When you grow older, you often think about your past and miss those times. I wish I could go back to the old days and pause… even if just for a moment.
When I was 10 to 16 years old, I lived in a village on a mountain with my parents and little sister. I had the best time with them. Sadly, they are no longer with me, and I miss them very much. So, I planned to visit the village in December 2024 to remember the good times we had together. Going alone would make me too sad, so I invited two foreign friends to join me and enjoy this special place together.
Near the village, there’s a hiking spot called “Phu Soi Dao National Park,” standing 1,633 meters above sea level. Apart from visiting the village, hiking and camping overnight at the top would be the highlight of the trip. I enjoy hiking and camping, likely because I often hiked with my parents in the jungle when I lived in the village.
We planned to visit some places after Phu Soi Dao. Here is our 7-day itinerary. Since we live in Phuket, our trip started with a flight to Bangkok and stayed a night at this beautiful villa near Don Mueang Airport before hitting the road early the next morning. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/966602979501524641
I contacted my old friend in the village to let her know I’m visiting, and she prepared lunch & dinner and an evening activity for my two foreign friends. When I arrived in the village, I thought about my childhood, where life was simple. I lived with my parents and played with my little sister from morning till evening, without any worries. On weekends, I would explore the jungle with my friends and search for insects! And went into the canal to look for fish. I also met some old friends from school, and we talked a lot about the old days, reminding me of how wild I used to be.
I visited the school I attended for 6 years. It seems small to me now, but it felt big when I was little. I couldn’t believe how much this school has taught me, things I don’t think I would have learned in a big city like Bangkok. I’m thankful for my time here and for the experiences that shaped who I am today. The evening ended with laughter, drinks, and joy.
The next morning, it was time for the highlight of the trip after last night’s feast. We packed our camping gear for one night at the top and headed to the base camp, where we registered and got a strong man to help carry our stuff. The process was quick and simple. Around 400 people were set to be our companies on top of the mountain, mostly Thai, coming from all over Thailand. So, we weren’t lonely on our way to the top.
The atmosphere of our 4-hour journey was enjoyable because we were fit and well-prepared. It wasn’t as hard as we had feared. I remembered feeling very tired during my previous visits as a teenager. Today, we saw about 400 people hiking and many of whom were younger than us but struggled and complained about being tired. Some were overweight and unprepared for the climb. I recommend that if you’re not ready, don’t attempt the hike just to see the views. It’s best to exercise for at least 1-3 months before coming. If you’re overweight, consider skipping the trip to avoid being a burden to others.
After unpacking and setting up the tent, we prepared our special meal: Korean BBQ pork. The delicious smell made the campers nearby quite jealous. It was the best Korean BBQ I’ve ever had. The cold weather made the hot food even better, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sharing this meal with friends who know me well brings simple happiness as we eat and laugh together. After eating, we watched the sunset at the cliff. The sky was a beautiful orange and yellow. After a long day of travel, this view made all the tiredness go away. It’s a romantic spot for couples, but it can also lead to breakups once you leave!
In the morning, Lili & Sunna made breakfast for us. We planned to cook Korean ramen, but since we weren’t very hungry, we just had coffee and the croissants we brought. I thanked my Chinese friend for bringing the camping gear, like a gas stove, grill pan, kettle, glasses, and plates. She was very organized and took on the role of chef because she believed eating was important more than anything! I acted as the team leader, managing the overall plan, booking a car rental and accommodations while my Korean friend were always help and do as requested. We were such a good team, Thai, Chinese and Korean!
After packing everything, we started to go down. We left the top at 8:30 AM to avoid the heat.
Walking down the mountain in the morning felt great. It took us about 3 hours, which was quicker than the 4-hour ascent. After coming down from the mountain, we had to wait for our stuff for 3 hours, which delayed our trip to Chiang Khan. While waiting, I reflected on the journey, the experiences I had, and childhood memories. Friends and juniors greeted and helped me, along with elderly people who remembered me after nearly 30 years. I was deeply touched by their kindness. This village behind the mountain, filled with warmth, will always stay in my heart.
Thanks to Lili and Sunna, my travel companions, for helping me make this trip happen!
Hope you enjoy reading it.
Pim Never Stops 