once you step up, don't look back, or you'll end up back where you were thinking. Trust me. "Hold tight, step firmly, lean forward, don't look back." Repeat (sometimes you exaggerate, haha!).

Mission Complete!! I am the victor! Hahaha After a long battle with the black hole, I wasted no time in asking my nearby brother to take a few pictures to announce my victory this time (you're playing too much now)

At this point, the view is breathtaking. Looking down, you can see the faint mist, which is incredibly soothing to the soul. After a tiring day of walking, I couldn't help but smile broadly when I saw the 360-degree view from this spot. Even though your body may be weary, your spirit will be refreshed and invigorated, giving you a surprising surge of energy.

From here, we will continue on foot. The path is flat and leads to the Wankwang Meadow, a designated camping area.

While traveling on a smooth road, I was accompanied by two people. The person on the left was an official who rarely came down to the city from his post above. He engaged me in conversation, sharing a wealth of knowledge, and walked incredibly fast. The person on the right was a tourist traveling alone.

We have arrived. Please proceed to the building to contact the staff. Submit your tent reservation form and rent bedding. Then, you can choose your tent. Grab something to eat. After setting up your tent for the night, we waited for our luggage for a long time, but it still hasn't arrived. What should we do? Let's not wait any longer. We'll check back later in the evening.

On my way back to the tent, I bumped into the others who had arrived earlier. They had been there for a while and invited me to watch the sunset with them. I was happy to join them.

Here are the lovely people who joined us on this trip. They are so kind, fun, and full of laughter. We had a truly amazing time together.

Looking at the picture repeatedly.

A sun-dappled pine forest, a gentle breeze, the sound of conversation and laughter, the constant rhythm of footsteps. I love it, I love this kind of atmosphere.

The breathtaking 360-degree view fills our hearts with joy. The journey ahead may be long, but we walk on, sometimes grumbling, sometimes waving to the camera. This shared experience, filled with laughter and joy, brings strangers together, forging friendships in the most unexpected of ways.

Upon reaching the supposed "Pha Mak Duk," a closer inspection revealed it to be "Pha Jam Sil." Dismayed, the weary traveler questioned whether they had reached their intended destination. Exhausted from the arduous journey, they sought a moment of respite before continuing their trek. The arduous climb resembled a frantic escape from a charging bull, leaving them utterly drained. Despite the setbacks, they remained determined to witness the breathtaking sunset at Pha Mak Duk.

The four F4 members standing there are perfectly placed, with a breathtaking view.

This cliff is a perfect place to hibernate. Please be careful and move your butts out one by one, it's really scary.

Another photo with a light mist and dim light.

Let's go. Let's continue walking. The next station is Pha Mak Duk. Really, the light will be gone soon, so let's hurry up.

The real person, the real voice, the perfect lighting, it looks so happy.

The trip was not as lonely as the name suggests. There were also photos of couples.

As the final rays of sunlight fade away.

What day is it today? Who knows?

November 14th, 2016: Loy Krathong

Where are you now? On Phu Kradueng? I don't usually go to Loy Krathong even when I'm on the plains, but here on the mountain, I got to go to Loy Krathong. It was a super new experience, Loy Krathong on the mountain!

November 15, 2016

The younger sibling waited for the older sibling for an excruciatingly long time. The crowd gradually thinned out.

She still endures, waiting for P'Sun to return...

Oh my god! It's almost eight o'clock! How can you be so lazy? Are you not going to wake up and go to work? The fog is so thick that you can barely see your way back to your accommodation. What is so white and fluffy?

Lost in the moment, I forgot to grab my flashlight after taking photos. When I returned, it was gone. How am I supposed to see the sunset at Pha Lom Sak now? And how will I survive the night? I asked the staff, but no one had reported finding it. I guess I won't be getting it back. Haha.

A new friendship has blossomed thanks to a lost flashlight. Check out the hashtag #PhuKradueng to see the story unfold. Amazingly, someone captured a photo of me sitting next to the missing flashlight.

I went to comment and ask if they had seen my flashlight, which I had forgotten. But the reply I got was, "No, I haven't seen it." But then they asked to borrow it because they weren't going to Pha Lom Sak. Really! Haha. Well, I felt a bit bad, you know, because they needed it too. But oh well, let's go! It's getting late. Let's go find something to eat so we can continue our waterfall tour...

Despite a glimmer of hope, a return to the officials yielded no new information. No one had come forward with any updates, leaving a sense of disappointment.

"Fine! If there's nothing there, I won't go. I can just walk around the cool waterfalls and come back."

Despite the initial misfortune, a stroke of luck presented itself in the form of a young man I encountered on Instagram. (A slight eye roll, followed by a playful disclaimer: "Hey, I'm just kidding! Don't take it personally.") After a brief introduction, we decided to embark on a spontaneous waterfall tour together. I promise to respect their privacy and avoid intruding on their personal space.

The water level in the waterfall has receded, but it's still at a comfortable level. I can roll up my pants and enjoy the cool water.

During this period, the leaves have not yet sprouted, making it extremely difficult to spot the young maple. It is a daunting task to climb over rocks and logs just to catch a glimpse of it. Why are they so elusive? Are they both famous celebrities like Brother Sun and Sister Maple? I don't understand! Teenagers are frustrated...

