7/12/17 Thurs: We signed up for a 2D1N package with Chai Lai Orchid (5500 baht per person) which included a trip to Doi Inthanon National Park, Pagodas, Waterfalls, highest point in Thailand, walk with elephants and Karen Homestay. We were the first customer that the Songtaew picked up at 8am, then subsequently an American and an Italian couple.
We were chit-chatting as it was a few hours on the road to Karen’s Tribe. Once we reached, we realised the others bought a slightly different package from us, so two of us was introduced to our guide Golo, and together with another driver in a pick-up, 4 of us embarked on the bumpy road up to Kew Mae Pan. Golo is a young girl from the tribe, but she spoke pretty good English, and shared a bit about her life, her dream and her crush etc with me on the journey up.
I saw “18 degrees Celsius” and “12 degrees Celsius” both displayed nearby the start of the nature trail, so who knew which was accurate right? Anyway, a jacket could suffice the weather as we began the walk in the forest, with Golo and a Hmong guide from Doi Inthanon National Park randomly assigned to us. *Man he walks that trail up and down four times daily on average!* The entrance ticket was 200 baht per person.
It was really cooling in the rainforest, and we stopped for photos at a waterfall and on the bridge. There were lots of uphill slopes and steps and I thought my knees might buckle anytime sia… *pants* The guide, Golo and Potato were all fit~ I was the only one lagging behind now and then haha. Next, we walked into the open and saw yet a winding slope up in front omg…
We trekked 3.2km, and finally got to the top! A pity the noon weather in December wasn’t kind to us, cos all we saw were thick mist everywhere~ Air was definitely refreshing up there though.
Then, we began our descent, which at some point got a bit dangerous as the clouds were to thick it sort of blocked your view a little as you step downwards. *A good thing there were wooden railings by the side, because the slopes that vanished into the clouds looked a bit intimidating for people scared of heights like me.*
Golo and the guide both sounded very professional and explained about some plants, and pointed out a few with medicinal functions to us. Back in the forest, Golo pointed out one branch that was shaped like a “worm” hugging its own branch too haha.
For lunch, we went to a small eatery nearby filled with locals and tourists for lunch. Golo and Potato ordered some BBQ pork, chicken, ngoh hiang and papaya salad for us. I thought the papaya salad was pretty spicy!
We also tried the eggs on a stick, and it tasted awesome! The egg white and yolk were already blended together, and the peppery taste was just nice~ sadly the standard doesn’t seem to be the same everywhere because when I had it in Khao Kho, it was way too salty.
After which, the driver came and drove us to near the summit of Doi Ithanon. We were at 2565m above sea level, which was also coincidentally the highest point in Thailand!
The tomb of the King was there as well. Golo had a knack for nice poses and taking nice photos haha. *Then again, it’s nature! Nature is beautiful everywhere!*
She found a blue beetle around too, and picked it up. I touched the back… oh it felt slippery.
Then, we headed to the Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri chedis, built to honour the 60th birthday anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1987 and Queen Sirikit in 1992. We saw Buddhist relics inside both chedis, and the surrounding views were incredible!
Not only was I in awe with the sun rays shining down from the clouds, the “garden” just outside the chedis were very neatly maintained. No wonder many locals were around to take photos.
After that, we began the long and winding journey up to Pong Noi Homestay, where we will shower, stay overnight and have dinner and breakfast at. *Golo was being random and plucked one passionfruit for us to eat while walking into the village… super sour!*
We saw Buteng (24years old male) and Mookapat (40years old female) while walking in too. She was already 5-months pregnant at that time. 经手人？Buteng. They are a couple apparently lol. So, let’s take a peek at our homestay area…
The waterfall was nearby (can swim, but it was too cold in December), and when we open the windows from our room, we could see the river stream. Rooster was there to wake us up in the morning, and shower and toilet was outdoor. Golo helped to set up campfire for the group of tourists there that night, and that’s when we saw the Italian couple (Daniel is a commercial pilot) with the girlfriend’s sister and friend again.
She was chatting with the Swiss guy Matt, who was on a 8 months’ vacation in Asia with his British girlfriend Sarah. *They joked that they are skipping Singapore because expenses here is too high!*
We put our stuff down in the room, and two ladies from Karen’s tribe prepared dinner for about eight of us, and though it was only simple cooked greens with carrots, spicy potatoes and eggs, and some curry I think… it was delicious. I guess I enjoy communal dining, where people eat and chit-chat together.
By night fall, it was pitch dark and cold. You can literally see 101 stars above you. Potato borrowed the driver’s guitar and he played and sang for us. Those angmohs很配合、很enjoy lol. Some of them drank, some smoked, and we shared about things related to travel and life in our countries. Strangers under the same sky. It was a nice feeling.
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