The mere mention of travel often fills our hearts with excitement, especially when we see stunning images from various destinations. This desire to explore has led us on countless journeys, capturing memories through photographs like many others. However, we have increasingly chosen to travel with groups that contribute to nature conservation in various ways. As a result, our recent trips have often incorporated activities that benefit the environment, allowing us to combine travel with meaningful contributions, making the experience even more enjoyable.

“We believe we have found our path.”

"Volunteer travel is not just about going on a trip, it's about giving people the opportunity to experience something more."

This trip was rather urgent, as it offered exciting activities and stunning natural scenery. After confirming the dates, we invited members as usual, and everything went according to plan. All members were present, and communication was smooth.

However, the unexpected happened when the trip leader had an urgent matter and it seemed certain that they would not be able to go. As a result, there was a new discussion to find a solution. In the end, the trip continued. But then, another unexpected event occurred when two more members had urgent business to attend to. We understood and also considered canceling the trip immediately. However, for some reason, the trip did not fall through despite the missing members.

Unfold the map.

The Day of Departure

Despite the absence of three members, the remaining seven remained steadfast in their resolve to embark on their journey together. Though not all were familiar with one another, most had a sense of camaraderie, having known each other for some time. It was a joyous reunion, especially for one member whose birthday coincided with the day of departure. A small surprise awaited them - a cake to celebrate the occasion before they set off to meet the rest of the group at Big C Saphan Kwai.

We were scheduled to meet at 9 pm, but people started arriving gradually, and one person was missing. We tried to contact them for a while, but in the end, we got into the van with the same number of people, five. The surprise came at the last minute and very suddenly. The person we were waiting for had an urgent work commitment! After reading the message they sent, everyone looked at each other and laughed softly. From here, we had to pick up one more person near Rangsit, which means we had a total of six members.

One person sat next to the driver, while the remaining five could comfortably stretch out and sleep soundly. Before we knew it, we had arrived at Phu Ruea. As soon as it was light, we grabbed breakfast at the market to hold us over before getting back in the car and heading to our destination, the Pla Ba Community Tourism Promotion Club.

Step by step.

Phu Bak Dai is located in Phu Ruea District, Loei Province. It is a community-based tourism initiative by the Pla Ba community. It took us quite a while to find our way from the market to the community as we were unfamiliar with the route. The phone signal was also intermittent, making communication with the village headman somewhat challenging.

The driver followed the directions we gave him over the phone, and soon we saw the sign for the Pla Ba community. The anxious anticipation that had gripped us throughout the journey immediately vanished.

Arriving later than scheduled, we found the e-taek and our guide waiting for us. We quickly loaded our belongings and prepared ourselves for the journey. With three people per e-taek, two in the back and one in the front, we set off comfortably.

Dressed in hiking gear, our faces covered to shield us from the sun and dust, we sat in unison, legs stretched out, one hand clutching a camera, the other gripping the vehicle for dear life, as our e-tuk tuks slowly made their way through the dusty terrain.

This is just a village road, and in some sections, there is still a lot of dust. The farther you go, the rougher the road becomes. The road is red clay all the way, and the car slowly passes through various gardens, which is another kind of fun.

The car slowly drove forward, and we continued taking pictures. It was a thrilling experience, as we worried about whether our heads would be cut off, our arms would disappear, or the pictures would be blurry. Some sections of the road started to become steeper, and the sun grew stronger. However, our smiles and laughter never faded throughout the journey.

The rolling hills and distant mountains gradually came into view, interspersed with wildflowers swaying in the breeze. My stomach began to rumble, likely from the bumpy ride.

The car finally came to a stop after ascending the hill for some time. The driver, Uncle, informed us that we would be taking a break here to wait for the car behind us. This spot was pleasantly cool and offered access to restrooms, allowing us to stretch our legs and relieve some of the accumulated fatigue. We enjoyed some bananas and snacks to tide us over until the other car arrived. Once they had joined us and rested, we continued our journey.

The majority of the route was quite steep, necessitating a firm grip while seated. The path narrowed in sections, and as we entered the shade of towering trees, we yearned for their continued presence. The contrast between the cool shade and the scorching sun was stark, eliciting near-shrieks from us. Before reaching the parking spot, the driver briefly exited to inspect the path. However, we were oblivious to his actions, preoccupied with taking pictures.

