People often act impulsively, making decisions in a split second, especially when it comes to things they are passionate about. With the encouragement of others, they embark on new adventures without much planning. Today, with the auspicious date of 9/9/2023, we decided to do something different, something that would add color and excitement to our lives. We made a rough plan, gathered some information, and set off, ready to face whatever awaited us. It had been a long time since we had felt this way, boarding a bus, carrying backpacks and luggage, heading towards our chosen destination. This time, we were traveling as a duo, as no one else would be crazy enough to join us on such short notice. We often agree with each other, leading some to believe we are the same. However, the truth is that we are different in almost every way. We have different dreams, different preferences, and different ways of thinking. Yet, we find joy in helping each other achieve our dreams. Although we don't travel together often due to various limitations, each trip brings us closer and allows us to learn more about each other.

At 6 pm after work, May rushed to the Airport Rail Link at Hua Mak to connect to the BTS at Phaya Thai. But it seemed to be the day when May was impatient and went faster than the journey, making the fastest train for the moment look slow immediately. Time also passed quickly without waiting for anyone. At 7:30 pm, she just arrived at BTS Mo Chit, a station with many people. As soon as the door opened, she rushed off the train and ran with her eyes wide open. Then she stood panting at the bus stop below, planning to call a motorcycle taxi to NCA Air. But when the answer came back as 80, she tried to ask another one. This time, it was 100. She asked back that it shouldn't be more than 60 baht, but the taxi driver said that there was a traffic jam and no one would go for 60. Some shouted that they could ride two, but they still charged 80 baht each. She sighed softly and just waved her hand to say no. She looked at her watch and waited for the bus.

She still couldn't figure out how to get there. Bus 77 that passed by still didn't come. Until she heard someone standing next to her who was going to the same place, so they took a taxi together. It seemed to be going well, but then the traffic was very slow, moving little by little. At 8 pm, it still hadn't reached the turn. With 15 minutes left before the bus departure time, the taxi driver said, "I don't think we'll make it. Sit still. What should we do?" She wanted to get off and run to get it over with. After a while, the uncle must have seen that she was restless, so he started to zigzag the car. At 8:20 pm, they passed the PTT gas station. Oak, who was waiting there, called and asked her to talk to the staff. He asked where she was. It was already 5 minutes past the bus departure time. She tried to plead. The taxi driver said it was almost there, not more than 5 minutes. The traffic here was not congested anymore. He could drive straight. Then the taxi driver turned to her and said that if the bus really left, he would follow her. As soon as he finished speaking, the bus turned into the bus depot and stopped. As soon as it stopped, the door opened and the bus ran like a dog in heat.

I sprinted towards platform 15, where the train was waiting. I saw Oak standing by the door, ready to board. I handed him my ticket and hopped on, panting heavily. After catching my breath, I noticed someone else just getting on. Phew, I wasn't the last one! I was grateful the train waited for me, even though I was five minutes late. The other passengers seemed understanding, and I greeted them with a smile as I boarded. Once the train started moving, the staff began distributing lunch boxes containing two dishes, a spoon, tissues, a toothpick, bottled water, juice, and snacks. After finishing my meal, I decided to rest and gather my energy.

I planned to rest my eyes and take a nap, but by the time the bus left Bangkok, I still hadn't fallen asleep. With only 32 seats on the bus, I was able to stretch out my legs comfortably. The air conditioning was cool and refreshing, the blanket was clean and odorless, and the seats had a massage function. Headphones were available to borrow, and there was a button to call the staff if I had any questions. There were many movies to choose from, including several that I hadn't seen before. When I got tired of watching movies, I listened to music, which played softly throughout the journey. I enjoyed the ride so much that I didn't sleep at all. When I finally woke up, it was morning, and we had just arrived in Chiang Mai city.

6:24 AM, we arrived at the arcade in Chiang Mai. We walked around looking for a motorbike rental shop to go up to Doi Inthanon. There were many shops to choose from. From our research, taking a songthaew seemed complicated to change vehicles and we were afraid of wasting time. We walked around and chose a motorbike suitable for going up to Doi Inthanon. After washing our faces and brushing our teeth, our real journey began. We rode the motorbike towards San Pa Tong district, following Google Maps and looking at the signs along the way. After a while, we stopped for breakfast along the way and put on all the sunscreen we had. I must say that at this point, the excitement was also increasing. In my life, I had only ridden a motorbike for a long distance once, when I went up to Khao Yai a long time ago.

