This review may be a bit late for the season, but let's post it here to prepare for next year's trip. "Thai Sakura" with its soft pink color and cool weather in the north of Thailand is a perfect sweetness.

This year, my wife and I set a goal to visit all three mountains: Khun Chang Kian, Khun Wang, and Khun Mae Ya. We followed the news about the blooming of the flowers since the beginning of the year. Usually, they bloom after Children's Day, but the exact timing depends on the weather. Based on the news, we decided to travel on January 20, 2017. Our first destination was Khun Chang Kian. We were lucky to find some flowers in bloom, even though it wasn't a lot. We enjoyed their beauty and the cold weather, which made us look for accommodation. We found a homestay in the village to escape the cold.

One of the highlights of the festival is the abundance of fresh strawberries. The stalls are overflowing with ripe, juicy berries, making it impossible to resist buying and indulging in their sweet taste. We ate so many strawberries that our cheeks turned as rosy as those of the local children.

After soaking in the atmosphere of Khun Chang Kian, we bid farewell to our friends and headed towards Doi Inthanon to reach Khun Wang. Due to our travel plans, we will miss Khun Mae Ya. We agreed to visit it next year and continue on to Mae Hong Son, which will be more convenient.

En route to Khun Wang, we stumbled upon a hidden gem - a new cherry blossom viewing spot in full bloom, yet to be unveiled as a tourist destination. As photographers, we couldn't resist the allure. At the "Reuan Pratap Ram Doi Pha Tang" on the ascent to Doi Inthanon, our unplanned detour yielded an unexpected delight. The picturesque setting, with its cool, refreshing air and sheep grazing on lemongrass, provided the perfect backdrop for an impromptu photoshoot with my wife as the model.

Our tiger hunt this year was truly spectacular. We clicked so many photos that my wife asked if we had run out of memory. As our stomachs began to rumble and the air grew colder, we decided to drive up to Khun Wang and set up our tent before sunset. This would allow us to cook a warm meal and enjoy the beautiful Thai sakura blossoms that we had admired all day.

Khun Wang is the most convenient place to stay overnight and camp. There are plenty of shops selling food and drinks during the festival, so you can relax and enjoy the night. We went out to take pictures of the stars together, and it was a wonderful experience.

Upon waking, I took a stroll to admire the cherry blossoms. During my visit, I observed a mix of blooming, wilting, and newly sprouted leaves. The blossoms were not yet at their peak, so I plan to return next year for a more spectacular view.

The last day after not going to Khun Mae Ya, I sat down with my wife to discuss our options. We heard that another place was in bloom: Phu Lom Lo at Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. Although it was quite far away, requiring a full day's drive, we decided to go since we would be passing by it on our way back to Rayong. We quickly packed up our tent and supplies for the car and followed the GPS to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. We arrived around 4:00 PM, just as the light was starting to fade. We quickly found a place to set up our tent and rested after a long day of driving. The next morning, we woke up early to climb Phu Lom Lo before the crowds arrived. We were met with dust and tourist shuttles, but we shared a ride with a group of young people, splitting the cost. It was a great opportunity to connect with others, and when they found out I was a photographer, they asked me to take a group photo. Of course, I was happy to oblige.

The crisp morning air and the breathtaking sunrise view create a picturesque scene.

Amidst a throng of tourists, we embarked on a photographic journey through a valley adorned with thousands of blossoming cherry trees. The spectacle was breathtaking, leaving us with weary legs but hearts filled with awe.

The photographer and I were taking photos until the driver called us back, signaling the end of the morning session. Coincidentally, the photographer's camera battery died at the same time. Despite this minor inconvenience, we consider this trip a success in our pursuit of capturing the elusive Queen's Crape Myrtle blossoms this year. We remain slightly unsatisfied, but we'll try again next year.

My review focuses on the visuals, and may not include details about the trip itself. I'm providing photo angles as a guide for friends who plan to visit next year.

Review equipment: Sony A7 II + FE 70-200 f4 + Batis 25/2 + Samyang 12mm fisheye