Epic "Phu Kradueng" Falling in Love EP.1 Climbing the Mountain

The epic "Phu Kradueng" November 2018 Phu Kradueng has more than you think. 2 people, 3 days, 2 nights with a budget of 3,300 baht. A detailed review for the first time in my life. "Once in a lifetime to conquer Phu Kradueng" People say "Once is enough" Not enough, try it. You will fall in love with it. Oh, I haven't started telling the story yet. I've already finished the ending. 555555 I have to say that this time there are a lot of pictures. I pressed the shutter more than two thousand times. This does not include pictures on my mobile phone. And in the gopro camera, it's a lot.

Here is a rough overview:

> Two members, meaning they are no longer friends with anyone else, are now dating each other.

> The cost was split in half, and after deducting the taxi fare to Mo Chit, it came to around 3,000 baht.

Travel on Friday night, arrive at the mountain on the morning of the 3rd, walk down the mountain on the 4th, wait for the car to return, and arrive at 3 am on the 6th.

Details

For non-holiday periods, tickets can be purchased at Mo Chit Bus Terminal, counters 6-7. Choose the latest departure time to arrive close to dawn (take the air-conditioned bus). It has charging ports, a TV screen, a small blanket, and snacks.

• The bus will stop at Pha Nok Khao (Jek Kim Restaurant) where we can wash our faces, eat, and withdraw money. On the way back, there will be a place to buy tickets for the return bus.

- Take a shared taxi to Phu, which costs 300 baht per car if you rent the whole car. If not, you can wait to share with other passengers, up to 10 people, for 30 baht per person.

- Upon reaching Phu, we read the details, booked a tent, and reserved sleeping equipment. After everything was ready, we prepared to ascend at seven in the morning.

- If you don't want to carry your own belongings, you can walk to the back and hire a porter for 30 baht per kilogram. You can pay them at the top.

- Take your time, rest when you're tired, eat at every rest stop, some rest stops have bathrooms, there's a path all the way, try not to carry too much for your first time, and don't forget your helper (walking stick), it really helps.

• After passing the checkpoint, take a picture with the sign before continuing. The path will be flat and suitable for walking. It will be sunny, so don't forget your hat. Keep walking.

• Report to the tourist service center, where we will sleep, contact the staff, choose bedding, and then enter the tent.

- Wait for the hawker to bring the bag and then pay.

• If it's not too cold, go watch the sunset at Pha Mak Duk. I recommend cycling, the path is not too steep and it's a leisurely ride. You'll be back before it gets too late. Bike rental is 60 baht.

- The top floor has restaurants, souvenir shops, restrooms, and even a "moo kata" (Thai BBQ) restaurant. It has everything you could need, except for an ATM or a 7-Eleven. The prices are reasonable for the location.

- Electricity: You can charge your phone at the restaurants where we eat. The vendors are kind and you can also charge your phone at the tourist service points. There will be lockers for mobile phone and camera batteries. 20

40 baht power bank, no need to worry about losing it.

- Morning activities on the mountain, walking along the waterfall / cliff face. It should be walked on different days, but we walked on the same day. 55555 It was so brutal.

- Activity ends on the day. Oh, you have to inform the officer if you need a porter on the return day. Tell him that we will take the porter with us.

- Morning: Pack belongings, wash face, give backpack to porter, pay respects at the temple, and prepare to descend the mountain (bathe at the bottom).

- The descent was very easy, we practically ran down. 55555555 Upon arrival, we waited for our luggage, which was mostly already there. We picked up our luggage, paid, and then showered.

• Take a car to Mr. Kim's shop to buy a bus ticket to Bangkok.

--------- End!---------------

Let's begin.

Start >>> Round 1

The journey began with research, review, cost calculation, date selection, leave application, and ticket booking. The booking was made through the Thai Route website, with the departure scheduled for November 3rd at 8:30 PM via Air Mueang Ley.

This was my first time taking a bus from Mo Chit, so I was quite confused and kept asking for directions. I also miscalculated the time. The bus was scheduled to depart at 8:30 PM, but I arrived at Mo Chit as early as 6:00 PM. I took a taxi and got stuck in traffic because the taxi driver had to refill his gas tank. The driver was initially reluctant, but I offered to accompany him to the gas station. So, I ended up taking a detour to refill the gas tank with the taxi driver. He thanked me and wished me a pleasant trip.