Shortly after passing through San Pa Tong district, we started feeling restless. The driver also wanted a coffee. As soon as we saw a sign for a coffee shop ahead, our already slow car slowed down even further as we searched for a large establishment. We thought we had missed it, but then we saw the shop standing prominently by the roadside. We immediately pulled over without even asking each other. Although one of us loves coffee and the other is allergic to it, we both enjoy coffee shops. The entire shop was decorated in black and white, with stylish little gadgets scattered throughout. We had a great time sitting there. The seller was friendly, chatty, and even gave us some cookies to try. After chatting for a while, taking photos, and exchanging Facebook information, it was time to continue our journey. We entered Chom Thong district at 10:18 am. The sun was getting stronger and hotter, and our sunscreen only helped a little. But we weren't in a hurry or rushing, so we drove slowly and safely.

We arrived at the first checkpoint of Doi Inthanon at 10:38 AM. We paid the entrance fee for both people and the car, used the restroom, and took a short break before continuing our journey. We drove at a moderate speed, enjoying the occasional patches of fog that drifted across the road. The temperature was cool, with occasional bursts of sunshine that kept the heat at bay. We continued driving leisurely until we were overtaken by various vehicles, including large trucks, small cars, and motorcycles. At this rate, we might even be overtaken by bicycles soon.

We stopped for lunch at the park, refueling before setting off again. The sun was strong, but the temperature was only 22 degrees Celsius with occasional gusts of wind carrying mist. The weather was perfect, neither too cold nor too hot. We rested until we were no longer tired and decided to ride down to find accommodation first, as we didn't want to carry our backpacks while walking. People were gradually coming up, both Thai and foreigners. The atmosphere was just that good. Even though the drive was a bit long, it was worth it. We drove around, entering and exiting alleys, to find accommodation for the night. We followed the locations we had researched and were about to drive down to the Mae Klang Luang area.

Our efforts finally paid off when the driver unexpectedly turned into a small, bumpy side street. I wondered why we were there, but my jaw dropped when I saw what was hidden behind the four small guesthouses: stunning rice terraces. Oak had noticed the rice paddies on our initial drive and decided to investigate. We were not disappointed. After negotiating a price, we left our bags in a room that was being cleaned, as no one had stayed there recently. It was probably due to the rainy season and the fact that the guesthouse had only opened the previous year. It was no surprise that it was still relatively unknown.

We stopped at a village to refuel and continued our journey. Initially, we aimed for the Kiw Mae Pan viewpoint, but our hopes were dashed as it was closed during this period. It reopens on November 1st each year. This was our fault for not researching beforehand, assuming it was open year-round. Our destination changed instantly, and we drove towards Mae Chaem district, a route we had never taken before. We intended to soak our feet in the hot springs, but after driving for a while, we came across a岔路口. The driver turned into the road leading to Mae Pan Waterfall without hesitation. Upon reaching the entrance, we had to park our car and walk another 500 meters. We looked at each other and decided to go for it since we were already there. In short, it was worth it. We were not disappointed with our walk. It was a pity we didn't bring a change of clothes, as the water was crystal clear, cool, and very inviting. There were also many flowers, which would have been a delight for macro photographers. We stayed there until almost 6 pm and were disappointed to see a sign for Pa Pong Piang Forest, only a few kilometers away. However, as it was getting dark, we had to reluctantly drive back to our accommodation. We will return tomorrow.

Upon arriving at the accommodation, a light drizzle began to fall, creating a cozy atmosphere that invited sleep. However, the allure of the surrounding landscape proved too tempting to resist. The rice paddy, nestled against the backdrop of majestic mountains, beckoned for exploration. Armed with an umbrella, I ventured out into the field, my steps guided by the narrow paths that crisscrossed the verdant expanse. As I walked, enveloped by the swaying stalks of rice, a sense of tranquility washed over me. The fragrant aroma of ripening grain filled the air, carried by the gentle breeze. Crystal-clear water cascaded down from the nearby hills, forming a refreshing stream that teemed with life. Tiny fish darted through the shallows, while frogs and toads hopped and croaked amidst the lush vegetation. The vibrant scene before me was a testament to the vitality of the rice paddy ecosystem, a perfect embodiment of the adage "where there is water, there are fish; where there are rice fields, there is life." This firsthand experience served as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of preserving its delicate balance.

The pork, purchased from a local village shop that resembled a small market offering everything, was sliced into bite-sized pieces, along with various vegetables. The charcoal stove was lit, mats were laid out, and plates, bowls, spoons, and chopsticks were distributed, accompanied by dipping sauce. We sat in a circle, the fire blazing so intensely that the pork cooked quickly, leaving us struggling to keep up. As evening fell, the sounds of crickets and cicadas competed, while the aroma of rice wafted in, occasionally replacing the scent of the barbecue. Conversations flowed as if we had known each other for years, like relatives returning home. It was very late by the time we parted ways, the air comfortably cool. A warm bath and snuggling under the covers ensured a peaceful sleep, free from the heat, air conditioning, or the need for fans.

