Chapter 3: Sergeant Bo's House

A Continuation of Baan Rak Thai

Episode 1: Pang Ung

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Episode 2: Baan Rak Thai

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The buzz surrounding "Ten Baht Noodles, Million Views: Eating Noodles While Admiring the Sea of Mist"

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The journey from Ban Rak Thai to Ban Jabo, spanning 70 kilometers, took nearly two hours. We refueled at the same gas station near the intersection leading to Pang Ung, paying 40 baht for an additional liter of fuel.

We arrived at noon and the place was packed. We decided to find accommodation first and settled on Ja Tho's place, located right across from the noodle shop. It was a wooden cabin for 500 baht/night, good for two people. The bathroom was shared, and there was electricity but no fan or air conditioning, which wasn't necessary anyway. All we needed was a warm blanket. The place also had a camping ground.

In addition to the 2-3 homestays in the village, there is also the option to sleep with local families for 300 baht per person. The village has a small petrol station and a few shops. Most tourists who visit the village come to eat noodles and then leave. The noodle shop is open from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM, after which the entire village becomes quiet.

I just found out that there is a tour to climb the cliff to see the sea of mist, which is Phu Pha Moke for 100 baht/person. You can contact the owner of each homestay or contact Brother Wat, the owner of Ja Tho.

Since we arrived at noon, there was nothing to do but lie down and wait for nightfall, hoping for a sky full of stars. We prayed for a sea of fog in the morning. That night, the stars were abundant, more than anywhere else on our trip. We lay down and watched the stars in peace and quiet. For dinner, we ordered food from the owner, who delivered it to our accommodation in the evening.

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The final morning concluded beautifully. Although the sea of mist was less dense than the previous day, it was still a breathtaking sight. We had booked a tour to Phupa Mok with Mr. Wut, who arranged for us to meet at 6:30 AM. There were only two other people on our tour, both from different homestays. The hike took only 15 minutes, but the terrain was challenging, with sharp rocks and limited space to stand. It is highly recommended to wear sneakers for this climb.

The climb was worth it. We saw more fog than at Ban Ja Bo, and we had a panoramic view of the entire village. If the fog had been thicker than it was the day before, it would have been even more beautiful.

After spending approximately one hour on the foggy mountain, the group descended to the house of Sergeant Bo. The fog persisted until around 11:00 AM.

I was planning to go down and have some noodles, but it's still crowded. I'll go find a chill spot to watch the fog first.

A short walk from Baan Jabo Restaurant, you'll find Dek Doi Coffee, a café with delicious coffee and a peaceful atmosphere. It offers stunning views of the mist-shrouded mountains, unlike the nearby noodle shop, which attracts most tourists but lacks the same tranquil ambiance.

When the number of customers at the noodle shop started to decrease, we returned to eat noodles at this legendary shop. Luckily, there was still some sea mist left. Sitting there eating noodles with our legs dangling, it felt strangely thrilling. 55

The top picture shows the camping ground of Sergeant To. The bottom picture shows the five houses where we stayed.

The journey has come to an end. It was a truly perfect trip, encountering everything I had hoped for. To those who have yet to experience it, I urge you to go. Solo travel is an option. *It is recommended to visit during the winter season.* May you encounter the same beauty that I did. *One day, I will return.*

Note: On the way back to Mae Hong Son, I refueled near the entrance to Ban Rak Thai for another 110 baht, bringing the total fuel cost to 190 baht.