After a long hiatus from traveling due to a mountain of work, the perfect timing for our trip finally arrived. We planned a trip to Loei province, which I had visited frequently but never had the chance to experience the cold weather with my loved one. This time, we were determined to make the most of our trip.

We embarked on our journey on January 2nd, 2018, driving straight to Loei province.

The journey went as planned. We arrived at Phu Kradueng District, Loei Province around 10:00 PM. We intended to find accommodation on the spot, but we were reluctant to spend money on a few hours of sleep. So, we stopped at the PTT gas station at Pha Nok Khao. We opened the windows slightly, reclined the seats, and slept in the darkness of the gas station.

The alarm on my phone went off at 4:00 AM, as planned. I had actually woken up earlier but couldn't get up due to being curled up on the car seat for several hours and my advancing age. I gathered my courage and got up, then woke my partner. We used the bathroom at the gas station to wash our faces and brush our teeth. The temperature must have been around 10 degrees Celsius. Needless to say, the water was freezing cold. It was so cold that our hands and faces went numb. I went into the 7-Eleven to buy coffee to wake up my brain with caffeine and then went to find breakfast. Of course, our destination was the familiar "Jek Kim."

We arrived at the restaurant as soon as it opened, the rice was still hot but the food was not ready yet. We asked the staff what was available, and they told us there were two options: braised pork and stewed vegetables. We decided to share both dishes to avoid the risk of one of them being unappetizing.

Fortunately, the deliciousness of Uncle Kim's food has not diminished over time. We are therefore fully prepared to tackle the mountain after a satisfying meal!

Upon arrival at the park, pay the entrance fee as required by law.

Parking is available on-site. Feel free to bring your car and park it safely and securely.

We decided to take a break for 3 days and 2 nights.

Those who are worried about not having a place during the festival can register for a reservation on the website or walk in at any time.

Officials will open the entrance at 7:00 AM. If you have already booked and paid online, you can proceed to queue at counter 1. We presented the payment slip to the official and then went to register for porter services. The service charge here is 30 baht per kilogram. Is it expensive? No, not at all. If you don't believe me, try walking up the mountain yourself and see how difficult it is.

We had porters carry our tents up the mountain while we each carried a backpack with our sleeping bag and air mattress. It was time to go!

I will not review the journey in detail as I have already done so in a previous post. You can read it here: https://th.readme.me/p/5565.

The steep climb of Sam Haek lived up to its name, leaving us breathless. However, the morning trek was rewarded not only with fresh, cool air but also with stunning views.

Despite the arduous climb to the summit of Mount Sam Haek, breathtaking views await to alleviate the fatigue.

After a grueling climb to Sam Haek, we were practically crawling. We decided to take a well-deserved break at our usual spot.

This establishment is favored for its scenic vistas, allowing patrons to bask in the sunlight for the purpose of photosynthesis and the generation of vital energy.

The watermelon here is expensive due to the distance they have to carry it up, but I assure you it is delicious, sweet, and cold, perfect for quenching your thirst and fatigue.

Our arduous journey has finally brought us halfway to "Sam Kok Don".

The view here is better than other waterfalls due to its height and angle, offering a breathtaking panorama that soothes the weariness of the journey. It is no wonder that this waterfall is a popular spot for visitors to rest on the rocks and admire the natural beauty.

Our respite was short-lived, for the journey continued unabated. We trudged onward, the weight of our bags and belongings seeming to grow heavier with each step. Our destination, the Back of Beyond, loomed ahead, a daunting prospect that sapped our strength with every stride. The path we traversed was a relentless assault on our weary legs, forcing us to pause more frequently to catch our breath.

And finally, we have reached the last checkpoint, the grand finale: the dreaded "Sam Krae"! Just a little groan and I'll die. Hahahaha.

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The text you provided is in Thai and describes a personal experience of visiting a place called "Sam." The writer describes the place as being a problem for visitors, but also as being a beautiful and enjoyable place to visit. The writer also mentions two people they met during their visit.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

The author expresses admiration for a person who collected garbage while descending a mountain. They believe that such responsible behavior should be praised and encouraged. The author also mentions that collecting 1 kg of garbage can earn one the title of "Phu Kradueng Protector," but emphasizes that the true motivation should be a love for nature.

