As the rainy season arrives, the desire to witness verdant landscapes, inhale the scent of rain, and immerse oneself in the misty air intensifies. Nature's embrace provides a soothing balm for the mind's incessant chatter. Driven by this yearning, I embarked on a solo journey to Chiang Mai during the Buddhist Lent period. Initially, I planned a brief five-to-six-day getaway, but the allure of the city extended my stay to nearly ten days. The experience was so captivating that I would readily return, despite the eventual satiation.

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This trip, we traveled by a special express train that is a new model. It was so magnificent! The whole train was full of foreigners, hardly any Thai people at all.

A comfortable sleep all the way to Chiang Mai. Arriving in Chiang Mai just in time for morning, the only plan I had at that time was to go to Baan Mae Klang Luang to contact the homestay through the Ecotourism Service Center. That was the only real plan. Where to go next, how many days to stay, when to return? To be honest, I had no idea. I'll think about it again tonight. It was like this almost every night until I ended up spending 8 nights in Chiang Mai. Haha. Back at the train station, we had to find a red car to the Chiang Mai Gate bus queue. In the end, we had to give in to the 50 baht fare to avoid wasting too much time. From Chiang Mai Gate, we had to take a yellow songthaew on the Chiang Mai - Chom Thong route to get off in front of Wat Phra That Sri Chom Thong. The fare was 35 baht. When we arrived at the temple, we walked a little further and found the Chom Thong - Mae Chaem bus queue. This is where we had to take the bus to the village. The fare was 70 baht for the whole journey.

This is the car we will take to Mae Klang Luang Village.

After a short motorbike ride, we arrived at the entrance of the village, located at Km 26 on the Doi Inthanon road. A 500-meter walk led us to the ecotourism service center. Upon arrival, a villager kindly invited us to sit at Som Sak's coffee shop, perhaps out of concern for a lone traveler like myself. The coffee shop serves as a central hub, where visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee and engage in conversation with the owner.

We planned to visit Pha Dok Siew Waterfall. Beforehand, Mr. Somsak arranged for a guide and a car to take us to the trailhead. Since the waterfall is located in a remote area, it is necessary to hire a local guide to access it. The cost is only 200 baht per group, which also helps to generate income for the local community. The hike to the waterfall can be done as a round trip, with the option to hike up and then have the car pick us up, or to have the car drop us off at the top and then hike back down to the village. Let's go see the waterfall!

The uppermost waterfall

Our local guide

It looks amazing for playing in the water!

This bridge is considered a highlight for photography.

When you arrive at Mae Klang Luang, be sure to walk to Pha Dok Siew Waterfall as well.

Upon arriving at the village, we stored our luggage at the homestay where we would be staying. The homestay cost 350 baht and included two meals. After a brief conversation with the homeowner, we went for a walk and took photos around the village. The villagers were incredibly kind and welcoming, which made us feel very happy.

Mae Klang Luang Village is a Pga K'nyau village located at the 26th kilometer of the Doi Inthanon mountain road. While the village may be known to tourists for its rice terraces and Pha Dok Siew Waterfall, we believe that the true charm of any place lies in the unique way of life of its community. This way of life allows outsiders to experience the community's culture and drives its growth in a specific direction. There is no better way to experience this than through a true homestay, where you can live and eat with the villagers, exchange stories, and gather around a fire to chat. Even if you don't understand everything they say, you'll always feel the genuine kindness of the Pga K'nyau people. Come and experience it for yourself; it's truly heartwarming. The main attractions include: rice terraces surrounding the village, Pi Sam Sak Coffee Shop, Aum Eib Coffee Shop, another coffee shop with stunning rice terrace views on the other side of the village, Pha Dok Siew Waterfall, a short 3 km jungle trek that requires a local guide and is not difficult but incredibly beautiful, and Doi Huaser, a longer trek that we plan to do on our next visit.

Stroll through the rice fields in the village

The rice plants will be very beautiful when they grow taller.

As night fell, the villagers invited me to join their conversation. A nearby house was preparing a laab, so I was able to participate in the lively discussion. Although I couldn't understand everything, the warm atmosphere made me feel welcome.

After spending a day at Baan Mae Klang Luang, we pondered our next destination. Numerous possibilities crossed our minds, but we ultimately settled on Baan Ton Mai in Chiang Dao, a place we had long desired to visit. With our travel plans and accommodation for the following day arranged, we retired for the night.

Waking up early to capture one last view of the rice fields before leaving.

Morning rice field

Nestled amidst serene surroundings, this village offers a tranquil escape for those seeking a glimpse into the authentic lifestyle of the local hill tribe community. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of cascading waterfalls and cascading rice terraces, while experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the friendly villagers.

It's time to bid farewell to Mae Klang Luang village.

Let's continue our journey to Mae Mae village in Chiang Dao. Please continue the discussion in the comments below.

