(1)
As a cold snap descended upon Thailand in December, goosebumps erupted across the nation as people braced themselves for the impending weather change. News reports warned of a low-pressure system approaching the southern region within the next 48 hours, potentially impacting the entire country. Strong monsoon winds, alternating with weaker gusts, could cause a significant drop in temperature and trigger prolonged thunderstorms. The newscaster concluded with a cautionary note about the potential for flooding.

The news report was similar to the daily weather forecast, but things took an unexpected turn when I glanced at the flight schedule on the screen. It was the same time that the young woman and I were scheduled to depart for the mountain known for its frigid temperatures. We were about to embark on a journey to Chiang Mai in a matter of minutes, aboard an airline with a red lion logo.

The sky, as seen through the airplane window, did not look bright. The gloominess of the sky made us start to feel anxious about the situation ahead. No one could know how much the monsoon would hinder our journey. I could only keep checking the weather on my mobile phone, which was changing all the time. Not long after, the plane we were on waved goodbye to the sky and lowered its wings to the land we were aiming for, right on schedule.

The girl and I walked from the airport to the public transportation service point. Chiang Mai, where I had left my footprints in my travelogue ten years ago, remained unchanged. The red trucks were still running thick, and the melodious voices of the northern women speaking in their local dialect were still pleasing to the ear. As I stepped onto the tiny minibus with my luggage on my shoulder, I received warm hospitality from my fellow passengers. On the way from the airport to my accommodation, I couldn't help but think about the advantages of saying goodbye to the bustling capital to meet new people who truly have the same kind of heart. If it is true that all humans have good hearts and always help each other as long as they are alive, then perhaps the world would be a better place without the competition for power and resources.

I arrived at my accommodation safely. The rain did not fall, the sun was not strong, and the air was cool and comfortable. I went out to explore the temples and monasteries near my accommodation, praying to the Buddha for good luck to make my journey the next day convenient and without any obstacles, as I was worried. I lit incense and candles and prayed at three temples, and it seemed that my worries began to fade. I stopped walking and hurried back to my accommodation immediately. The rain started to fall softly. The relative humidity made us have to rush to take shelter under the eaves. Bathing, lying down, and resting are the best activities to do at this time.

I have begun to let go and not expect the initial situation that will occur. The swirling thoughts are shutting themselves down as the system starts to malfunction. Before resting my eyes on the soft bed, I glanced at a message on Facebook in a page that said, "The advantage of starting from zero is that there is no worry - Steve Jobs." The processing starts again from zero tonight. Even though I don't know what tomorrow will be like, I will stop worrying for now. As for what tomorrow will be like, we will deal with it as the situation arises.

(2)

The piercing sound of the alarm clock jolted me awake at five in the morning. The thunderous symphony of the storm had subsided, leaving behind a crisp, cool air. My companion and I emerged from our lodgings, eager to embrace the refreshing atmosphere. We had a seven o'clock rendezvous with the Chiang Mai-Tha Ton bus. After purchasing our tickets, we secured window seats, eager to soak in the scenery. The bus, unlike those in other cities, required all windows to be closed. This was not due to concerns about air pollution, but rather the bone-chilling temperature outside, which rivaled the frigid air of a convenience store's beverage cooler.

The bus journey was a nerve-wracking experience, with sharp turns and steep inclines that sent shivers down our spines. We traversed through dense forests, winding mountain roads, and police checkpoints, repeating the same route multiple times. For nearly three hours, we sat upright, arms crossed, enduring the cold. Finally, the bus safely delivered us to the pick-up point for shared taxis that would take us up the mountain.

We entered the temple with the student who had shared the bus ride with us. A camaraderie formed within the temple walls as we pooled our money to hire a shared taxi to ascend the mountain for this impromptu tour. The driver, Uncle Chorn, started strong for the first three kilometers before leading us onto winding roads that demanded the skillful maneuvering of a drift king. Uncle Chorn, who doubled as our driver and tour guide, navigated the sharp turns with the screech of accelerating engines, prompting me to grip the seat firmly. Meanwhile, Uncle Chorn drove through the pouring rain on the slippery road, shrouded in dense fog, with unwavering confidence.

