Day 2: Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand and it is the tip end of the Himalayan mountain range.. At 2565 meters, it is the highest point in Thailand..
We booked a car from Budget Car Rentals.. It is reasonable and the cars are mostly new.. I asked for a medium-sized car due to the distance we plan to drive and also for us to sit comfortably.. and they gave me a Honda Accord 2.0..
Our car was delivered to us free of charge to the hotel at exactly 9am sharp as booked.. After doing all the paperwork and a quick inspection of the car, we headed off on the 60km drive up the mouutains, along the way, we stopped for brunch and 7-11 to stock up snacks and drinks.. and en route we went to The Giant cafe, cafe suspended from a giant tree..
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| Paperwork for the car |
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| Inspection form |
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| Before beginning the journey, a mandatory shot of the car |
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| Stopped for lunch in a local coffeeshop |
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| A street in Chiangmai |
My first time driving in Thailand.. Our driving licence is in English so there's no problem..
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| Stuck in traffic trying to get out of Chiangmai |
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| Apa lagi, wefie lor!! |
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| Stopped here for toilet break.. Chiangmai Premium Outlet Kad Farang.. we came back here on Sunday and each bought something.. |
Waze led us on a mountain off-road track and
driving a sedan car up a 40 degrees steep slope with 4 adults and bags in it is no fucking joke.. Even the "L" gear I use is barely enough to climb.. I was very, very worried and paranoid we would not make the climb, and we also cannot back up because it's a single lane dirt road on the cliffs.. so it's a do or die drive..
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See that yellow portion? Waze ask us to use that road, when there's a proper tarred road the other way!!!
Stupid waze!!!
If you're driving in the mountains, always double check for any off-road!!! |
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| Arrived at The Giant all stressed up |
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| Option to cross the suspended bridge or use the stairs |
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| Overall look of the cafe |
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| Signboard outside the cafe |
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| Stressed look |
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| Trying to destress |
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| I can be my own showman |
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| Another shot |
I floored the accelerator hoping it will have enough power to climb.. slowly slowly we made it through and back on to tarred road, not before some 20 minutes of driving on L gear.. there were some points the wheels just doesn't have enough grip but I was determined enough to get us and the car through the mountain in 1 piece..
I did what anyone would, lift my feet off the pedal and then slowly rev the car and rapidly turning the steering wheel hoping to catch some grip amongst the stones..
Reaching the entrance of the national park where we have to pull over and pay the fees first..
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| Main entrance and checkpoint #1 of Doi Inthanon National Park |
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| THB300 per pax and THB30 for the car.. |
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| Most mountain road in Chiangmai (and highways) are single lane both directions.. so overtaking is really, really dangerous and tough.. |
We camped the night in the national park.. It was an awesome experience!
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| Gotten our rented camping gear and off we go! |
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| Map of the national park in case we get lost |
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| The tents are provided for and all we need is just to move our stuffs in and set up the base and sleeping bag |
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| Arrived safe and sound |
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| The car is also safe |
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| Our two tents |
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| Entrance to the campgroind |
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| Waterfall nearby |
Do you know that sakura blooms in January in this part of Thailand? Look here, a stretch of cherry blossoms in full bloom!
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| Sakura!! |
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| Sakura and a songthaew |
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| An entire stretch of sakura trees |
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| I was there! |
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| The biggest bloom |
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Ok good night..
it's about 9 degrees outside but inside its comfortably ok.. not cold... |
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| We can't sleep so we ventured out into the dark and stumbled upon rows and rows of brightly lit farms |
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| From far its really beautiful... |
Next post, watching sunrise at the summit.. time 6am, temperature 4 degrees Celcius..
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