Lost in the Wilderness #7: Breathe in the Earthy Scent, Feel the Cool Mist, and Hunt for Elephants at 'Pang Ung'

This trip, which I had the opportunity to take around November last year, is still fresh in my memory. While some might wonder how many days are necessary for such a long journey, for me, this trip was a short one...

Yes, it was indeed a short trip. A round trip from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son. I started my journey on Friday night and returned to Bangkok on Sunday evening. As soon as I finished work on Friday, I packed my backpack and drove straight to Mae Hong Son. Most importantly, I planned to return to work on Monday!

"Just the thought of setting out on a journey makes me forget all my fatigue. 5555+"

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I chose to go during this month because I thought there wouldn't be many people, and there would still be fog for us to see. The 14-hour drive to Pang Ung was full of obstacles! Other people might get there faster, but for me, I got lost. Haha! I drove around Tak and got lost in that area. And during the time I went, the road from Tak to Mae Hong Son was under construction. Oh my goodness, I don't even want to talk about it.

I wonder if my Mazda 2 can handle this kind of terrain.

The car screeched and scraped the entire way, with rocks flying everywhere. It was a stressful drive, and I almost didn't make it to Pang Ung. The road was under construction, and it felt like you needed a four-wheel drive to navigate it. The distance was also quite long, and I almost turned around and headed back to Chiang Mai. But after coming this far, I couldn't give up on my dream. So, I kept pushing forward.

The atmosphere here is truly breathtaking. While the morning mist may not offer much excitement, it provides the perfect opportunity to immerse oneself in the surrounding nature. Breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the simplicity of the environment. In these simple moments, you will discover a unique kind of magic.

The first night I arrived, I had high hopes for elephant spotting. I had secretly checked the white elephant calendar in advance and planned my time accordingly. When the time came, I sat down and waited. I was so excited to see if the elephant would appear clearly. To be honest, the sky was very cooperative that day, it was pitch black. We could see the elephant clearly, so we set up our cameras and waited to capture the moment.

After collecting enough elephant dung, we returned to our tents for a delicious barbecue. In front of the park, there are shops run by local villagers, including a barbecue restaurant. Of course, we had to try it! The cool air, the hot barbecue, and the beautiful reservoir view made for an unforgettable experience.

One of the must-do activities in the morning is to take a wooden raft ride in the reservoir. This is especially true if you are riding as a couple, as the atmosphere will make you feel like you are in a movie.

Done, let's take a walk around and capture the atmosphere.

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The iconic symbol of this location is the pair of swans, both white and black. The black swan, in particular, exudes an undeniable charm. These graceful creatures, seemingly a pair of lovebirds, create an enchanting atmosphere, immersing visitors in an aura of love.

Fortunately, during my visit, the crowd was relatively small, preventing overcrowding and excessive commotion. While there were enough people to create a lively atmosphere, it wasn't overly crowded or chaotic. This allowed me to capture the essence of the place without feeling overwhelmed. The resulting photographs convey a sense of vibrancy without being overwhelming.

Accommodation options at this location include tent camping, tent rentals, and park-provided lodging. However, I personally prefer the experience of camping in my own tent, as I find it more atmospheric.

This year, I haven't decided where to go for the winter yet. But I can't help but think about this place. The image of the green nature and the mist on the water around the reservoir is still in my memory every day. Of course, I also remember the hardships of the journey very well. 5555+

As the late rainy and early winter season approaches, don't miss the opportunity to get lost in the beauty of Pang Ung. The road should be back to normal by now, so you'll likely encounter less traffic than I did. This means your travel time will be shorter than mine.

I believe that whoever goes to this place, your life clock will run along with nature. No need to be fancy, no need to be too much. Just enough happiness, I think that's enough. With what we, as big city people, need.

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