As Paul returned to the car, we were already seated and ready. The people in front must have been aware of the situation, but the two of us in the back were still chatting comfortably. Before we knew it, our hands were gripping everything around us tightly, as the incline we were ascending was quite steep.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

After a grueling and somewhat brutal journey, even though we were traveling by car, which left many of us feeling sore and stiff, we finally arrived at our destination after approximately two hours. As the first to arrive, we stretched our legs and waited for the others under the scorching sun and intense heat, with no wind to provide relief. We could see our destination in the distance, with people already making their way down. Once all members of our group had arrived, we began our ascent, following the path ahead.

Although the distance was only about 200 meters, it was a steep climb and we started walking uphill right from the beginning. The sun was beating down on us, and anyone who wasn't tired should be kicked. Many people were exercising, and many people warmed up before going up. In the end, we all walked slowly, one step at a time. We stopped, walked, rested, and took slow, short steps, but we were still tired. My water bottle was almost empty by this point.

Despite seeing parked cars in the distance, seemingly small and far away, we still hadn't reached our destination. Uncle walked ahead of us, telling us he would come back down to help carry the bags later. Many people were starting to show signs of fatigue, their faces flushed from the sun, their breathing becoming heavier, and their conversations quieting down. Until we heard Yu say that she was about to throw a tantrum, which made everyone laugh.

The uncle then walked back to help carry the bag, but we knew we could still manage, so we asked him to help the people behind us instead. We gathered our strength, probably for the last time, and steeled ourselves to walk uphill with our heads down until we finally reached the top. When we reached the flat ground, we immediately collapsed. But less than a minute later, the younger brother who had sat down earlier suddenly jumped up. Everyone turned to look, but as soon as they heard the word "leech," everyone jumped up and walked away quickly.

Although the path is now flat, there are still many potholes left by the cows' hooves. However, it is easier to walk than the steep climb, so the chatter starts again. We ask the guide's name, which is Pae and Loma's father. We continue to chat, and eventually we realize that the name he gave us is not his real name. When we ask him his real name, he gives us the same answer. Well, he's funny. Even though the sun is still strong, walking along the cliff with such a wide view is very enjoyable. We hardly stop at all, only to wait for each other. And now our eyes light up when Pae takes out a bottle of sweet water with ice in it. He says he froze it and then sips it as it melts. Wow, that's amazing. We've never done anything like this on a hike before. We should definitely do it on our next trip.

Many people who said they couldn't take it anymore have already overtaken us. They are truly lions on the flat. After walking for a while, we started to climb a hill, but it wasn't too steep. We slowly followed each other up.

We continued walking past the hill and took a break, as we were fairly confident that there wouldn't be any leeches. However, we opted to sit on rocks for safety, even though the sun was still strong. A gentle breeze provided some relief, and we spent a considerable amount of time taking photos and enjoying the moment. We were having so much fun that we forgot we hadn't reached the campsite yet. However, we could see our destination in the distance, and my father mentioned that we were walking at a good pace. This made us even more relaxed, and we continued taking photos along the way. Our conversations resumed, and we were once again filled with laughter and chatter.

We had to walk past the highlight spot, the one everyone sees in pictures and wants to visit at least once: the "Deceptive Cliff" or "Dangling Leg Cliff," as many call it. Now, it stood right before us. We could only glance at it and continue walking to find our camping spot. Dad had already chosen one near the treehouse, which stood out quite prominently. We couldn't resist climbing it to see what it was like. Once we were up there, we realized it was better suited for storing things. We wouldn't dare sleep on it; it was shaky, wobbly, and didn't seem sturdy at all.

Upon arrival, we immediately dropped our backpacks and lay down to rest. After recovering from our exhaustion, we had lunch, which was long overdue. We ate and chatted until we were full. Everyone started looking for a corner to lie down and rest for a while. Some people fell asleep, while those who were still awake went out to explore for a private place to do their business. I tried to walk in a direction where no one had pitched their tents. I walked quite a distance. When I returned to the resting area, I immediately lay down on the groundsheet. Suddenly, I felt an itch on my leg. When I lifted my leg, the first glimpse almost made me scream. It was itchy and painful. I thought it was a leech sucking blood. But upon closer inspection, it wasn't. I'm not sure if it was a beggar's tick. I wasted time pulling it out of my socks that I couldn't sleep.