After a long and arduous journey, we finally reached the summit of Phu Kradueng National Park. Following tradition, we took a photo with the sign that reads "Once I was a conqueror of Phu Kradueng." However, we decided to take the photo on our way back down, as we were exhausted and just wanted to rest. (In hindsight, we probably shouldn't have carried so much luggage.)

While taking a break, I happened to see someone taking pictures with a tree. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a maple tree (which is why I chose this month to take pictures with it). At first, we agreed to do it on our way back because we were too lazy to get up. But my eyes led my heart to walk my body under the maple tree. Without further ado, I dragged my boyfriend to take pictures with me.

My girlfriend is practically a maple tree nymph, with a face as radiant as a blooming maple flower. The maple leaves are so large, you wouldn't believe it unless you compared them to my girlfriend's face!

After admiring the beauty until their fatigue subsided, they continued their journey on the back of the elephant.

Here is the translation of the provided text:

In total, we will walk approximately 8 km to reach the camp, divided into a 5 km uphill climb (which I believe is actually longer) and another 3 km on the ridge to reach the camp.

Dragging our feet, barely able to lift them, and almost flinging our bags away… we finally arrived. (Whew!)

The sight of the camp felt like heaven. Tears almost fell. I was so tired and sore, all I wanted to do was collapse and sleep. ... When we arrived, we waited for our porters to catch up. We arrived around 2:00 PM, and the porters arrived at 4:00 PM. We set up our tents and rested for a while before heading to Pha Mak Duk to watch the sunset. ... The roundtrip hike to Pha Mak Duk is 6 km, so plan your time accordingly to avoid missing the sunset.

Arriving earlier than scheduled (as if there was still energy left to run), let's take a picture as proof of our visit... After taking the picture, it's time to find a suitable seat to wait and watch the sunset defy the cold.

The following is a translation of the provided text from Thai to English, adhering to the specified guidelines:

We didn't choose seats close to the edge of the cliff (actually, I wanted to go, but my boyfriend was growling at me). But that's okay, the view from our seats is just as beautiful.

The sun hid behind the clouds for a while, as if shy, before finally emerging. As soon as it broke free, it quickly dipped behind the mountains, disappearing with the speed of light.

Awaiting the sunset with a cold baked potato, the chilling wind blowing as if it fears we will rot, immersing us in its coldness.

Farewell, the last light of the day....

4:00 AM

The familiar sound of the alarm clock went off at the set time. He said that if we wanted to go see the sunrise, we had to gather at the command center by 5:00 AM. As someone who has been there before, I know that the cold is a major obstacle to waking up. So I had to set my alarm for 4:00 AM to give myself enough time to wake up to the repeated alarms (I had to get up and turn it off quickly so as not to disturb the neighbors who were still sleeping). We gathered together as planned, following the announcement over the loudspeakers, and then quickly set off for the Nakaen Cliff to watch the sunrise in the morning. Before we left, we donated blood to the leeches for good luck... It's still cold in the winter!

Upon arrival, I instructed my partner to secure a spot while I purchased hot coffee for both of us to combat the chilling temperature of the swallow's cliff.

The sun's rays are yet to warm us, and we are on the verge of freezing to death. Our emotions are akin to those of a fish in a freezer.

The object you see before you is not a new type of winter coat, but rather our very own authentic sleeping bag. Wrapped up like this, if you're still cold, I don't know what else to say.

This morning, before embarking on a long journey, I stopped by to pay respects to the Buddha for good luck. Hooray!

The journey on the back of the mountain was as hellish as before. To see how it was, you can refer to the previous review.

The following is a translation of the provided text from Thai to English:

"During this winter season, there are no waterfalls to be seen. If there are any, it's as if the faucet is not completely closed. This may disappoint those who want to venture in to see the waterfalls, which are many kilometers away. In any case, it's best to make a decision before walking in order to plan your energy expenditure."

The long walk finally brought us to Pha Lomsak just in time to catch the last light of the day. My legs were still functioning, but my girlfriend's were completely shot. We debated for a while whether to stay and watch the sunset or head back. With her injured legs, we wouldn't be able to move quickly, and we were worried about getting back too late. In the end, we decided to head back. Just reaching this place was enough to make the trip worthwhile.

