DOI PHA HOM POK, CHIANG MAI 2006 Part 7

Note from BlogMaster: Hi, long time no see. As I mentioned in the last part that it was my last post in Thailand, it took me a very long time until I can find some times for myself in this country. Anyway, at last, and even though this part is no picture, it's full of story!! It's very hard to write this part of the debate. I''ve tried to keep it as neutral as possible.

This story continues from Part 6 - The index of this series is here

**THE BIG DEBATE**

Since it was a very long and tough journey which started early, I and the others took some more sleep for a couple of hours. Inside the tent, I had a very deep and peaceful sleep which I didn't have the night before.

I slept longer than I should and finally woke up at almost 2 p.m. I left my tent and found that everyone was there with the driver, who brought another group of tourist to the mountain today. They were discussing somethings serious.

'Oh, come on, sleepy guy, we're waiting for you.' Ple started 'You come in a right time.'

'So, what's up?' I replied

'We're discussing about leaving to Doi Ang Khang' Far replied 'Some people think that there is nothing to do here anymore. What do you think?'

'W-H-A-T-?' I was quite surprised by that subject because it has been agreed beforehand that we'll stay in Doi Pha Hom Pok for 2 nights and then we may return to the Chiang Mai city to buy some souvenirs. At least 2 people out of 6, by the support of the driver, want to leave the mountain today, heading to Doi Ang Khang to visit the famous flower garden. The other 3 people said they did not yet decide. I felt I was being unnecessarily roused, many things came to my mind at that moment. 'Why you want to change the plan? How far from here to that Doi? Where are we going to stay? We even pay for our night here in advance to the National Park Office...'

'It'll take about 4 hours, 2 hours downhill and another 2 hours uphill. We can easily find the place to stay there.' Sharp answers but from the driver 'I know some nice places there where we can stay.'

At that moment, I've lost my nerve. I didn't know what happen before I woke up but it's clearly that the one who persuade my friends is him. He even answer those questions aggressively, although I didn't ask him. I noticed the strange smell. I was about to shout at him, but Far, like she knew it, was quicker and said in a steady voice:

'Erm... could you please wait a little? Let us decide and we will tell you the answer'

The driver seemed to know that he shouldn't be there anymore. He agreed and left the group. The debate then started again. I tried to cool my head down as much as possible.

'We agreed beforehand about the itinerary, didn't we?'

'Anyway, A, personally, I'm quite agree with them that we've nothing more to do here.' Far explained 'If we go to Doi Ang Khang, there'll be more things to do. And our trip will be more worthwhile--'

'I don't think so... We can do many things, even walk to that Sakura Hill or cycling around... the problem is, we're just too tired to do it.' I didn't wait until she finished. 'I want to stay here tonight!'

'Why?' She was starting to be pissed off by my rudeness

'Because......' I paused, my brain couldn't catch up with the conversation 'Because, we didn't plan it. And It's getting late, It's 2 p.m. now. I think the quickest we can leave will be at 3 and we'll arrive there after dusk, this really fear me.'

I spoke what I just thought and it did shill my spine. How many times I've seen news about cars falling into abyss. This reason really cool me down since I knew that it was a good-enough reason. I had to convince them more, so I continue...

'I'm okay to go to Doi Ang Khang but as I've said, it's not a good time to leave here. Additionally, apart from his promise, we don't really know about the accommodation option there. I didn't review about it because we didn't plan to go there. We've girls with us, havn't we?'

'What's more? Did you ask him about the cost he'll charge us... I --'

'He said the price is the same' Ple answered and the others nodded their heads.

'The same? How can that be?' I argued 'That is too generous. I'll ask him again.'

I thought my reasons were good enough. I felt it's my responsible at that time. However, only Far has been persuaded and Kiead were kept quiet. As Far decided to make it democracy way, Ple and Jean still wanted to go. Only one vote left was Jeab and that really scared me since she might vote the same as Jane. She sat in an unusual quiet.

'What about you Jeab?' Far asked her softly. She stayed quiet for a while, then, Jane said something:

'You want to go, don't you?'

He tried to persuade Jeab to vote for him but, actually, in my point of view, it's like he's forcing on her. At last, she spoke.

'It's up to the group. If we want to go, I'll go.'

This mean that all the vote: positive, negative, and neutral, are equal. Trying to end this, Jane kept trying to let her say she want to go. After little while, she burst into tears.

