The breathtaking beauty of Mae Pan Waterfall and the star-studded night sky at Doi Luang Chiang Dao.

It's time to pack our bags and head north again to embrace the cool breeze of winter. As an avid traveler, staying still is not an option. We usually avoid traveling during long holiday weekends due to the crowds and competition for food and photo opportunities. Therefore, we planned our trip for the end of January when the number of tourists has subsided. Our destination is Kew Mae Pan, a challenging hiking trail known as the "Path of Love," to test our endurance and celebrate our second wedding anniversary. We also aim to spend a night under the starry sky at Doi Luang Chiang Dao.

Let's embark on our journey! As usual, we've opted to travel in support of the Ministry of Transport. This trip, we're switching things up and taking the Thai train. I was really hoping to experience the new model, but unfortunately, it was fully booked. So, we'll be riding the classic Thai train instead. Oh well, it's still a train after all. We've booked sleeper tickets from Hua Lamphong all the way to Chiang Mai.

We woke up before 5:00 AM, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. We got up to wash our faces and brush our teeth before the others arrived. Then, at 6:00 AM, the sun rose, revealing a mist clinging to the windowsill. Oh! This was the climax of our train journey, as it felt like we were traveling through fog the entire morning. We were so engrossed that we momentarily forgot about the train's delay. (**True beauty does not demand attention.** **Point 1**) A proverb once said (apologies, I can't recall the source) that I read and loved. It seemed genuine and unpretentious.

Upon arriving in Chiang Mai, we were warmly welcomed by our lovely hostess, Yo, a friend from our junior high school days. Our friendship spans over 20 years, so you don't have to guess our ages! 555

On the second day, we aimed to experience the cool breeze at Kew Mae Pan, Doi Inthanon. Our guide was Yo, a friend, and her family (her husband, Man, and their lovely daughter, Gam). Yo had been here before, but she wanted to come again because every trip, even to the same place, always brings new memories and experiences. We smiled and thanked Yo for her positive attitude towards life and for taking us on this trip together. 😊

Upon reaching the entrance to the Giw Mae Pan Nature Study Trail, we were greeted by a cool breeze and a chill that numbed our faces, causing us to slow our pace. (We found excuses to linger) We were captivated by the scenery on both sides of the path.

Amidst the lush greenery, we trailed behind N้องแก้ม, realizing that we couldn't keep up with her youthful energy. Her enthusiasm invigorated us, making us want to play and have fun, rekindling our inner child. As Yo once said, "Traveling always brings new encounters." This allure drew us to this destination and every other place we yearn to explore. Finally, we reached the scenic viewpoint, the highlight of our journey. Its breathtaking beauty instantly erased our fatigue. The absence of large crowds, contrary to our expectations, allowed us to fully appreciate the view and capture countless photographs.

Our guide asked if we were ready to continue, and we immediately asked back, "Go further? This is already beautiful enough." However, the guide told us that if we were to come here, we had to go all the way, to every point until the very end. We heard from several groups in the area that they had given up and were going back the way they came, which the guide said was a shorter distance than what we were going to continue. But since we were already there, everyone agreed to go ahead and continue the journey. This made us feel the energy of the young girl, who gave us the strength to keep going.

We were the only group out of four that chose to continue the journey. We climbed the mountain, walking along the edge of a cliff, which was quite a challenge for our male companions who are afraid of heights. However, along the way, our guide introduced us to wild fruits, letting us taste them, and pointed out wild roses.

A rare orchid, blooming only once a year, graces the cliff's edge. This is the perfect time to witness its beauty. The stunning view of the orchid, **"Kew Mae Pan,"** leaves us speechless. Its breathtaking beauty evokes a desire to shout, "Kew Mae Pan, you are truly magnificent!"

We are grateful to our guide, who went above and beyond their duties to show us the beauty and wonder of nature. They truly have a passion for their work. While they could have taken a shorter and less strenuous route, they chose to share this experience with us. We are fortunate to have met them. Thank you again! 😊

On the third day, we waved goodbye to Brother Man and Sister Gam. Thank you to this lovely family for taking care of us at a 5-star level. It's no wonder why friends who come to Chiang Mai want to visit them, because they miss this kind of friendship.

Thank you. We took a bus to Chiang Dao District and planned to spend the night there to watch the starry sky. When we arrived in Chiang Dao District, we initially considered renting a motorbike, as we had read in a review that it was possible to rent one and ride up the mountain. While we were discussing, a kind woman approached us and asked where we were going. We told her that we were going to Ban Doi Mok, and she offered to take us for 50 baht each. Her customer had not yet arrived, and their appointment had been postponed by two hours. She was happy to take us first, and if we waited for the bus, it could take up to an hour. So we decided to go with her. The road up the mountain was winding and steep, and we were very glad that we had not rented a motorbike. We must also thank the kind woman for this.😊 When we arrived at the accommodation, we were given a tent at the front.

The view was surrounded by majestic mountains, standing tall and beautiful. Our tent even had a private bathroom, which we didn't expect as we understood that shared bathrooms are the norm for tent accommodations. This was a special surprise from the owner, who wanted to treat the first guests of the day. The tent was fully booked today, exceeding our expectations. We are truly impressed. Thank you!

After packing, we went for a walk and visited the Center Point (a small shop in the village) to grab a bite to eat before dinner, which we had to eat back at our accommodation. The accommodation, Doi Mok House, included two meals: dinner.

And the next morning.

An unexpected incident occurred while we were strolling around, admiring the sights. My ankle twisted, and I fell onto the side of the road. The pain was excruciating, and tears streamed down my face. Unable to walk, the gentleman accompanying me had to carry me on his back to a nearby villager's hut to rest. Thankfully, we had purchased water beforehand, and he used the ice from the cup to apply a cold compress to my ankle. The swelling was immediately noticeable.

Fortunately, two women who had just parked their car nearby approached us and inquired about my condition. One of them, a doctor, provided me with pain medication for three doses. We were incredibly lucky to encounter such kind and helpful individuals who came to our aid during this ankle crisis. We are truly grateful. 😊

Hobbling back to our accommodation, we arrived just in time for dinner. The sight of the food being served was a welcome sight.

The pain in my ankle vanished as soon as I stepped onto the stage. The meal cost a hundred baht, but the atmosphere was worth a million. Every beautiful moment, every song, popped into my head right then and there.

The night sky, filled with stars, appeared before us, revealing its true beauty. (Point 3) No wifi, no phone signal, no TV. We sat and talked about this and that, gazing intently at the stars. How many days do we get to do this? If we go back to reality, we'll probably be sitting back to back, staring at our phones. Haha. I slept soundly in the tent, despite the pain in my ankle and the cold air. I felt warm because someone was taking good care of me. Thank you, Mr. Man. 😊

Despite the lingering pain in my ankle, I was fortunate to have received medication from my companion, which provided much-needed relief. I cannot imagine the extent of my suffering had I not had access to this medication. As the gentle morning sun began to peek through, it seemed to signal the time for our departure.

Chiang Dao ⭐️ Thank you for letting us see the sky full of stars, filling our eyes with a sight that no photograph can capture. It's a memory that can only be experienced firsthand.

Traveling allows us to learn about each other. The friendships formed on this trip have warmed our hearts. We can't recall how many times or to whom we've expressed our gratitude. It's simply too much. For this journey, a simple "thank you" is insufficient.

The True Beauty Will Not Demand Attention, So We Set Out to Find It.

See you on the next trip, thanks 😊