Upon seeing the road sign indicating less than two kilometers remaining, our anxieties significantly eased. Perhaps it was due to the news of a tourist vehicle losing control on the Doi Ang Khang ascent route the previous week, prompting me to meticulously research the route before embarking on the journey. Nevertheless, Uncle Chorn safely navigated us to the agricultural station, even cracking a joke by blowing steam at us before commencing the tour.

The tour guide drove us to various points of interest at the agricultural station, with the schedule determined by our prior agreement. We began our walking tour at the Royal Project shop, which offered a variety of local products, souvenirs, and a café. We then visited a temperature-controlled dome showcasing cold-climate flowers, where we captured photos of cherry blossoms drenched in the intermittent rain. Our journey continued through a bonsai garden and various activity areas.

The second stop was Garden 80, which houses restaurants, accommodations, and cafes. My female companion and I took a break here to sip coffee and write a postcard, following the theme of the sign posted on the bamboo backdrop. Soon, another heavy downpour arrived, forcing us to admire Garden 80 from afar before braving the rain to our next destination.

The third stop was a plum orchard. I noticed small plum blossoms drooping with raindrops. Some of the plum blossoms had fallen from the tree to the ground, while others were still holding up to the rain. We took pictures of the plum orchard for a long time before the heavy raindrops drove us into the dome filled with vegetables. It seemed like it was going to rain heavily, so we decided that the girl and I would go back to our accommodation, while Uncle Chon and the students would go on a tour of the 2,000-acre tea plantation, strawberry farm, and viewpoint before the day was over. We waved goodbye to the friendship that had just begun three hours earlier, along with the good memories we had made together along the way. I wished Uncle Chon and the students a safe journey back down the mountain and home.

(3)
Today, I encountered numerous experiences that I yearn to express on paper, while my mind remains sharp and my heart overflows with positive emotions.

The lesson of living today is to discover the happiness that lies ahead in every breath, no matter how difficult it may be to overcome the obstacles along the way.

Despite the relentless rain and the bone-chilling cold that numbed our bodies, the fear that lurked within our hearts, sending shivers down our spines with every step, we found an unexpected joy that grew with each stride we took.

We shed the tedious feeling of having to put on a straight face and listen to our boss swear on Monday mornings. We let go of the relationships of people who are not important in our lives. We immerse ourselves in friendly thoughts mixed with good stimuli that help keep our hearts warm all the way. We have discovered the meaning of living in the present, so that we can continue our dreams and do what we love forever.

The crisp air invites us to break free from the shackles of our deceptive routines. The diverse individuals we encounter along the way prompt us to reflect on our fundamental needs at the micro level. We must strive to find contentment and diligently seek our life's purpose within a specific timeframe. Let us not squander our precious seconds on monetary values that come at the expense of our true desires.

The station that my father built inspires us to reflect on the boundless royal grace.

The station built by the father opened our eyes to the suffering that has eased, transforming into a new, self-sufficient way of life for the modern villagers.

The station that my father built helped to chip away at our selfishness and allowed us to understand the true meaning of life. It was a magical land that produced the fruits of goodness, which we were able to witness before our lives truly strayed from our goals.

Inadvertently, I fell asleep with my pen still brimming with ink. What further excitement tomorrow may hold, I cannot say. Though the heavens may roar and the ominous fog linger, we remain resolute in our pursuit of the horizon, whether through the stroke of a pen or the determined steps of our journey.

(4)
The shrill ring of Uncle Chol's phone woke us up at the crack of dawn. Five in the morning was the appointed time, and we met in front of our lodgings. Uncle Chol introduced us to two new friends, another instance of camaraderie blossoming in the pre-dawn darkness, only to fade away as the rain subsided in the late morning.

We arrived at the path leading to the viewpoint at 5:30 AM. Rumor had it that we should try the Yunnan rice porridge first, so my female companion and I wasted no time in devouring the energizing snack before concluding with a sip of tea.

Before leaving the shops for the viewpoint, we overheard a large traveler claiming that the sky was overcast this morning and that it would be impossible to see the sunrise. This was likely due to the relentless rain that had poured down all night. Curiosity and doubt compelled us to go and see for ourselves, and as the large traveler had predicted, our view was obstructed.