After leaving the village, take the same bus route back to Chiang Mai to transfer to the Treehouse. To get to the Treehouse from Chiang Mai, take the Chiang Mai - Tha Ton bus and get off at the Seven Eleven in Mae Na for 40 baht. Then arrange for the Treehouse to pick you up, which will cost 600 baht for a round-trip taxi. However, the views along the way are well worth it. The Treehouse is located in Mae Mae Village, Mae Na Subdistrict, Chiang Dao District. It is a village in the forest with a stream running through it. This place is considered to be very close to nature and peaceful, making it ideal for relaxation. The villagers here live in harmony with nature and do not cut down trees, so you will see many large trees in the area.

We have arrived at the treehouse.

Accommodation fee: 750 baht per person, including two meals. If you don't want meals, the price will be per house.
We were very lucky to have the last room available, and it was actually a treehouse!

Here it is on the actual tree. It has a fan and a built-in bathroom.

Let's take a look at the atmosphere here. It's really a place where you could spend a month relaxing.

If you're bored of lying down, you can walk down to the stream below and sit there. Go soak in the cool water.

At Mae Mae Village, there are short hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, making it possible for a round trip within a day. You can contact your accommodation for a guide for 300 baht.

I'll continue later. Zzzzz Let's continue with the village in the morning. The air is so good!

If you look out the window after staying in a treehouse, you will see this. Let's go for a walk and see the morning atmosphere. It's quite quiet, and sometimes you'll see children on their way to school.

Those who visit Mae Mae village are guaranteed to be captivated by its tranquility, the kindness of its people, and the fresh air. Whether you choose to relax and unwind or embark on a hike through the surrounding wilderness, you'll find something to love here. For those who appreciate villages nestled amidst nature that have preserved their traditional way of life, Mae Mae will leave a lasting impression. Make sure to add it to your list of places to revisit. Mae Mae village, Chiang Dao.

See you again, Treehouse.
After leaving the Treehouse, the uncle who was our host drove us out as usual. On the way, we chatted with him, admiring the scenery along the road. Occasionally, the peak of Doi Luang Chiang Dao would appear, offering a spectacular view. We planned to stay in Chiang Mai for a night or two, visit a friend in the city, and then decide what to do next. We opened Agoda to search for accommodation. Traveling alone, I couldn't escape the hostel option. Haha! Then I came across a cool hostel, which was amazing. Let's see where it is and what it's like.
The uncle dropped us off across from the same 7-Eleven to wait for the bus to Chiang Mai, the same route as before: Chiang Mai-Fang-Tha Ton, 40 baht. After a while, we arrived at Chang Phuak Bus Terminal. The hostel we were going to stay at was in Nimmanhaemin Soi 15. Now, how to get there? Red car or walk? Checking Google Maps, it was more than 3 km. As a seasoned hiker, I had to choose to walk. Haha! We walked leisurely and arrived at our super cool hostel, which is...

Baan Mek Hostel

The hostel features single beds in individual compartments, resembling Japanese-style rooms (though I haven't been to Japan, so it's just a guess). It's a unique and private setup. Shared bathrooms are available, separated by gender. Wi-Fi is provided, and the price per night is only 350 baht. This makes it a convenient and affordable option for exploring Nimmanhaemin Road.

Hostel entrance

The ground floor will be the living area, while the bedrooms will be on the second and third floors.

The bedroom is equipped with electrical outlets for your convenience.

After two days of trekking in the mountains, I decided to take a break and enjoy the comforts of the city. I met up with some friends for a casual gathering. The next day happened to be Asalha Puja Day, so I decided to go for a solo candlelit procession. It was quite a sight to behold! I've traveled solo many times, but this was my first time participating in a candlelit procession alone. The nearby temple, Wat Suan Dok, is a magnificent royal temple within walking distance.

The sky above Wat Suan Dok is still bright.

After two days of relaxing at the hostel, it was time to continue my journey. I wasn't sure where to go or when to return to Lopburi. When I checked for train tickets, they were all booked for several days, so my trip was extended by another five nights. I decided to find a place that was easily accessible by bus. I stumbled upon a farm stay called "Yoodin Kin Dee Farmstay" in Mae Rim district. The atmosphere looked great, and it wasn't far from the city. In the morning, I called the owner and arranged for a pick-up at Mae Rim Plaza. We took a yellow songthaew, a shared taxi, from Chiang Mai to Mae Rim for around 10 baht. When we arrived at Mae Rim Plaza, the owner, Mr. Tong, was waiting for us. He was very friendly and kind, and since I was traveling alone, he invited me to join him for dinner. The "Yoodin Kin Dee Farmstay" is a farm stay with rice fields, vegetable plots, and chickens. The atmosphere was fantastic, and with the owner's hospitality, I had a wonderful time.

This is "Yoodin Kin Dee Farmstay."