Date: January 4, 2018

The time had come to bid farewell to the beloved mountain. Waking up in the morning, I was startled to find blood continuously flowing from my face. Later, I discovered the cause of this bleeding: a leech sucking my blood. Today, it was on my face! Oh well, I patched up the wound and started my descent. Before leaving, I took a commemorative photo with the sign.

Not alone today...

The descent today didn't feel lonely because there were fellow travelers, both young and old, walking down together. Some rushed down, while others conserved their energy, fearing they wouldn't make it. Like us, on this descent, we no longer carried our backpacks. We decided to leave them with the porters to carry down. (If anyone wants to use the porter service to carry their belongings down, they must contact them one day before our descent, before 10:00 AM.)

Journey to Chiang Khan

The journey from Phu Kradueng to Chiang Khan is not as far as one might think. It takes about 100 kilometers by car (I didn't realize it would be that far). As we drove, we kept looking for a place to pitch our tent, since we had already bought one. We figured it would be more economical and allow us to soak in the atmosphere.

Our accommodation guide is an expert with extensive experience and exceptional knowledge. We recommend you get to know… Google! We searched until we found "Don Khai Camp Inn." It is located not far from the walking street. However, if you don't have a car, it's probably too far to walk. Therefore, it was my second choice. However, while traveling, I tried to stop by here and there to inquire about prices, but I still wasn't satisfied. (I thought to myself that I would go and have a look first, and if I wasn't satisfied, I would come back and find something closer.) Until I arrived at Don Khai Camp Inn, which, if you don't look carefully, you won't see it.

Turning on the turn signal and pulling in, a thought flashed through my mind: "Oh my god, is this really it?"

Upon turning into the alley, there was no way to reverse the car, so I decided to take a chance and stop by. From the outside, the place seemed completely unremarkable. Little did I know, something beyond my wildest expectations awaited me inside…

Here are the amenities: hot water, electricity for charging (donation-based), and, I must confess, free breakfast! 5555+

We went to see a view that we didn't expect to see, as we didn't know they had two floors! The first floor is as seen in the picture above, the second floor you have to go down the stairs. ... I can tell you that for the price of 100 baht per night, the view is more than worth it.

The following three photos will be taken in the morning as I did not take any photos in the evening after setting up the tent and going to the market. The view across the river is Laos. In the morning, when I opened the tent door, the morning mist welcomed me (depending on the weather conditions on each day). During my visit, the weather was cool and comfortable, making me want to sit, lie down, and enjoy the atmosphere without going anywhere. If you are driving and looking for a place to camp, I highly recommend checking this place out first. You might not want to look anywhere else. In addition to the view mentioned above, the owner is extremely friendly, the bathrooms are clean, and the price is reasonable. Go for it, trust me!

Back to that day...

Strolling through the bustling market felt like stepping into a vintage city...

While the city's beauty and cool weather are undeniably appealing, its charm and allure seem to be diminishing over time.

We wandered around under the bright lights, shopping for food, until we were exhausted.

Let's return to the tent and resume our religious activities tomorrow morning.

January 5, 2018

5:00 AM: Rise and perform religious rituals.

A must-do activity when visiting this place is offering alms to monks in the morning. To experience both happiness and merit, don't forget to participate in this auspicious act.

Along the walking street, there are sticky rice and various foods available for tourists, which may be a bit inconvenient, but it is better than having to prepare it yourself.

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After completing the merit-making ceremony, we returned to our tents to prepare for our last day of sightseeing, as we were completely out of money! We were so broke that our empty wallets echoed with the sound of "broke!"

After a delicious breakfast prepared by the staff at Donkhai Camp Inn, we packed our bags and set off on our next adventure.

While popular tourist destinations can be crowded and uninspiring, seeking recommendations from local sources can lead to hidden gems. In this case, the accommodation owner suggested numerous options, but the most accessible by car was the impressive Big Buddha statue.

This place is relatively quiet and not crowded with tourists (when I visited). However, it seems to be a popular tourist spot due to the abundance of restaurants. The road leading up to the viewpoint is quite steep and challenging, so it's advisable to check your vehicle's condition before attempting the climb.

After paying respects to the Buddha, we felt at ease and it was time to say goodbye to the beloved city of Chiang Khan. We don't know when we'll be back, but we're grateful for the wonderful journey we had in Loei Province. Goodbye.

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