You can hide, but you can't escape my sight.

Come here, let me spank your bottom so you learn your lesson. You're being so stubborn...

Whoa, haha, seriously! That's a cliff! One wrong step and your life will change (status)! How can you be so dizzy?

At the fork in the path, we had to go our separate ways. I had to go solo for the next 7 km. My destination was Pha Lom Sak (I had already borrowed a flashlight). Let's go, walk like there's no tomorrow.

"The name "Sra Onodaat" sounds extravagant, doesn't it? Just hearing the name, my imagination is already faster than light. I want to know how extravagant it is, I have to go see it. Haha! My journey is still long. I calculated that I have to walk 2 km in 1 hour. I'm so tired. I'm walking like I don't care, the sun is scorching, I'm walking in the middle of a wide field. Oh! It's hot! I quickly pick up my phone and turn on the music to keep me company. The music comes…"

No matter how much pain I feel, I will not give up.
No matter how many challenges I face, I will not give up.
No matter how dark it gets, I will persevere and keep fighting.

A quarter of the 7-kilometer journey has been completed, and I have just reached the Pha Yiab Mek cliff. My shoes are in terrible condition, but I'm still wearing them to work (like I'm walking).

After taking a break to regain my energy, I was about to take some photos at the cliff edge. However, before I could even start, a tractor passed by. The driver was on his way to repair something, so I hitched a ride with him and some other hikers who had arrived earlier. We had met this group on the first day of our climb, so it was a stroke of luck. This allowed me to reach Pha Lom Sak around 4 pm, saving my energy for the walk back.

The highlight of the "Pha Luam Sak" event has arrived. We've been waiting for the clouds to drift away, but it seems we'll be disappointed again. We've been waiting for hours, and they haven't budged. However, if we look at it from a different perspective, it's still beautiful in its own way. Each day, the beauty is different.

I can't wait any longer. I didn't think it would be this cold. The wind is strong and it's so cold that my nose is running. I'm going to head back now, or I'll definitely get sick.

The roadside view on the way back was so beautiful that I wanted to stop and take pictures. The soft, golden light of the setting sun was simply breathtaking.

No problem, here is the translation:

No matter how many times I watch it, I never get tired of it. It's so heartwarming, but I can't just keep taking pictures because I need to hurry back. It's going to be dark soon. It's a good thing there are other people walking behind me, so I feel a little more secure.

The roadside view on the way back, hidden from the sunlight.

Enjoy another picture to keep you entertained.

Don't get your hopes up just yet…

Oh my gosh! I was just feeling relieved. Why did you have to crack that joke? Seriously? You didn't even need to ask if they could hear you. I'm downwind from you, so I heard everything. You made me run away so fast. I need to put some distance between us to be safe...

Upon reaching the Red Cliff, I was breathless and exhausted. Just a moment ago, I was contemplating hanging myself, but now I'm drenched in sweat. I desperately need some water. I'll let the others go ahead.

Okay, I've got some energy back. Let's hurry up and walk. Wow! They're walking so fast. They're already leaving me behind.

Okay, I have some strength now. Let's hurry up and walk. Hey!! They're walking so fast. They're already leaving me behind. Are they really not going to wait for me? I'm a woman alone. How can you bear to leave me behind? I'm going to cry.

Running and walking, barely able to see the faint light.

Walk, walk, walk....

Looking up again, I was surprised to see my seniors waiting for me. I was secretly relieved, as I thought they had really left me behind.

This group of friends is hilarious! They have a knack for finding the funniest jokes. I laughed all the way through their performance. I especially remember the "missing soap" joke. It was so clever! 555++

Translation:

"While the older students were talking, there was a moment when I really wanted to interject. 'He's from Mogokju,' I thought. 'Is that in Kamphaeng Phet, right?' It's not in Nakhon Sawan, is it? (Or are you just joking?) I couldn't keep up, haha!"

Despite the challenges, we are grateful for the unwavering support and companionship of our colleagues. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering commitment.

Let's end the night with this picture.

A solitary pine tree, devoid of leaves, might feel utterly alone, even as its needles fall away. Yet, it overlooks the surrounding elements that embrace it: the gentle breeze, the misty sea, the fluffy clouds, and the warm sunlight.

November 16th, 2016

It's time to go home…

The descent was exhilarating, but my toes are throbbing. As I reach this point, a pang of sadness washes over me. Am I truly leaving?

From Wang Kwang to Lang Pa, I left the camp around 8:00 am. When I arrived at Lang Pa, there were not many people yet, and the porters had not arrived. So I decided to take some pictures before going down.

If you look down below, you will still see a thin mist covering the area.

Looking down at the ground while walking, you will find pine cones scattered everywhere.

And if you look up, you will see a clear sky and lush green trees.

Stunningly beautiful.

The descent was a chance to meet fellow travelers, whether it was on the first day's bus ride, the first day's climb, along the way, at the campsite, during meals, on the waterfall tour, watching the sunrise, watching the sunset, or floating lanterns together... And the many chance encounters made me feel like I wasn't traveling alone on this trip. Every time I think about Phu Kradueng, I feel happy. To know how happy, you have to try it yourself...

...then you will know what it feels like to be a conqueror of Phu Kradueng, a once-in-a-lifetime experience...