This is the house we will be staying in, the last one. It costs 600 baht including breakfast. During high season, the price will be different.
Let's take a look at the atmosphere in the farmstay.

That night, we had dinner with P'Ton and P'Tong, the owners of the accommodation. They were very kind to us. In addition to cooking for us, they also chatted with us and told us about their travels, including hiking, which we already enjoyed. They also contacted a motorbike rental shop in Mae Rim for us in case we wanted to go anywhere the next day. That night, we planned to go to Mon Cham, which was nearby. It was another night that we didn't feel lonely traveling alone. It was such a warm dinner to talk to our senior travelers like this. It was a wonderful coincidence that we found this accommodation in the morning and ended up at the same table with the owners in the evening. Haha, we didn't have a plan until we were sitting in the car. We were so engrossed in listening to P'Ton's story that it was time to go back to the accommodation and sleep. In the morning, our plan changed! Originally, we were going to Mon Cham, but then we remembered that we had wanted to visit Lung Dech's tea plantation for a long time. So we checked the GPS and it wasn't too far away, about 40 kilometers. So we decided to change our plan and go there instead. Haha, we can really change our plans at any time.

Morning view at the farmstay

Bidding farewell to P'Ton and P'Tong, we continued our journey. "Yoodin Kin Dee Farmstay" is located in Ban Mae Nai, Mae Ram Subdistrict, Mae Rim District. Follow the GPS if you're driving. Time to ride! Our next destination is Lung Dech Tea Plantation in Mueang Khua, Mae Taeng District, or Mon Ngo. Besides the accommodation with stunning views of the mountains and tea plantations, there's also the Mon Ngo Royal Project, where you can camp or stay in a guesthouse. To get there from Mae Rim District, drive towards Mae Taeng District and turn left at Mae Malai Junction, the road to Pai. Keep driving until you pass the last 7-Eleven before Pai. The village entrance is on the right, opposite Wat Sop Paeng. Drive up the mountain for about ten kilometers, and you'll reach Mueang Khua, our charming destination.

The view on the way to the village entrance was beautiful, but we didn't take any pictures.

We arrived in Mae Kuai and stopped by the Mong Nga Royal Project for a quick photo before heading to Uncle Dech's tea plantation.

This tranquil mountain village offers a perfect escape for those seeking a slow-paced life amidst the serenity of nature, allowing the tranquility of the surroundings to soothe the mind.

We have arrived at Uncle Dech's tea plantation.

Accommodation options are limited here, mainly consisting of tent camping sites. We believe this is a positive aspect, as it allows for a more immersive experience and stunning views. After settling into your accommodation, take some time to admire the scenery and capture some memorable photos.

The window of the room opened to reveal this.

The deep-fried tea leaves were incredibly delicious. The kitchen here prepares exquisite dishes, with a wide variety of tea-infused options.
After our conversation with Uncle Dech, we gained new insights into white tea and Assam tea, a Thai tea variety. We were surprised to learn about the existence of indigenous Thai tea varieties.
As the evening approached, heavy rain began to fall, forcing us to abandon our plan to ascend Mon Ngo Mountain. We decided to relax and enjoy the moment instead.

After the rain, we were treated to a spectacular display of mist. In the evening, after dinner, we sat down to chat with Uncle Dech and two other traveling sisters. "I think this is enough," Uncle Dech said. "I don't want to do too much. I'm happy now." This was one of the things Uncle Dech said to us during our conversation. After talking to him, we were impressed by his approach to life and his commitment to his own way of making a living. This trip was like a coincidence that brought us here because we had no travel plans. Fate led us to meet the kind-hearted Uncle Dech and hear the story of his tea plantation. We can only hope that the town of Khao Kho will remain a peaceful and livable village like this forever. After talking late into the night, it was time to go to bed. I've forgotten which night it is now, haha.

The rain fell almost all night, so when I woke up this morning, I saw this kind of fog.

The white mist and the verdant forest are truly refreshing.

It's time to say goodbye.
It's time to say goodbye to Uncle and my two sisters. This is another place we must come back to, not just because of the nature, but also because of the people here who make us want to come back again. If we have the chance, we will definitely come back. Lundej Tea Plantation in Mae Hong Son.
Our trip is almost over. We just have to wait for the train for another two days, but we don't plan to go anywhere else. We just plan to sleep in the city at the same hostel, walk around and find something to eat. Just relax.
When you travel for a long time without a plan, you often wake up with questions like: What day is it? When do we go back? What's next? People who travel for a few days may not feel it. Try traveling without a plan for many days and you'll see. Hahaha.
Traveling alone is fun. I meet a lot of people and make a lot of new friends. I'm not lonely.
Oh, for those who want to visit the city, we recommend trying a museum. We recommend one, the Lanna Folklife Museum, located opposite the Three Kings Monument.

See you again on the next trip. This trip is over. I've written too much. Hahaha.

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