The viewpoint we reached was teeming with people, all holding selfie sticks and standing on rocks shrouded in thick fog. Some had set up tripods, waiting patiently to capture the moment the sunlight pierced through the mist. We were among them, standing expectantly, filled with hope. However, by seven o'clock, we were forced to abandon our hopes as the sun remained hidden behind the dense fog.

We returned to the meeting point to continue our journey. On the shared taxi, I struck up a conversation with my new companions, asking if they had visited the viewpoint. The young man replied that he had known in advance that the sky would be overcast today, and that the heavy rain the previous night had made the fog too thick to see any beautiful views. I later learned that the young man was a local, and it seemed that this was not his first time visiting the viewpoint without seeing the view.

(5)
It seems that our life's journey often involves overcoming numerous obstacles to reach our goals. However, some obstacles, once reached, do not yield the desired results, while others require us to start over repeatedly. I recall the words of a brother who once said, "There is no such thing as wasted time on a journey. We travel to learn about the world and ourselves." These words may hold truth. Perhaps one day we will understand.

Uncle Chon is leading us through the mist to the next checkpoint at the strawberry farm. If ripe and fragrant strawberries are our goal at the next base, then we are on the right track.

My trip to Doi Ang Khang was fueled by the desire to pluck and savor plump strawberries from the Royal Project's gardens. However, upon inquiring with the farmers, I learned that the strawberry plants were not bearing their usual abundance of red, juicy fruits. I came to understand that a portion of the harvest had already been collected and delivered to the Royal Project earlier that morning.

As tourists, we should refrain from picking strawberries ourselves to avoid damaging the crops that local farmers have carefully cultivated. The King has graciously provided this land for the villagers to cultivate, resulting in bountiful harvests. Additionally, he has established a product development center to facilitate the distribution of goods, ensuring that income is distributed equitably among the people.

I look back on my life in the days when we could not yet find the meaning of life. Perhaps it was because we ourselves had not yet thought about the destination that lay ahead. We may have hoped that every strawberry garden would be fresh and ready for us to pick and eat forever. However, in some seasons, strawberries may be sour, or in some periods, fresh strawberries may be transported to a place where we may not be able to buy them again.

If life could begin anew tomorrow, it wouldn't be too difficult. By learning from the experiences of those who have gone before us, we can adjust our methods and paths, and prepare ourselves for the opportunities that lie ahead. Tomorrow, I will rise early and set out to discover the ripe and fragrant strawberries at the Royal Agricultural Project, as I have planned.

Life's path must be adjusted to discover the goals that the heart desires.

(6)
It was time to bid farewell to our friends in the morning. Uncle Chon dropped off our two companions at the agricultural station before taking us down from the steep terrain to ground level. This journey has provided us with a wealth of experiences, some of which can be vividly described due to the overwhelming sense of wonder and joy we felt. As I reflect on the events of this morning, I can't help but feel compelled to record them on the vast expanse of paper before me.

The hour is late, and sleep eludes me. Yet, the mist still hangs heavy, obscuring the landscape as always. The mountain vista is veiled in a sea of clouds, denying us a clear view from above. The morning mist I had dreamt of is now just a memory.

Life often leads us to encounter diverse individuals. Some choose to remain in their familiar routines, opting for the comfort and security of their established nests. However, when the season of migration arrives, they are forced to endure the harshness of winter until the warmth of summer returns.

While some individuals seek the stability and structure of traditional employment, others yearn for the freedom and autonomy of entrepreneurship. Driven by a passion for their craft, these individuals pour their hearts and souls into their work, transforming their ideas into tangible products and services. Through their dedication and perseverance, they build small businesses that blossom into thriving enterprises, leaving an indelible mark on the world. Their ambition extends beyond mere financial success; they aspire to create a legacy, etching their names into the annals of business history.

The wonder of the mist may be hidden behind the mountains. The brave and independent must leave their nests to face the towering mountains ahead. They walk, fall, get up, or run with all their might.

If you are certain that the path ahead is the "right" one, then take the first step. The fog that obscures your vision will eventually dissipate as you discover the beam of faith that shines behind the veil. This will illuminate the path, revealing your true desires.

How long can we hold onto these beautiful memories? Perhaps this is not a question for seasoned travelers who have experienced countless adventures. I can only wave goodbye to the place we once visited and ask myself the same unanswered question once again: