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