'What's happen Jeab?' Ple was the first one to reach her. I was stunned, didn't know what to do next. Things are getting worst...

Jeab told us about her sickness. She didn't sleep well last night and felt really sick after the long-haul up and down the mountain. It seemed like she wanted to puke. I sat still. Girls and Jane tried to comfort her, but at the same time, he try to ask the leading question that she is okay. He really want to go there.

'I think she's not ready, whatever she'll say!!' I spoke it out but didn't aim my eyes at the couple, it's their matter. However, the responsibility for the safety of the group is my matter. "I'll do everything I should." I said to myself.

After a while, and a little more debate, we came to the point of consensus that we'll head to Doi Ang Khang in the first light of the morning, so today Jeab can rest.

Not only Jane was in a bad temper, I was another one. I'm sorry to say that his self-righteous really pissed me off!!!

THIS STORY CONTINUES IN THE NEXT PART

DOI PHA HOM POK, CHIANG MAI 2006 Part 6

This story continues from Part 5 - The index of this series is here

**DOWNWARD THE SLOPE**

'Well, we'd better climb down.' our guide said, 'Other groups have gone, don't you hungry? If not... I am.' he smiled.

'Sounds like a good idea.' I answered, 'Do we have to go back to the same way we climbed?'

'There are two ways' he answered 'Another one is on the opposite side, leading to that sakura field' he then pointed one beautiful pale pink hill in the mist.' my eyes gleamed with the light of adventure. My stamina recovered, partially.

'Well, is it difficult? Is it far? And how can we return to our camp?' Far shot questions one after another in her fashion.

'Around 4 kilometres. Not far, but the way is steep,' he answered, 'a little bit more sheer than what we've climbed. That hill is 7km far from our camp and the path is not so rough. We can go back that way, it's like a circle.'

'Can we go there?' I asked Mr. guide and turning to my friends as well.

'Choice is yours. But if you ask me, I won't recommend you to go further because you don't bring any provision with you, am I right? Climb down to your tent and have some food then let me know if you want to go there.'

'What do you all think?' I questioned my friends, 'Thinking about the distant, if we go back to the camp first, the distant will increase from 11km to more than 17. Personally, I want to go there from here but I don't know how to deal with our provision.'

'I think I can go' Ple was the first to answer, she was the leader of the company when we climbed up, saying that she climbed up half-asleep, 'But how about the rest? How about Kiead?'

Kiead looked troubled, at last she spoke, 'I may try, if everyone agreed to go further.'

'Think about food first' Far said, 'We are starving and we've nothing to eat but Kiead's snacks which we ate them all by now. Can we drive our legs until the late afternoon without eating anything? Well, I don't think it's a good idea to go forward. Let's go back.'

'But I don't think we can make more 14km to that hill and return ere nightfall.' I opposed.

'Then be it!' Far answered sharply 'I know it's a good idea to go there from here but we've to determine our strength too.'

With that, I admitted and Lo! I must regret if I didn't climb down where we climbed up since the forest was very old, green, and beautiful in the misty sunlight. The plain near the was filled with high and thick shrubs and herbs. Some flowers were blooming against the cold weather.

Where the plain ended, we entered the thick green forest. Amazingly, the air was fresh enough to freshen our limbs and needs. Mist was still lightly cover the forest. This is when we saw why this mountain was called 'Doi Pha Hom Pok' or Mountain of blanket covered; all the forest are humid enough for moss and fern to grow in trunks and branches of trees, made them looks like they're cold and those moss and fern help them warm. It was a marvelous sceneries.

The forest ended again when we reahed the summit of "Mon Wat Jai" (the Hill for "testing of willingness" - from part 4), the sheerest slope. I looked down and wondered how I climbed up when I had someone to pull. "Sometimes, the dark helps" I thought. I and the rest of the company grew weary again and the mist was still thick down here, against the sunlight. We rested for a short while along the way down. When we reached the foot of "Mon Wat Jai", we, then, took photos with the signpost. The camp was very near.

Note from Blogmaster: this post will be the last post from me when I am in Thailand. I'll travel to the UK today. See you again soon!!

THIS STORY CONTINUES IN THE NEXT PART

DOI PHA HOM POK, CHIANG MAI 2006 Part 5

As promised, I've filled this series with a lot of pictures.

This story continues from Part 4 - The index of this series is here

**AT THE TOP OF DOI PHA HOM POK**

'Pant... pant... Ah... here we come!!' I spoke to the rest of the company when I and Kiead reached the mountain top. All of them were sitting next to each other, panting, drinking some water. It was already half past six and the Sun was about to raise. It was very cold up there, and windy. Heavy Mist was blew from one side of the mountain to the other side. The top of Doi Pha Hom Pok is in straight-line shape. The problem was we started to get hungry and we didn't bring any food with us, but water bottles.

'Everyone, let's share this' surprisingly, Kiead unpack her bag and brought out many snacks.

'Wow, Kiead. That's surprise! I thought we had to climb down staving.' said, Ple.

'So, that's worth more than I expected, huh?' I said, laughing while adding, 'You've your part to do. My labour of pulling you up is settled now.'

The company shared the food. It's not enough to satisfy the hunger of those who climbed more than 3 hours but enough to line our stomachs.

When the sharing of the food ended, I felt better and relaxed. At that time, I started to feel the cold. The temperature was lower than 5 degree celcius at the top of the mountain, not to mention the heavy wind and mist blow which make things worse. Far asked for her several cloths that she furled round me when we were climbing back, to wrap herself. Ten minutes of waiting could be more than an hour.

'It's almost 7, Mr. Guide. Will the Sun rise in this misty air?' I questioned our guide who stood nearby. Looks like he wasn't troubled from the cold weather.

'Well, probably not.' he answered 'But she hasn't climb up the eastern mountain yet, I can see from the light here and there. The sky will go red before she came. It's very near now as you can see things better for the time being. The weather is not clear today so, for the sake of luck we will see her rise. I'll advise you to took some pictures and the time will flew... Look at the north, it's Myanmar's mountains'

Then, the company started taking pictures now and there. Until the sky was red...

**MINUTE OF SUN RISE**

The misty wind still blew but the day was growing. Pale red light shone through heavy mist, enlighten things hidden by the dark. The company was aware of the sunrise by the telling of the guide. All looked eastward, holding digital cameras tightly and lo... she came, piercing her red light through the thick mist. The company yelled and many pictures were taken. At the moment her light shone on my eyes, it seemed like all tireness and cold was lifted away for a little while. It's the light of the live-giving of our Earth, which was giving me the light of joy.

After the moment with the Sun, the company looked happier and started to talk with each other more freely. The tireness of labouring the mountain slopes was gone. The air was a little warmer, al least in our perception. The mountain now was showing its leaves and flowers of many kind which were beyound our recognition. I's also in the mood of sightseeing and photo-taking. We re-take our pictures again since the first series are shot in lesser light. Some other groups are gone, climbing down. But we're still there, last to the top, last to the camp.

THIS STORY CONTINUES IN THE NEXT PART

DOI PHA HOM POK, CHIANG MAI 2006 Part 4

I use a lot of effort and time to write this chapter. There will be no picture in this part. Actually, we had no picture when we climbed up but many when we climbed down. So, I'll put loads of pictures in the next part.

THIS STORY IS CONTINUED FROM PART 3 - THE INDEX OF THIS SERIES IS HERE

**CLIMBING IN THE DARK - THE ABSOLUTE ADVENTURE**

We went to bed almost after the dinner. I slept alone. It was a horrible night. The sleeping bag I brought didn't help me much from the extremely cold weather, especially my legs. They were trembling badly. Not only cold wind and mist, the rain was also pouring lightly that night. I woke up almost every hour, counting down the hour until the arranged time, 3 a.m. We were going to climb up to the mountain top to see the first light of the morning there.

I woke myself up at half past two. Half of the reason was that I just couldn't sleep anymore. I didn't felt refresh but not too tired. I woke the rest of the company up in order to prepare for the hard trip. Our guide in this trip was the veteran National Park Official, who came just before three, gathering all of us to the preparing area located near the camping site.

RECOMMENDATION: Climbing in the dark to the mountain top in the dark at Doi Pha Hom Pok is one of the real advanture. The length is about 3.5 kilometres but uphillward. It will takes about 3 hours to climb up. So, it is plainly to advice that you should keep yourself fit before thaking a trip here. You need a flashlight or two per one group in order to show you the way. The mountain top is very cold but you won't feel it while you are climbing. Some water and snacks are recommended to bring with you. It will be real diaster if you forget to bring some water with you. A shoe for climbing the mountain is also recommended but normal sneaker is also fine.

'We are the last group, hurry up a bit, or we won't be able to see the sunrise' The guide said in nice northern accent. 'Watch out for slippery stone and sand' He then led the way into the forest.

There was a narrow path in the forest. It seems like this is the certain part for everyone to climb up. The first part of the path is quite easy, only a little bit sheer. It's good for warming up. But the happiness won't last long, after first 300 metres, we arrived at the foothill that is the hardest hill we have to climb in order to reach the mountain top of Doi Pha Hom Pok. It is named "Mon Wat Jai" or the Hill for "testing of willingness". The slope was very steep but the worst was we couldn't see where this slope will end. The darkness bit into my heart.

'Err...everyone' Kiead spoke out of the darkness. Her face looked very tired in the darkness. 'May I turn back?'

'What's happen Kiead' Ple looked back, she was at the head of the company. 'Did you forgot something?'

'Err... I'm... very tired...' She tried to speak nicely but I could feel her tireness 'I'll go back to the tent and wait for your return... Mr. Guide, how far from here to our tent?'

'Around 300 metres' he answered.

'It's very dark, Kiead. How can you go back alone?' Far replied quickly, she looked worried. 'Do you think you need some rest or something?'

'I don't think I'll make it.' She answered 'Don't you hear that this is only 300 metres? I don't think I could reach the top, so I'd better go back to the tent...or...or wait for all of you here.'

'It shouldn't be. May be we should have more rest and then we can altogether go to the top' Far said.

'But... I know that I can't do it...'

The company silenced for a while. We all didn't want Kiead to be left somewhere in the dark and wet forest nor return through the forest to the camp all alone. I coun't do anything but offer her my hand.

'Come with me, Kiead... It's better that you'll come with us, I'll pull you along the way.'

She reluctantly grasped my hand and followed me slowly. I did keep myself fit enough for climbing the mountain but not so fit that I could drag another person wiht me. It was too hard than my vitality could endure, but my will power as well. My will that everyone should be there together.

The company went in files; Ple was at the head, followed by Jeab and Jane, then Far, who was usually looked back at me, helped me when I needed, and the last of all, myself and Kiead. In my opinion, the old Kiead I knew when we were at the university could beat this mountain easily. But after she gained some weight and lack of excercise, she really need some help to share her weight and that's what I was doing.

Even I pulled her hand at almost in all climb, Kiead often asked for a short rest. But to be honest, I was glad that she did. My stamina depleted very quickly and the air was a bit light. She was doing better when we reached the top of "Mon Wat Jai" and the path went flatter and those were my precious time to rest. She walked fast and could be at the same level with everyone.

'Are you okay, A?' Far whispered 'You shouldn't over do it.'

'What else can I do?' I replied 'I want everyone to be at the top and I'll do my best. We passed the steepest slope and I think we could make it.'

'Then rest a lot, especially when you don't have to pull her. Don't need to catch up with the group. Go on with comfortable speed.'

'Yeah, I'll.'

The levelled path started to climb up again after a while and my help to Kiead started again. No one asked for the name of this hill, everyone seemed to be tired. Jane fell back often to where I and Kiead was. He seemed to used a lot of stamina in the first lap. Ple was still at the head of the group, just after our guide. We started to stop more often and rest longer and longer but our kind guard always reminded us that we needed to get to the top before the sunrise...but....'how much time do we still need to get there' I thought while huffing.

The path went level and then steep again and again. I was struggled to went on and I was starting to have got cramp in my legs, as well as the others. Jane was also suffered much from this but his will power was very strong, he could went on again after a short rest.

'Rest here a bit' Our guide recommended. 'You just need to climb this last lap to the top of "Doi Pha Hom Pok". It's only 3-400 metres left.' He pointed his flashlight to a dark path that went steadily upwards.

It was still dark and very cold. But the cold couldn't trouble the group, a lot of climbing was enough to heat up. I looked at the other faces in the dark. Ple was the one who wass the most "OKAY"; seems like this climbing was nothing for her. The rest were tired, as tired as I could ever see. But there were glimpses of hope in all our eyes, even in Kiead's.

"ONLY ONE LAST LAP!!!"

The company started to climb up more cheerfully than before. I also felt that way. It seemed like my limbs and legs are refreshed and filled again with another load of stamina. Kiead, who in the last lap almost had to be dragged up, could climbed up with only a little aid from me.

At the half of the slope, we went through the thick forest to the windy plain. It was the first time that we could recognised the sky above our head. The sky was lightly pale. It was the sign of the coming day and the coming sunrise we've climbed for. My heart was filled with joy as soon as I could see the summit but the cramp in my legs was starting to overcome me, the result from rushing myself and Kiead up the last slope. Kiead's stamina ran out too. The latest slope was straight and the path were filled with boulders. After the last resting, I waved my hand to Far to let her go in forward.

'Com'on, Kiead! We're the last but we will reach the TOP!! I'll use the rest of my stamina here' I said, but didn't allow her to object 'Running to the summit is my style, WATCH OUT!!'

THIS STORY CONTINUES IN THE NEXT PART

DOI PHA HOM POK, CHIANG MAI 2006 Part 3

THIS STORY CONTINUES FROM PART 2 - INDEX OF THIS SERIES ARE HERE

**THE KIW LOM CAMPING SITE**

It took no more than half an hour until the pick-up truck reached the 'KIW LOM (in Thai - กิ่วลม)' camping site. The camping site was very quiet but traces of visitors were still stained everywhere. Kiw Lom camping site was the highest point in this mountain that the National Park of Thailand allow visitors to spend their night(s). The driver told us that visitors could camp at the mountain top in the past, but as the increasing of number of visitors and the mountain-top safety procedures, Kiw lom was the highest place to camp for years.

'I'll park here,' the driver said, in a very fluent central Thai language, then pointed his hand left and right. 'there are only a few groups of people today, you may select your best camping area and then go rent some tents at the national park office out there' His hand stopped on a large half wooden building on the one end of the camping site.

'You've a lot of experiences here. Where do you recommend?' Far asked the driver.

'Well... normally, people will camp near bathroom or water supply. However, some groups may think otherwise 'cause there will be some disturbance when others come and use the facility.'

'Oh, that's a very g'd point! Let's go round d' table. Jeab, what d' you think?' Ple asked, in a conference-like style.

The company agreed to camp a little far from bathroom but near the water supply in the matter of facts that there are only a few groups of people on the camping site, so, the water supply won't be too crowded, including to facilitate cooking and washing. When Jane and Jeab was helping each other setting up his newly brought tent, which he carried along the way from Bangkok, the other four went to the office of national park, which located just 300 metres away, to rent tents and gears.

'Jeab, The official will help us setting up tents' Far said to Jeab when we arrived back at the site. She smiling at her limit, since she successfully persuaded officials to help. But Jane finished the setting up of his tent. 'I also rent pillows, look!' she hit poor Jeab with 2 pillows in her hand (-*-).

The tent was set up very quickly, the officials had been very skillful. In half an hour, we had 3 rented tents, plus 1 tent of Jane, standing in the shade of pine trees, protected from sunlight.

**THE SUNSET @ THE CAMPING SITE**

It was almost half past two in the afternoon when we finished our lunch. The air was cool and windy. Cooking in the mountain proved more difficult than in the lower ground, lower boiling point of water made things cooked harder. We had a brasier we rented, as our main heat source, and a small camping gas stove as secondary heat source. The cooking gears we brought along from Bangkok proved its cost very quickly, as well as the drinking water. The water from the supply, didn't good enough for cooking nor drinking, was hard.

'HEY!!! HEY!!!' One woman voice rose when we were enjoy our lunch. A woman from the nearby tent walked towards our group 'Can you please lower your voice??? We come here to stay away from voices!!!' She came there with a man who was now sitting near his tent. She turned away after sending her commanding voice.

'I don't think we use too much noise' Ple said quietly

'she may be mad?' I added 'However, let's stay quiet for a while. Look, they've a cleaver on that stump \(~_~")\ /("~_~)/'

After finishing everything, including washing up all gears, the company sat back, planing things to be done that day and the next. Only one and a half hour to stroll around and to rest, then the cooking for dinner was going to be started, we couldn't do things much in the dark, of course!! The driver was gone, he went down because he was going to drive another group of tourist on the next day, he's running a good business, indeed!! (even he did complain a bit about getting empty-truck downhill) We all hurry up to shooting photos around the camping site. The nearby couple was moved their tent away up the hill ^_^

It was almost at the sunset when we started dinner. The sky is red, as red as it could be, and did not provided us with warmth anymore. Things which are shined with red light, were red. Temperature was dropping and dropping and we was starting to realise how cold we will have that night. The sunset was remarkable, we took many pictures with her before she hid away behind the mountain.

THIS STORY CONTINUES IN THE NEXT PART