Wow, Mo Chit is packed! I was surprised by the number of people. After asking around, I found out that the ticket for Loei is at counter number 6. But when I got there, the lady told me to go to counter number 7. I showed her the ticket I booked through Thai Route that I had printed out, and she issued me a ticket. She then told me, with a straight face, that the bus will be at platform 26 and will arrive at 8 pm. (The ticket cost 605 baht.)

Wandering around aimlessly, I discreetly searched for a seat. Spotting an empty one, I casually approached with a gentle smile and asked, "Is this seat taken?" I then sat down and waited patiently.

As the train approached, I gathered my belongings and headed to the platform to buy a sandwich. The familiar sandwich, which I used to buy for 5 baht, now costs 15 baht. I wonder if I'm paying for the transportation cost.

The most surprising thing was that every seat on the Air Muang Lek bus had a TV screen, but... the one we were sitting in was broken! 55555 It was the only one that was broken, but that's okay, we weren't going to use it anyway. As the bus started to move, the young bus attendant introduced themselves and then turned off the lights... They were a health worker and went to sleep at 8:30 pm. Where could we possibly sleep? We usually don't go to sleep until midnight.

The journey was filled with intermittent sleep and wakefulness, culminating in our arrival at the destination around 3 am. The first sensation that greeted us was the bone-chilling cold, a staggering 14 degrees Celsius at that hour. The location was a restaurant called "Jek Kim" at Pha Nok Khao. While the identity of Jek Kim remains a mystery, one thing was clear: this was where we had parked our vehicle.

During the day, the owl can be seen as a bird. I don't know why it's called an owl.

This is a shop owned by Mr. Kim. Mr. Kim opens the shop at 4 am. However, if there are customers in front of the shop, Mr. Kim will automatically open the system. He will repeat the information about the shop, such as travel information and mountain climbing. It's good that he's not lonely. Mr. Kim seems kind. Hello, Mr. Kim.

The shop is open at 4 am. Here, there are bathrooms, dining areas, sleeping areas, shops, ATMs, and bus ticket booking. We then went behind the shop, washed our faces, brushed our teeth, ate, and waited to go up the mountain.

This is a free water dispenser located behind the shop. You can wait for your car for free while drinking water.

For the first meal in Loei Province, I had fried eggs and coffee at a regular price. It was delicious!

Around 6:00 AM, we prepared to ascend Mount Hu. The car parked next to Je Kim's shop, between the police station. The fare was 300 baht per car, as they told us. If there were few people, we would wait to go with others. This time, we paid 35 baht per person.

Setting off on a journey, surrounded by a light mist and cool air, feeling incredibly refreshed.

The park entrance fee is 40 baht per person. The staff will give you a ticket, which you must keep. When you reach the top of the mountain, the staff will ask for your ticket and ID card.

Arriving at Phu Kradueng National Park at approximately 6:15 AM, prepare to reserve a tent and wait for the park to open at 7:00 AM. Tents must be reserved at the park entrance. Sleeping bags and pillows are available for rent.

A sign provides details to read.

The morning was relatively quiet, with few people lining up to reserve tents. Those who brought their own tents waited for officials to open the mountain at 7:00 am.

For those who do not want to carry their own luggage, walk to the back where you will find the baggage building. There, you can have your luggage weighed and tagged, and then hand it over to a porter. It's worth paying the 30 baht per kilogram fee. Seeing the porters carrying such heavy loads is heartbreaking. Just getting oneself up the mountain is almost impossible, let alone carrying another hundred or two hundred kilograms of luggage. Honestly, if I had more money, I would pay more than 30 baht per kilogram.

The weight has increased by 9 kg and decreased by 10 kg. The child said it was humid. This time, carrying it taught me that I brought too much. I didn't bring enough clothes for the day, but I brought too many camera adapters and power banks. Lesson 1: Don't bring too much, just bring what you really need.

No problem, the porters will carry it up for you. There will be tags on the bag, on you, and on the staff member. Once you reach the top, you can wait for your bag and pay.

Paying respects to the Buddha before climbing.

The beautiful lights have begun!

The signs will indicate the order of each floor before going up. Only 5.5 kg.

The Conqueror's Assistant, and the Conqueror's lifesaver. The staff works well, it really helps. You can pick it up, but don't throw it away. When you reach the back of the field, there will be a place to store it.

