Invisible Light

This may be the shortest travelogue I have ever written, but it is also the one that has made me learn and understand the meaning of "nature" more. It took us no more than two hours to climb from the starting point to the last waterfall, but the feelings we encountered during the journey were much more than that. Perhaps the discovery of new perspectives from familiar surroundings is happening all the time, just as we return to pay attention to and care about something that we once thought had been lost to time.

This post is written with the best of intentions. If there are any errors or if you require additional information, please feel free to comment, suggest, or ask questions. We welcome all feedback. Thank you.

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(1)

As a child, I visited this place, a forest that seemed like a vast community of trees. In my innocent mind, I didn't understand the significance of this ecosystem. Forests seemed distant from my home, and all I knew was that trees provided clean air.
Today, I return to this same forest, not for an arduous hike, but to witness how it has transformed from my childhood perception.

(2)

The scorching heat of the day was tempered by the shade of trees lining the path. Although our group arrived in the late afternoon, there was still ample time to leisurely ascend to the final waterfall.

The dense bamboo forest welcomed us, but the sound of footsteps from the returning crowd urged us to quicken our pace to reach the destination before the upper waterfall closed.

(3)

The cascading waters of the seven waterfalls, from "Wung Maccha" to "Pha Namtok," "Ok Nang Phee Seu," "Dong Phrueksa," and "Phu Pha Erawan," beckoned me to explore their depths. With a limited time of approximately one and a half hours to traverse the nearly three-kilometer roundtrip ascent, I meticulously scanned the names of each waterfall, ensuring I wouldn't miss any scenic wonders along the way. Aware that access to the fifth tier would be restricted after 3:30 PM, we wasted no time in embarking on our journey.

As I passed "Wung Maccha," the emerald-hued waters captivated me, prompting me to pause and capture their beauty with my camera. The spacious area surrounding the waterfall was abuzz with laughter and joy as visitors reveled in the refreshing waters. While the second tier wasn't our ultimate destination, it served as a poignant reminder that true happiness lies not in reaching the farthest point, but in finding contentment in the company we keep and the places we choose to explore.

(4)

We strolled leisurely, as the distance between the first and fourth floors was not significant, and the path was less challenging than anticipated. We narrowly passed the closing time control sign at the fourth-floor staff booth. We now had ample time to wander and take pictures at our leisure. However, complacency could jeopardize our timely arrival at our destination.

We began to realize that the distance from the fourth to the fifth waterfall seemed longer than any other. We navigated the islands, soaking our shoes in the water. Additionally, muscle fatigue presented a formidable obstacle. Failure to adequately prepare one's body before hiking can lead to injuries, regardless of the trail's difficulty.

We rested briefly upon spotting the distant sign for the fifth waterfall. We were confident that we would soon overcome our fear and continue our journey.

(5)

We swiftly traversed the fifth and sixth waterfalls, our hearts pounding with anticipation for the grand finale. However, a formidable obstacle lay ahead: a massive boulder that demanded a slow and cautious ascent using our hands and feet. The slippery moss clinging to the damp rock threatened to send us tumbling down, but our unwavering courage propelled us forward.

We encountered numerous international groups along the way, some with young children who fearlessly navigated the challenging terrain. One foreign child remarked to his father that this experience surpassed any other he had encountered, fueling our eagerness to witness the final waterfall in all its glory.

After a grueling climb, we were greeted by the sight of the Emerald Pool, its welcoming sign beckoning us to embrace its beauty. We shed our sweat and fatigue upon reaching our long-awaited destination. The success we achieved through unwavering determination and self-belief was the ultimate reward.

(6)

The long whistle from the officer startled us once again, even though we had only just begun to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere. However, it made us realize the true meaning of the journey. The images of people with smiles seemed to be the only thing I clearly remembered. The laughter mixed with the care for each other was the driving force that gave us the strength to reach our destination. I took a deep breath and looked up at the nature in front of me. Who created this forest and kept it alive until today? Who takes care of the forest and ensures its survival? If the answer is not a single person, then the forest can only survive with the help of its inhabitants. We are all temporary intruders, merely stepping in to admire the beauty of nature and then turning back. We may leave footprints for wild animals to trample on, or carbon dioxide for trees to photosynthesize. We may be the key variable that changes nature. I have come to understand the meaning of "forest" from a different perspective. The forest is more than just a habitat for wildlife; it is a breeding ground for happiness that many people lose when they leave the forest. The forest may be like the sunlight shining down from the sky. Even though we have never touched it, we can clearly feel its changes.

Thank you