The next morning, we left our accommodation not too late. The rain had been falling lightly since the previous night. We drove slowly and carefully, getting overtaken by several cars. The fog was thicker than the previous day, and the sky showed no signs of clearing. We stopped for breakfast and took a break on the way up to Kiw Mae Pan because the rain was heavy. However, we saw several motorcycles driving through the rain, which seemed dangerous as they were going very fast. After the rain stopped, we continued driving uphill. We walked and took photos at the highest point, where the temperature was 9 degrees Celsius, with light rain and some fog.

We continued our journey to the Ang Ka Nature Study Trail, which was teeming with trees of all sizes. Moss covered every tree, looking lush and vibrant from the intermittent rain. Raindrops clung to the leaves, creating a glistening spectacle. Despite the rain, a considerable number of people were still enjoying the trail. At times, the mist descended upon the trees, shrouding them in a blanket of white. We ambled along the path, thoroughly engrossed in the beauty of our surroundings.

We left our accommodation and stopped by to admire the flowers and the magnificence of the Naphra Meru and Naphraphon Bhumi Siripat. However, today seemed not to be our day, as it rained continuously since our arrival. When the rain stopped, fog descended. We sat down to eat, we waited, but in the end, we gave up and decided to return to our accommodation. However, as we approached, the rain began to subside. We stopped to walk in the garden near the Siriphum Waterfall for a while, as there were a variety of flowers and plants to see, especially ferns. The rain started again for a while. When the rain began to subside before returning to our accommodation, we stopped to buy vegetables, chilies, and pork to cook dinner. We showed off our cooking skills. The owner told us that the kitchen would be finished next time we visit, but for now, we would use this simple one. However, Oak seemed to like this kitchen more. Both the chili paste and the stir-fried vegetables were compared to the local dishes of the owner, such as chicken soup in a way we were not familiar with, and simple boiled bamboo shoots. This was enough to make us full and sleep soundly with the sound of the rain still falling heavily.

Monday morning, a day we didn't expect to still be here. Our original plan was to leave yesterday, but the rain that started yesterday and continued heavily until this morning has kept us stranded. Our plans to visit the Pa Pong Piang forest and explore the town have been put on hold. All we can do now is sit and watch the sky and rain from behind our room. We can't go anywhere. The owner of the accommodation has kindly prepared breakfast for the two of us. The simple, home-cooked dishes, unfamiliar to our palates, are surprisingly delicious. There's also a large pot of pumpkin in coconut milk. Since we can't go anywhere and the rain is only a light drizzle at times, we decide to take a walk through the rice fields. It's a welcome distraction from the boredom.

When it rains, we open an umbrella. If you want to take pictures, just step out behind the accommodation and you will be amazed by the beautiful scenery. The green rice fields and the mountains covered in mist are breathtaking. If you're bored, you can take a walk on the paddy field ridges. I can assure you that you will be very happy. If you don't believe me, you have to come and see for yourself. We sat watching the sky and the rain until 4 pm. The rain started to subside and stopped. We immediately packed our things and left Inthanon. We drove slowly and stopped for a break and lunch at Hang Dong Municipal Market. By the time we reached Arcade, it was almost 7:30 pm. The next bus was at 8:55 pm because the 8:00 pm bus was full.

Thank you for the wonderful friendship and everything that brought us together, including Joy, Sun, both uncles, Mario, and the little girl who still won't talk to us. We will return as promised to harvest rice in this field, a field teeming with life, a field made with heart, a field planted to store rice for our own consumption. This terraced field, neither small nor large, is brimming with beauty that rivals any other. When the rice turns golden across the field, it will be a different kind of beautiful.

This trip was planned with minimal research, opting for a spontaneous approach to travel, accommodation, and sightseeing.

Despite the short itinerary, the trip extended due to the allure of nature, inviting us to linger and embrace the moment.

Throughout the journey, we encountered nothing but kindness and generosity. From complimentary snacks with our coffee to unexpected discounts on accommodation and thoughtful gifts despite our minimal purchases, smiles and laughter accompanied us every step of the way. As the locals say, "People in Chiang Mai are kind," and I wholeheartedly agree. Until we meet again!

Though things may not go as planned, and we may not always get what we desire, as long as we enjoy the journey and appreciate what is before us, every place we visit will become an unforgettable memory. Every destination holds hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. If time permits, explore as much as possible, embracing the unexpected and the unknown. This trip has revealed wonders we never imagined we would encounter.

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