Greetings, after a long hiatus from writing posts, I'm back to share my travel adventures in Thailand. This trip took me back to the same place as my first post, Nan Province. This charming city always beckons me back whenever I have the chance. Even though I've been there multiple times, I never get tired of it because both the city and the people are incredibly welcoming. However, this time was a bit special and more challenging than usual. I got to visit a place I'd never been to before and had been longing to see. I booked my tickets in advance at the end of last year, and ended up with three additional companions, making the trip even more enjoyable.

We arrived at the airport by plane at almost 9 am. We had an appointment to pick up a car at 11 am with Avis to return it on the day of our return before 3 pm (we could return the car 4 hours late for free. Our flight was around 4 pm). While waiting to pick up the rental car, we left our luggage at the rental car counter and took a taxi to the front of the Huen Hom restaurant to find something to eat. However, the restaurant was closed, so we went to another restaurant and walked a little further. Not far away, we found a noodle shop and had 2 bowls each. It was delicious, but I can't remember the name of the restaurant. After we were full, we walked back to Wat Phumin. In this area, there are important places close together, such as Wat Ming Mueang (City Pillar Shrine), Wat Phumin, Wat Phra That Chang Kham, Nan National Museum, Wat Hua Khuang, and the Tourism Service Center. We could walk around comfortably. By the time we found a restaurant to eat and took pictures at Wat Phumin, it was almost 11 am. So we called a taxi to pick us up in front of Wat Phumin. The fare from the airport to the city was 100 baht. There were 4 of us, which was cheaper than taking a songthaew. The taxi uncle was very kind and also offered driving services around Nan province. He has both taxis and songthaews. If you are interested in his services, here is his number: 089-9556537. His fan page is also linked here: https://www.facebook.com/nanrodrubjang/?fref=ts

The rental car was successfully picked up. It was a relatively new City model. The rental included comprehensive insurance for two days, providing peace of mind for a worry-free travel experience.

Day 1: Arrive at Ban San Jaroen, check into the coffee farm homestay, and enjoy the mist at Doi Suan Ya Luang.

We contacted Mr. Kiat, the owner of Doi Suan Ya Luang travel page. Heavy rain had been falling in Nan since we left our dormitory in Bangkok. Mr. Kiat kept us updated on the weather conditions. During the rainy season, vehicles are unable to ascend the mountain due to the poor road conditions. We had to hike from the end of the village's concrete road to the coffee plantation accommodation above. In the early morning, we continued hiking to see the mist on the top of Doi Suan Ya Luang. However, judging from the weather conditions, it seemed like it would rain throughout the day and night. The overcast sky made the chances of seeing the mist slim. Mr. Kiat gave us the option to change our plans and visit another place, or to continue as planned but hike ourselves and carry our own belongings. We might not see the mist as expected, and it was still raining lightly. However, we had come this far and wanted to continue in the hope that the rain would stop and we would be able to see the beautiful mist. We decided to go ahead. Mr. Kiat informed us that we had to hike about 5 km to the accommodation and another 5 km to the top of Doi Suan Ya Luang in the early morning. We thought it wouldn't be too far and that we could manage. We had hiked Mon Jong at the end of last year and were still able to do it. We agreed and parked our car at Mr. Kiat's coffee shop. We then hopped into Mr. Kiat's pickup truck to the starting point of the hike. Due to the slippery and muddy conditions of the trail, Mr. Kiat took us to buy studded mountain shoes that provided good grip and were waterproof. They only cost 70 baht and were a cool vintage yellow color.

(Fresh mountain)

We began our ascent on foot amidst the pouring rain. I refrained from taking pictures along the way for fear of damaging my camera. My brother, Krit, captured this image using his mobile phone.

Photo taken by Krit on the way.

During the hike, we felt hungry and thirsty, having forgotten to bring water. We found edible plants along the way, which Krit helped us collect, including rambutan, guava, and even coffee beans that had ripened before the harvest season. These helped us quench our thirst until we reached our destination. We also gathered bamboo shoots along the way for dinner. The last kilometer featured a natural waterfall with refreshing, drinkable water. The entire hike, including breaks, took over three hours. We felt tired and weighed down by our backpacks, even more so than when we climbed Mon Jong. This could be because we had to carry our own belongings and the path had several steep sections. Upon reaching the accommodation, we showered and rested as we pleased. Meanwhile, Krit and our aunt, who were waiting at the homestay, prepared dinner for us.

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Krit arranged the prepared dishes on the table lined with banana leaves. Each dish was incredibly appetizing and plentiful, fulfilling the requests of the four hungry girls. It was one of the most satisfying meals of our lives. The homestay where we stayed was a wooden house surrounded by the coffee gardens of the San Jarian villagers. The bathroom was separate from the main house, and the electricity was powered by solar cells, providing light bulbs for the house. It rained all day during our visit, so there was no sunlight to fully charge the solar panels.

After a hearty dinner, the rain continued to fall relentlessly, past eight in the evening. With nothing to do, we decided to call it a night. The social media signal was strong with True, while other networks were intermittent, but we didn't need anything more than a good night's sleep to recover from our fatigue and prepare for the hike up Doi Suan Ya Luang the next day. Due to our bad luck and the seasonal rains, the downpour showed no signs of stopping, so we slept in until morning and didn't make it to the summit. The sound of the rain continued to fall, and we figured there wouldn't be much to see from the top anyway. We woke up, washed our faces, and had breakfast with rice porridge, drip coffee, and caramel milk. After we were full, we packed our things and headed back down the mountain.