These warning signs will be posted throughout the route.

The moon is still there.

A one-kilometer walk will take you to the infamous Sam that everyone talks about when visiting Phu 5555555. Sam Haek, which translates to "panting Sam," aptly describes the breathlessness one experiences during the initial ascent. However, it's a relatively easy climb. This Sam has restrooms, vendors selling refreshments, and, most importantly, watermelon.

The trail to the summit of Phra That Doi Phra Chan is dotted with rest stops, allowing hikers to take breaks as needed. This makes the climb a relatively relaxed experience, especially for those who are not in a hurry.

This area will be staffed by officials.

This spot is amazing. The moment you reach the top, you can't help but exclaim "Wow!" The air is fresh, the breeze is cool, and the trees are lush. If it weren't for the need to continue hiking, I would have stayed here forever.

A porter is the strongest creature here. Seeing them makes us climb the mountain with more determination.

We have arrived at approximately 13:00. We are safe and have reached flat ground, but we are not yet at the campsite.

This iconic sign, a legend among hikers, reads: "Once in a lifetime, we conquer Phu Kradueng." It is a must-have photo stop for anyone visiting the mountain.

After taking photos and resting, we continued our journey. We needed to arrive before sunset so we could watch the sun set at Pha Mak Duk.

The path is flat and easy to walk on, making it perfect for taking photos as you go. However, it can get quite hot as there are no trees to provide shade.

Stroll around before entering the tourist center. Contact the tent center. Stop by the shrine first to ask for protection during your stay. It is located at the entrance of the center, with a sign indicating the way. You can walk in.

We have arrived! Let's go inside, contact the staff, enter the tent, and choose our bedding.

The accommodation here is divided into three sections: a zone with bungalows, a zone where the staff have pitched tents, and a zone with a large open space for pitching your own tent. There are shops, a restaurant serving "moo kata" (Thai barbecue), a cafe selling "khao jee" (grilled bread with various toppings), bathrooms, showers, and a bicycle rental service. In short, they have everything except a 7-Eleven. The food is also reasonably priced, which is great considering the location.

The maple leaves have changed color.

After setting up the tent, we waited for the porter to bring our luggage and collect payment.

The bag has been received. It was just in time for the evening. I didn't have time to go back and watch the sunset, so I rented a bicycle to ride there. It was a flat road, so it was manageable. It cost 60 baht, which saved me the effort of walking. I also rode it back.

People have started to arrive and are finding places to settle in. The crowd is relatively small, unlike during long holidays as we have seen.

At the cliff, there are restaurants, instant noodles, and coffee. That's all I can think of because the weather is starting to get chilly, and I feel like having something warm.

The sun is finally back! Let's wait and see what happens.

Many people, one destination.

The sun has set, and I am sitting here watching its beauty.

The perfect darkness, a cool breeze, and a leisurely bike ride back home.

The first night on Phu Kradueng, the sky was full of beautiful stars. The intention was to bring a tripod to hunt for elephants, but the tripod broke. Lesson 2: We should buy good equipment. I only got this much.

Day One of the Trek: A Glimpse into the Enchanting Phu Kradueng

The first day of our trek through the breathtaking Phu Kradueng National Park has come to an end. Stay tuned for a detailed account of our adventures tomorrow, complete with captivating images and insightful narratives. (9.11.2018)

Immerse yourself in the intricate details of our journey through the following links:

• A visual feast: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Teawhaidairueng/photos/?tab=album&albumid=303321323605454&xts[0]=68.ARD55o2Z-2ympGtdMKF6NdWrWcOec43IzxJlrC1eQaHaON2nCRDYp2eqoHtPukCPvxuA8nmAh_nxIJdBNTibNqwo1iR1wEnh3yE7Qd5pm4r3kuWn7gZuA8LdDHmoPquLIb12H1vn7Z4s1kQ9vLKW3nmXGKY1OtbNU0K0rmUB5FKnkMoAPcyltp3ep9dlGlFtfsZ&tn=-UC-R
• A captivating narrative: https://www.facebook.com/Teawhaidairueng/

Delve deeper into the world of visual storytelling: https://www.facebook.com/Teawhaidairueng/

A glimpse into the mind of a passionate photographer:

This is a personal account of our trek, told through the lens of someone who finds joy in capturing the beauty of the world around them.