"Phu Lom Lo" in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park has become a popular tourist destination in the past 2-3 years, attracting visitors who come to see the pink flowers, or Wild Himalayan Cherry. We were among those who wanted to visit again, having been there five years ago when Phu Lom Lo was not yet well-known. At that time, the Wild Himalayan Cherry trees were just starting to be planted and were not yet fully grown. We were also able to camp and enjoy the cold wind on the top of Phu Lom Lo.

In mid-January 2017, when Nong Phuping was 19 weeks old in her mother's womb, or about 4 months old, the family embarked on a trip to Phu Lom Lo. The journey began at night, with her father driving, and they arrived at the Rong Kla village just before dawn.

The weather in Ban Rong Kla was extremely cold that morning. It was so cold that I was shivering and my breath was visible. Initially, my father planned to go up to Phu Lom Lo alone to take pictures, but I also wanted to go. I didn't want to just sit around and wait, especially since we had already come all this way. However, I was also worried about the baby in my womb. So, I asked the officer who was arranging the car service if it was okay for me to go up since I was four months pregnant. I requested to sit in the front seat.

The officer arranged for us to have a very new car and instructed the driver to drive slowly. As a result, my younger brother, Phuping, my mother, and I were able to take photos on Phu Lom Lo with my father.

We took a shuttle from Ban Rong Kla to Phu Lom Lo, a distance of about 3 kilometers. In the morning, the sky was overcast and foggy, but it created a different kind of atmosphere.

Admiring the beautiful blooming of the Dok Ngang Phaya Sua Krong flowers at the beginning of the year brings immense joy and a refreshing feeling.

According to the bus driver, there are three pick-up points for the park shuttle service: the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park headquarters, Ban Rong Kla village, and a point accessible from Loei province. The service operates with over 100 vehicles.

The morning was bustling with people, as it was a Saturday and the pink rhododendrons were in full bloom. However, the abundance of leeches added another layer of excitement. The constant shrieks of girls alerted us to their presence, and we had to be vigilant, constantly checking our legs and feet for any unwelcome hitchhikers.

Our driver will take us to various scenic spots, stopping at each location to allow us to admire the views and take photos at our leisure.

Around 8 or 9 in the morning, the sky began to clear, revealing patches of blue sky.

You'll be taking beautiful pictures now.

The valley before us was awash in pink, a truly breathtaking sight.

Five years ago, when I visited, there were not many Dok Ngang Phaya Sua Krong trees, and they were not as big as they are now. Now, it has changed a lot.

This is a male tiger fig tree, hence the absence of the word "nang" (meaning "female") in its name. (This information was provided by the driver.)

The male plant only has leaves and no flowers.

Indeed, it stands tall and strong, befitting its title as the "King of Tigers" tree. Even though it stands alone, it exudes an air of majesty.

The mist slowly drifted over the mountain peak, revealing a clear sky behind.

This is another scenic viewpoint where the car service will stop for us to take pictures. In the past, this was a camping ground, but now camping is no longer allowed on Phu Lom Lo due to the increasing number of tourists. The authorities are concerned that the beautiful natural environment will be damaged.

Around 10 am, we returned to the parking lot at the bottom of the Rong Kla Village. This particular Queen's Flower tree was enormous, and its blossoms were in full bloom, creating a breathtaking sight.

The village will host a market where children will sell agricultural products such as carrots, cabbage, broccoli, kale, and various other vegetables at affordable prices.

Everywhere you look, pink blossoms are in full bloom.

Around 11:00 AM, my father took us out of the Rong Klua village, heading towards the Man Daeng waterfall in search of red maple leaves. While the peak season for red maple leaves is in mid-February, we decided to take a chance and see if we could find any during our trip in mid-January.

Park rangers at the Man Daeng Unit informed us that there is a tree with red maple leaves behind the unit. It is only about 50 meters away and is very tall.

Gather several fallen red maple leaves and arrange them together for a photograph. Don't hesitate, let's have some fun!

After admiring the red maple leaves, we had lunch at the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park headquarters. The place was bustling with tourists. After lunch, we headed back home. It was a challenging drive for my dad, but he made frequent stops at gas stations along the way to rest and avoid fatigue.

For those who want to witness the stunning spectacle of pink rhododendrons blanketing the slopes of Phu Lom Lo during the upcoming winter season, it is highly recommended to visit from mid-January onwards. The breathtaking sight is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

Thank you, Dad, for driving us and our daughter in my belly so far to go on a trip.

And thank you to everyone who has been following. ^_^