Chiang Mai - Lampang: Missing him, embracing the cold, loving the rain...

Chiang Mai - Lamphang: Yearning for the Mountains, Embracing the Cold, and Loving the Rain…

As the sun sets on a Friday, the traffic in Bangkok is at its most chaotic. By the time you reach home, it's already 9 or 10 pm. You long to escape the cacophony of honking horns and revving engines, to immerse yourself in the rustling of leaves, the cascading waterfalls, the gentle patter of rain, and the peaceful chimes of temple bells. Don't just daydream about it; let's turn your desires into reality. Come along as we embark on a journey to…

We didn't need to prepare much because we were traveling alone. Just a bag of clothes, a camera, and a full tank of gas. The Honda City is very fuel-efficient. We finished work at 6:30 am and immediately packed our things and set off. Our first destination was Lamphang. It takes about 8 hours to travel from Bangkok to Lamphang, but we stopped to sleep halfway because we were very sleepy. (If you are driving at night, it is recommended that you have someone to help you drive, or if you are sleepy, you should stop and sleep for safety reasons.) It took 13 hours to reach Lamphang...

To ensure good luck on this trip, we started by worshiping Buddha and asking for blessings. We couldn't miss this temple because anyone passing by or visiting Lamphang must visit it. That is "Wat Phra That Lampang Luang". Location: https://goo.gl/maps/6aK5MnjMT232

For those who drive, there is a parking lot right in front of the temple entrance. After parking your car, cross the street and you will find the entrance gate. Walk up the stairs to the top. The classic feature is the red brick wall that surrounds the temple. As you walk up the naga stairs to the end, you will have to enter the "khohong gate", which is intricately carved and has become a symbol of Lampang province.

The wonders of this place are a major attraction for both Thai and foreign tourists. Once we entered the church and paid our respects to the Buddha, there was a white canvas stretched across the window, with sunlight streaming through a narrow gap onto the white cloth. Wow! It showed the image of a golden pagoda, the same pagoda that stood outside the church. Amazing!

In reality, when sunlight hits an object, it reflects as a black shadow. However, this is the wonder of the stupa, which appears as if seen by the eye, even though the sound only passes through a small hole in one of the windows.

We have accumulated good deeds and are ready to continue our journey. Our next destination is Doi Inthanon, where we will be camping at Doi Chaua Ya. We have never been here before, so we don't know what to expect. We don't know what the road ahead will be like, what the atmosphere will be like, or if there will be a place for us to sleep. Perhaps this feeling is good in its own way. There is excitement in the journey...

As we drove up the mountain, the air gradually grew cooler. To embrace the refreshing chill, we turned off the air conditioning and rolled down the windows. The crisp air was invigorating, and a light drizzle added to the coolness. Reaching Doi Chaung Ya, our campsite, we were greeted by a breathtaking view of a waterfall cascading down a cliff on the opposite side of the valley. The sound of the waterfall echoed through the air, creating a symphony of nature. "Missing the mountains, embracing the cold, loving the rain," we thought.

After setting up our tent, we indulged in a classic camping meal: a sizzling barbecue. The aroma of grilled meat filled the air as we sat around the fire, enjoying the gentle pitter-patter of rain and the cool 18-degree temperature. It was a moment of pure bliss.

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If you're still hungry, you can walk to the convenience store next to the accommodation. They have tea, coffee, snacks, milk, and butter for sale. However, most people seem to be eating the same thing as us: grilled pork. Afterwards, we took a walk around the area. On the hillside opposite, there are lights illuminating the trees and flowers that the villagers have planted for sale. They are lit up all the time, and it's really beautiful. I don't have any pictures because the ones I took didn't turn out well, so I won't post them. 555...

It's time for bed. See you tomorrow…Zzz

Unzipping the tent to this view every morning would be a dream. The air is incredibly fresh. We wake up, wash our faces, brush our teeth, and take a shower...or not, it's too cold to shower! Then we pack up the tent and head to the top of Doi Inthanon.

Doi Inthanon: We won't elaborate much on this location, as we're unsure what to say. Additionally, we have few photos, and the Kiw Mae Pan Nature Trail was closed during our visit.

Our stay at Doi Inthanon will be brief, as our ultimate destination is Doi Luang Chiang Dao, a considerable distance away. Moreover, access to Doi Luang Chiang Dao is restricted after 6 pm due to the treacherous nature of the mountain road. Therefore, we must depart from Doi Inthanon before noon...

As expected, we arrived after 6 pm, and it was pitch black. We couldn't see any views at all, only the headlights from our car illuminating the path. The road up the mountain was steep and winding, with sharp turns. We had to honk our horn at every bend to warn oncoming traffic, just in case.

The journey from the trailhead to our accommodation took almost an hour due to the slow pace and unfamiliarity with the route. Despite using Google Maps, we encountered a lack of signal and heavy rainfall. As we drove, a torrent of water flowed alongside the path, raising concerns about our safety. A glimmer of hope emerged when headlights from an oncoming vehicle illuminated the distance. We stopped and inquired about the remaining distance to Doi Luang Chiang Dao. The driver informed us that the village was approximately 5 kilometers away. Despite the relief, the 5-kilometer stretch proved to be deceptively long. Upon reaching the village, we inquired about accommodation, as we had not made any prior reservations. A local resident informed us of a vacant room, which we promptly secured, including breakfast. We retired for the night, eager to witness the majestic mountain range that awaited us the following morning.

The view from the ascent to the accommodation was obscured by darkness the previous night. However, upon waking in the morning, we were captivated by the breathtaking scenery. The reality surpassed the countless reviews we had read, with its beauty amplified a hundredfold. The air was pleasantly cool, and a gentle rain fell continuously. Wisps of mist drifted past our cottage, creating an ethereal ambiance.

After enjoying the view and taking some photos, the owner of the homestay brought us breakfast. It was a small pot of rice porridge with various toppings, and it smelled amazing. I couldn't wait to dig in and took a big spoonful, savoring the delicious flavors.

After a satisfying meal, we embarked on a tour of the village to observe the daily lives and activities of its residents. Let's explore their way of life through the following images.

The villagers of Doi Luang Chiang Dao are in the midst of their rice planting season, with the crops nearing harvest. The rice paddies on Doi Luang Chiang Dao are breathtaking, cascading down the slopes and framed by the majestic mountains behind. The scenery evokes a sense of being in a foreign land. The drive down the mountain offers equally stunning views, with the beauty of the landscape continuing along the winding roads.

Thank you to everyone who watched our review. We hope that our review will inspire everyone who is tired of work, tired of city life, tired of traffic jams, tired of everything, to come out and "travel the way you like".