During the recent Valentine's Day holiday, I had the opportunity to travel to Pang Ung in Mae Hong Son province.

Eager to finally embark on this journey, I arranged to join forces with a seasoned bachelorette from the office, a woman with extensive flying experience, or as she's affectionately known, "The Bird."

This was my first time visiting Pang Ung. The air was fantastic because it's located at a high altitude. In the morning, it wasn't hot, and the temperature was perfect. However, at night, it was incredibly cold! But it was still bearable, not uncomfortably cold.

This trip, we traveled with "P'Somchai Tour". The journey took almost twelve hours, arriving in Mae Hong Son province. The route was winding, so if you are prone to motion sickness, it is advisable to take medication and sleep.

Mr. Somchai led us from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son.

Upon arriving in Mae Hong Son, we negotiated with the driver of a yellow car to take us to Pang Ung. However, due to the large number of people in our group and other groups, we had to transfer from the yellow car to a pickup truck. This was a convenient arrangement for us.

This is the yellow car that will take us to Pang Oung, our final destination.

The 90 baht ride took us to our destination, "Pang Ung", in no time at all.

Before embarking on our stroll through Pang Ung, we decided to drop off our bags at our accommodation. For the night, we would be staying at Jing Homestay, a charming and laid-back guesthouse. We paid 500 baht per room for the wooden houses with thatched roofs. There were no fans, as the cool mountain air rendered them unnecessary. However, there was also no hot water, so if you're sensitive to the cold, be sure to shower before nightfall. Otherwise, be prepared to let out a scream, as even a midday shower can be quite chilly.

Our accommodation for the night in Pang Ung: Jao Homestay.

Let's chill out in front of our accommodation for a bit before we head out to explore Pang Ung.

After settling into our accommodation, we ventured out in search of sustenance. Our first meal in Pang Ung was at the Krua Thai Yai restaurant, conveniently located next to our lodging. Driven by ravenous hunger, we ordered a feast. The "Gai Oop" resembled a southern Thai stir-fry but with a milder flavor. The "Yum Bai Cha" turned out to be a canned fish salad with tea leaves, an amusing combination that surprisingly pleased our palates. The "Nam Prik Ong," a sweet and creamy chili dip, was served in a thinner consistency than usual. Accompanied by fresh vegetables, it offered a healthy and satisfying bite. The total bill for our seven-dish banquet came to a reasonable 550 baht.

We love "Gai Uub" the most. Just talking about it makes us want to eat another plate.

After a hearty meal, we decided to take in the breathtaking scenery of Pang Ung. The moment we stepped onto the path, our hearts were filled with joy. The sight of the reservoir surrounded by mountains was simply indescribable. The cool, refreshing air added to the overall serenity of the experience. If you're planning a romantic getaway with your significant other, a stroll hand-in-hand while admiring the stunning views would be an unforgettable experience. But if you're flying solo, don't worry, you can still enjoy the beauty by holding your own hand! 5555





The ambiance is so inviting, I could just sit here and relax for a while. The atmosphere is great, but going solo makes me a little sad, haha.

Pang Ung is home to the beautiful Dok Phaya Sua Krong flowers and towering pine trees. The abundance of these trees creates a cool and refreshing atmosphere, making it a perfect escape from the heat. However, with so many pine trees around, one can't help but wonder when someone will finally "pine" for them. After all, walking alone can get a bit lonely.

</em>


Strolling around, I came across a pair of black swans, further emphasizing my single status! Who knew swans could make people envious? 555 The swans here are so adorable. They seem to know that people want to take pictures of them, so they come close to allow for clear shots. You could say it's their job, these swans.

In the distance, we spotted a lone white swan, while its partner remained close to the opposite bank. It seems we share a similar situation, with our partners residing on the other side (which side, exactly?).


After a short walk, I was hungry again. So I decided to have some light snacks, such as deep-fried mantou and fried soybeans (where's the light part?). But since I was already here, I had to try them, especially the fried soybeans. They were so delicious, like eating French fries! The texture was smooth and easy to eat. A set costs only 20 baht. The mantou dipped in milk was also good! It was sold for 10 baht per piece. I also had a cup of black sesame soybean milk for 10 baht, which went well with the snacks.

The previous meal was considered light compared to the 555-baht pork buffet. One set was never enough for five hungry people, so we ended up ordering three sets plus an additional set of just pork. We were comfortably full. As we ate, the temperature dropped rapidly to around 15 degrees Celsius, making the walk back to our accommodation quite chilly. As for showering, well, you can probably guess whether we did or not. We slept with the smell of grilled pork still on us. It was a good kind of exhaustion!

Everything must yield to the power of grilled pork. Eating it during the cold, chilly weather is the ultimate pleasure!

**Morning of the 2nd**

Waking up around 6 am to board a raft and admire the mist on the water's surface. If you come to Pang Ung and don't take a raft, it's like you haven't really arrived. The raft costs 150 baht. The air is so fresh that you can see your breath. The mist on the water's surface is real. You have to admire the brothers and sisters who are hired to row. They must have strong arms. When one couple gets off, another couple gets on. Their arm muscles must be huge! 555

The mist over the water is truly breathtaking. You don't need to travel abroad to find stunning destinations; Thailand has many beautiful places to visit, and this is one you shouldn't miss. While the journey may be long, the destination is well worth it. You must try it!





#mae hong son#pang ung
Comments