This trip was inspired by the desire to take my parents on a vacation. Careful planning was required, including choosing dates, destinations, and itineraries. The target audience for this trip was senior citizens, and the budget was carefully calculated to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

The program included a visit to Khao Kho to witness the breathtaking sea of mist. The 4-5 hour drive was rewarded with stunning views, allowing us to count stars and breathe in the fresh mountain air. We also visited temples for blessings and captured memorable photos at beautiful tourist attractions. The 3-day, 2-night itinerary provided ample time for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves.

"Sleep in Khao Kho for 1 day, live 1 year longer." Khao Kho, the "Switzerland of Thailand," offers breathtaking beauty and romance. A must-see is the "Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew Temple," featuring five magnificent Buddha statues. This highlight creates an unforgettable atmosphere, making it the most anticipated travel destination of the year.

Early Tuesday morning, four of us set out in a Toyota Vios, taking Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road) towards Saraburi. We turned left onto the bypass before reaching Saraburi and headed towards Lopburi-Phetchabun on Highway 21. We passed through various districts in Lopburi province until we reached Mueang Phetchabun district. About 13 kilometers beyond Mueang district, we reached Nang Pua intersection and turned left onto Highway 2258 (Nang Pua-Khao Kho Road). We passed the Neun Mahasajan Test Hill, various tourist attractions, and resorts on Khao Kho for about 34 kilometers. The total journey took approximately 5 hours. Choosing to travel via Neun Mahasajan Road (2258) was a bit nerve-wracking, but I couldn't show it because I was the driver. There were even special warnings to be extra careful. However, looking at the map, it saved a lot of distance and time, so I decided to take the risk.

The journey was exhilarating, with winding S-curves that kept us on the edge of our seats. We finally reached our accommodation on the mountaintop (a round of applause for ourselves!). The surrounding landscape was dotted with strawberry farms, resorts, hospitals, police stations, viewpoints, and tourist attractions, all within easy driving distance. We arrived at our accommodation, "Khao Kho Sea of Mist Resort," around 4:30 PM, greeted by a refreshing drizzle. Fortunately, we chose to stay here because it is the best spot for viewing the sea of mist in Khao Kho district. However, whether we will be able to see the mist with such heavy rain remains to be seen.

The breathtaking panoramic views from this vantage point are especially stunning at dusk, with the **"Rattanai Reservoir"** nestled amidst the mountains creating a truly romantic ambiance. Now, it's time to unwind and recharge for tomorrow's adventures. Let's keep the momentum going!

Waking up at 5 am on Wednesday, the air was frigid at 17 degrees Celsius. The sound of relentless rain filled the air, but a faint mist could still be seen through the doorway. Grabbing my camera, I took a quick selfie at the viewpoint before heading out for breakfast. A thought crossed my mind: would we be stuck at the resort today? We had traveled nearly 400 kilometers. I decided to give the rain until 9 am. If it didn't stop, we would leave. The rain continued unabated, so we ventured out, getting soaked and chilled. Despite the discomfort, the charm of the rainy day brought a sense of warmth as we spent time with family and close friends.

Starting from the resort, turn left and head down the hill. The first stop is the **"Khao Kho Post Office Viewpoint"**. In this chilly weather, you can find a variety of warm drinks to choose from, including hot coffee, tea, or milk for 20-25 baht per cup. Soft drinks are also available for those who prefer something cold. The next stop is the **"Phra Borommathat Kanchanapisek Chedi"**, located on the right-hand side next to the Wichmai Bunyaram Monastery. This stupa contains relics from Sri Lanka. It is said that those who visit Khao Kho should pay their respects to the Buddha statue inside for good luck and blessings for themselves and their families. Ringing the bells on the side of the Phra Borommathat Kanchanapisek Chedi is believed to bring longevity (make sure to ring all of them). With such a belief, how could we miss it?

Descending the mountain, we stopped by "BN Farm" to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables as well as various processed health products. Before entering, we were greeted by the stunning sight of a bamboo tunnel.