The descent was more comfortable than the ascent, taking approximately two hours. Reaching the guide's parking lot brought a sense of relief. Mr. Kiat drove us to play in the water at Nam Tok Rua, a large natural spring that flows as a small waterfall year-round. The water was crystal clear and refreshingly cool.

After having fun playing in the water, we went to take a shower and change clothes at P'Krit's house. Before leaving, P'Krit invited us to try La Pien coffee at the shop where we had parked our car. The coffee tasted very rich and delicious.

Cocoa, green tea, latte, cappuccino, every cup is delicious.

The most famous is civet coffee.

Although this trip did not reach the intended destination, the journey itself offered more than expected. Next time, I must make amends and reach the summit of Suan Ya Luang.

A 10 km hike up and down the mountain to eat, sleep, and listen to the rain. Although it was tiring and seemed uneventful, it was a happy experience. The camaraderie along the way kept us entertained throughout the journey. Thank you to the guide who took care of us throughout the trip. We will see you again next time. We said goodbye to Brother Krit and continued our journey.

Day Two Sajuk, Sakieang, Piangsao

I have visited Nan many times, and this was one of the places I wanted to visit. However, due to the long distance and poor road conditions, I only recently had the opportunity to come. We booked accommodation in the Sajuk-Sakeaw project, which provides bedding and electricity. There is no accommodation fee, but we can donate to help develop and maintain the facilities to welcome tourists. From Ban San Charoen, we drove towards Pua District, passing through Doi Phu Kha National Park and the Skywalk to Bo Kluea District. At Bo Kluea, we turned left to Chalermprakiet District. The road from Bo Kluea to Chalermprakiet is currently under construction, but when it is finished, it will be another beautiful Skywalk. The journey to Sajuk, Sakeaw, and Piang So can only be made by motorcycle or 4WD vehicle due to the poor road conditions. It takes about four hours to travel from Ban San Charoen to the parking lot. We contacted Mr. Sunthon, a local, for a 4WD vehicle. We parked our car at Khun Nan Nam School, and Mr. Sunthon picked us up as arranged. We arrived at the accommodation very late. The accommodation is located on a tea plantation, and there is no food service. We bought takeaway food in Pua town, which we ate easily. After eating, we went to sleep. The house we stayed in was a concrete house with an ensuite bathroom and a hot water heater. We slept four people in a bed, which was not too crowded. We slept with blankets, and the air was cool and comfortable all night. There may have been a few insects, as we were in the middle of the forest.

This morning, we met with Mr. Sunthorn, who took us on a tour of the project and to a scenic viewpoint. Behind our accommodation, there are terraced rice fields, and further up, there are agricultural plots for growing high-value crops and a commemorative site for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. During her visit in 2004, Her Majesty the Queen observed the encroachment on the forest reserve between Ban Sajuk and Ban Sakeaeng. Concerned about the deforestation, she initiated the establishment of the Ban Sajuk-Sakeaeng Highland Agricultural Development Station Project to restore the headwaters forest to its former glory.

Terraced rice fields near the homestay

We then bid farewell to the staff who looked after the project's accommodation and presented them with a 1,000 baht donation for their support.

Before returning to the parking lot below, Mr. Sunthorn took us to the Ban Piang Sao viewpoint, a hidden gem that is not yet well-known. It is one of the most beautiful viewpoints, with the feeling that the mountain peak is just a stone's throw away. It is located on the way to the "ปิดทองหลังพระ" project, and the scenery along the way is equally stunning.

We have arrived at the "Ban Piang So Viewpoint".

After taking photos to our heart's content, it was time to head back. This is a beautiful place that we must visit again. The view on the way down was stunning, with rice terraces cascading down the mountainside.

Thank you very much, Mr. Sunthorn, for taking us on this trip.

Contact number for the Sajuk Kying Project: 084-8181008

Contact car rental

• Mr. Sunthorn 080-1307423

- Mr. Chai 093-1820618

This trip was amazing. I've loved Nan Province since my first visit, and I can keep going back no matter how many years pass. I've fallen in love with it, what can I do? Although this trip was quite difficult, the accommodation may not have been very comfortable, and the food was not luxurious, my happiness did not decrease with the hardship. It's bound to rain during the rainy season, but luckily the rain stopped just enough for me to see the beautiful views. The fog was especially beautiful in the morning.

Estimated trip expenses

- Round-trip flight tickets during the promotion period cost 1,000 baht per person.

• Rent a car for 2 days at 1580 baht.

- Car oil 600 baht

- Homestay at Rai Kafae, Ban San Charoen, 1,000 baht per person

- Donation for the maintenance of the Sajuk Sakieang project accommodation 1000 baht

• Food costs around 1500 baht.

• The cost of a round-trip car rental from Sakon Nakhon to Sa Kaeo and Phiang Sa is 2,000 baht.

The average total trip cost per person is 3600 baht.

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Thank you.