We finished setting up the tent together. Everyone grabbed their cameras to take pictures in front of the illusionary cliff, or the hanging leg cliff. The sun was still quite strong, and most importantly, there was no one else around.

In the late afternoon, the lighting at the "Deceptive Cliff" or "Dangling Legs Cliff" creates a backlit effect, adding a unique atmosphere to the photos. Everyone was eager to strike a pose, competing for the best shot. Despite the lack of clear facial features and the harsh lighting, these challenges didn't deter the enthusiasm. The absence of a queue made it even more difficult to leave this spot. Some devised their own poses, while others imitated those of others or sought suggestions from their friends. The photographers were busy capturing these moments, enjoying the process immensely.

Many people who were not afraid posted photos effortlessly, while some seemed to be tense with the cliff, so they had to find landmarks for themselves. It wasn't as thrilling, but it was okay if it made us happy. We stayed there for a long time, taking hundreds of photos, until other groups came to take photos one after another. We gradually retreated from the cliff.

We ambled along the cliff face, stopping to take photos along the way. Every few steps, we would pause to find the perfect angle, each of us drawn to different perspectives. As the light began to fade, the atmosphere grew more pleasant, with a cool breeze blowing intermittently. Yet, we continued to walk and capture the scenery through our lenses.

We stumbled upon a solitary tree, its silhouette captivating even in the fading light. The backdrop of sun-kissed mountains further enhanced the scene. Unable to resist, we unleashed our inner photographers, striking pose after pose – sweet, cool, and everything in between. Even as mere shadows, our competitive spirit burned bright.

Many people have found a suitable angle to sit and watch the sunset. Many of the angles we see look lonely. I don't know if the atmosphere is taking us away or if we really feel that way. Now the sound of our conversation has quieted down. Many people are staring at the sun, many people are staring at their phone screens. And then the last light disappeared over the horizon. We walked together until we were all together to walk back to the tent.

The most stunning moment, however, arrives after the sun dips below the horizon, casting vibrant twilight hues that illuminate the scene for a brief period. Initially, photographers may scatter in different directions, seeking the perfect angle. But once they find their rhythm, their fingers dance across the camera buttons, capturing the fleeting beauty. This is a truly breathtaking spectacle, and those who have never witnessed it should take the time to observe. You, too, will fall in love with this magical hour.

That night, we gathered around a campfire, enjoying a simple meal of dried pork, Chinese sausage, and chili paste. As the cool night air settled in, we resumed our conversation, the stars twinkling brightly above us. The ground was too wet and muddy for us to venture out, so we admired the night sky from the comfort of our tents. However, we soon discovered that leeches had taken advantage of the darkness to hitch a ride on our feet, causing much shrieking and scrambling.

That night, we slept fitfully, tossing and turning as the temperature plummeted. The ground was unbearably cold, even with the multiple layers of clothing, sleeping bags, and socks we wore. We huddled together, shivering and barely moving until morning.

The air was still cool and chilly from the wind, making many people reluctant to wake up. The three of us who didn't want to sleep anymore went out to the cliff edge before the light came. As the sun began to shine, other groups of people started to wake up. We began to see the view and the fog that drifted in periodically. Although it wasn't much, it made us feel that it was worth waking up early to see this kind of atmosphere.

We returned to the tent to find the other members already awake and ready for breakfast. We quickly ate and packed up our belongings, but we wasted a lot of time going back and forth to the "deceptive cliff" or "cliff hanging legs." Both individuals and groups took countless photos, and those being photographed kept changing poses. If no one had intervened, we would have stayed there for much longer.

We retraced our steps, starting on a smooth path that we were already familiar with. We walked and talked the whole way, only stopping to take photos. We didn't feel tired yet, so we continued walking until we reached a point where we had to descend. Many people stopped to rest, but the two of us walked ahead, with May leading the way and Jade following closely behind. We saw a parked "itthakarn" (a type of Thai vehicle), but the path we were walking on gradually narrowed, with trees blocking the way. The man who was walking ahead of us disappeared without a trace.

And then she began to feel uneasy. She stopped and waited until Jade came closer. Suddenly, something unexpected happened. Out of nowhere, May raised her hand and brushed against a clump of leaves. Within seconds, her hand was covered in several swollen spots. It felt like tiny needles were pricking her, causing her to scream involuntarily. Could it be that she had touched a stinging nettle? This realization made them turn back towards the fork in the path they had just passed, as they believed they had taken the wrong turn.

We repeatedly shouted the names of the other members, but there was no response. We could only speed up our pace until we started to see the others. We continued to shout, but no one responded or paid attention to us until we arrived and tried to tell everyone that we were lost.

Everyone turned around and said they thought we had already taken the motorcycle taxi, while we were about to tell them the details, everyone ran to surround Am who was bitten and sucked blood by 3 leeches in the same hole and another foot was also bitten by another leech, which seemed to be bitten the most in the group. Then my father told everyone to check by taking off their shoes. I must say that I have never seen so many leeches on my feet. But Ji seemed to be too relaxed to walk and eat snacks without being excited about anything.

We then took the same old Isuzu truck to the vegetable plot that served as a firebreak. The return journey was no different from the arrival, as we were on the same bumpy, dusty road. We endured the swaying and tilting for a while longer, under the scorching sun, until we finally reached our destination. Before we started helping, we ate our packed lunch and were ready to get to work.

This firebreak vegetable plot was born from the idea of the villagers that since they had to come to rake and remove grass at the firebreak anyway, why not turn it into a vegetable plot? That's why there is a vegetable plot here that rotates different types of vegetables, and tourists can also stop by to buy pesticide-free vegetables here.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Upon arrival, we wasted no time and immediately began assisting. Those skilled in digging took up shovels, while those with less strength helped plant seeds. Everyone contributed without being told what to do, working diligently together.

After planting vegetables in the first plot, we moved on to digging a new plot to plant the young vegetable seedlings in the next plot. Those who still had energy continued digging, while those with lighter hands helped to carefully place the young seedlings in the soil. This was no easy task and took some time. As we worked, we chatted and laughed intermittently until we finally finished. After watering the seedlings, we walked back to the Isuzu pickup truck.

Beside us, there was a small stream that we crossed and felt very refreshed. Ji was the first to jump into the water, and the rest of us followed without hesitation. The water was cool and refreshing, even though the sun was strong. We played for a while before taking an "itthak" car into the village. My father was afraid that we wouldn't have enough water to bathe, so he took us to bathe at his house. We were all refreshed. After that, we packed our things and took a car back to Bangkok.

Not just the destination

The Beauty of Nature and Unexpected Friendships

The text describes the unexpected joy and camaraderie discovered during a nature outing. The author emphasizes the surprising depth and ease of communication among the six individuals, despite their diverse backgrounds and the presence of only one male among five females. The experience highlights the transformative power of nature in fostering unexpected connections and shared experiences.

This trip brought together a group of people who, despite their differences, found themselves connected in a way that remains a mystery. Though their backgrounds and experiences varied greatly, the two days and one night they spent together created memories and conversations that will resonate for a long time to come.

Gleanings

This was the first time I had traveled in a van with only six people. We took a long nap from Bangkok to Loei. I was probably the only one who was afraid to take pictures at the cliff with my legs hanging over the edge. So I ended up being the photographer for many of the pictures. We tried to help my friend get some cool pictures, and it seemed like she started to enjoy posing for the camera once she got used to it.

As we sat in the car on the way back, the sun was scorching hot and intense. Our car didn't have a sunshade like the other one, so we had to find something we could use around us at that moment. And then we looked at each other and realized that this was what would help us shield ourselves from the sun. The media that served as a mat to sit on immediately changed its role to become a roof.

As we took turns showering, the papaya salad that Ji had been craving throughout the journey arrived. Accompanied by fried eggs, sun-dried pork, and a basket of sticky rice, the feast was devoured as if nothing had ever been on the plates. The papaya salad was truly exceptional.

This trip, as mentioned, had one young man amidst five women. However, believe it or not, the five women's poses couldn't compete with the lone man. It's unclear where he found all those poses, but he managed to capture multiple angles from a single spot, constantly changing his pose and leaving the photographer struggling to keep up. Despite my best efforts, I eventually had to concede defeat and give up. We joked that whoever had the most photos would have to pay for the extra trip expenses.

This young man is not only a model himself, but also a stylist for others, arranging poses and finding props for them. However, the girls are not to be outdone, as many of them are quite mischievous and try to pose for the photos. But there are also many poses that the photographer can pose better than the model. But there's nothing better than having Dad agree and do what we tell him to do. Come on, jump, jump!

Six people who were filled with joy and fun throughout the trip. If we have the chance, we would love to gather this group again for another trip.

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