The Enchanting "Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew"

Despite the relentless rain that soaked us to the bone and ruined our shoes, forcing us to borrow a friend's pair, we were filled with joy to finally reach the magnificent "Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew." This sacred temple, nestled amidst the serene landscape, is a testament to the five Buddhas and a true sanctuary for the soul.

Though currently undergoing renovations, the temple's beauty remains captivating. Its unique charm, unlike anything we've seen before, left us awestruck. The intricate details and serene atmosphere transported us to a heavenly realm, filling us with a profound sense of peace and tranquility.

We were fortunate to participate in the temple rituals, offering prayers, making merit, and gilding the "ลูกนิมิตร" (sacred orbs). This experience left an indelible mark on our hearts, reminding us of the profound power of faith and the transformative nature of spiritual practice.

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After making merit, the next stop was Pinolata Cafe to indulge in a coffee break with friends. We ordered four iced cappuccinos, hoping for a quick drink before heading back to our accommodation as it was already 4-5 pm. However, to our surprise, the wait stretched beyond 40 minutes due to the bustling crowd. While waiting, we took the opportunity to capture some scenic shots of the cafe's various corners. The highlight was undoubtedly the aerial view of Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew. Unfortunately, the cloudy and rainy sky that day resulted in less-than-ideal photos. Additionally, using only a mobile phone for photography limited the sharpness and clarity of the images.

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Thursday morning, we had to check out. It was another meaningful morning as we took photos with our parents to capture the good memories. We planned to visit a couple more places before heading back. At first, when I read about the "Itthi Base (Weapons Museum)", I felt indifferent. But I secretly thought that we should learn about the local history, especially since we were in Khao Kho and had brought our parents with us. They might be interested. So, we decided to leave our accommodation and turn right to go to the "Itthi Base". The fog was thicker than yesterday, making it difficult to see the road while driving. We had to be extra careful, especially on the winding uphill roads. Luckily, the uphill and downhill roads were separate. It was worth the time. The views were stunning, especially with the fog. This base was once strategically important. It was a base for artillery guns that fought to reclaim Khao Kho from the communists. Today, it displays various war weapons, including F-5 fighter jets, cannons, tank wreckage, and bunkers for shelter. It is open daily for a 10 baht entrance fee. However, our parents, who are over 60 years old, received two free tickets.

The Next Stop: Windmill Field

The next stop was "Windmill Field," which required another drive up the mountain. Upon arrival, we parked the car and purchased tickets for the open-air tram ride that took us through the Windmill Field, exposing us to the chilly wind. The ticket price was 60 baht per person. On the day of our visit, there was an announcement that there were no strawberries available for picking (tourists are usually allowed to pick them for free). As for the windmills, we only heard the loud whirring of the blades, which sounded similar to airplane engines. To capture good photos, we had to wait for the sun to come out so that the giant blades would be visible.

Instead of picking strawberries, we ended up buying sticky rice and grilled corn, contributing to the local economy. There were vendors of various ethnicities, including Thai and hill tribe people. The shops offered a variety of food and drinks, such as grilled corn, hot sticky rice, grilled pork with sticky rice, noodles, fresh strawberries, and snow lotus, allowing visitors to choose according to their preferences.

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Or, if you're not interested in shopping, you can take photos. There are giant swings made of bamboo for tourists to sit on and take beautiful pictures, but be prepared to wait in a long queue. The view from the top is breathtaking and incredibly romantic.

After descending the mountain, it's time to head home. Try changing your route to enjoy the scenery of Phetchabun. Even though it's a bit of a detour, you'll get new perspectives. Take Highway 12 straight to Lom Sak - Chai Badan District - Lopburi - Saraburi and Bangkok.

The trip was tiring, but we were happy to be together. We shared stories of joy and sorrow along the way, making it a meaningful and enjoyable experience. Who knows how many more times our family will be able to travel together? We don't need to wait for heaven to experience this kind of happiness. ^^