Mini canyon and ancient temple in Phrae

Phrae is a quiet small town with a public square to chill and enjoy street food at night. Nearby there are few attractions, including a mini canyon and a Buddha park.

Phae Mueang Phi Forest park is a mini canyon that looks like the mini version of grand canyon with yellow towers and rocks that some look like mushrooms. It is a great spot to snap pictures of mini towering and eroded sandstones. We could walk up a tiny hill in a mini loop to enjoy a panoramic view of the amazing rock columns.

Mushroom lookalike sandstone column

Amazing view from viewing platform

After that, we drove to a park called Wat Na Khu Ha. There is a big golden Buddha statue in the middle of the paddy field. It is breathtaking and relaxing to walk on a bamboo bridge over the lush green and brown paddy field. At the end of the bridge, one can climb up the small hill for a better view. It was a wonderful moment to have lunch with the tranquil view in a mini hut inside the park.

The entrance

A tranquil walk 

After that, we headed to the town. There is a popular Burmese style temple made of teak wood called Wat Chom Sawan. Phrae was long time ago a teak wood trade center. Then, there is another temple called Wat Phong Sunan which has a big golden reclining Buddha statue and an image hall adorned with 108 white spires topped with gold cone.

Wat Chom Sawan 

Wooded ceiling

Can you see the teak columns?

Wat Phong Sunan

In Phrae town, there is a also beautiful Thai European architecture museum called Khum Vongburi Museum. 

Khum Vongburi Museum

In the evening, one can sit the public town square, enjoying a live music and street food, besides strolling along the adjacent public park.

A walk in the public park

A public square

Playground of the Gods - Mt Pulag

At 2am, we gathered at a parking lot. It was my 1st joined trip to hike the 3rd highest but the most popular and crowded mountain in Philippines, Mt Pulag. At 3am, our van took us on a long 6 hour journey up the mountain. It was a 2d1n trip.

Our 1st stop was a checked station, where we had to get a blood pressure test by a qualified Dr to ensure we are fit to hike. After that, we had to attend a compulsory 30 mins briefing by the ranger on the dos and don'ts. Then we checked into our guesthouse at the foothill of Mt Pulag in a village. We had sufficient time to explore the peaceful village and attending a briefing by the organiser after dinner at the guesthouse.

Compulsory basic medical check up for qualification to climb

View from park ranger HQ

Compulsory briefing by park ranger

Guesthouse

Bountiful carrot harvest

Final briefing by organiser

Gathering at 1am

By 1am, we were awake and ready for our midnight hike. Hundreds of people gathered in different organised groups, excited for sea of cloud view at the top. The trek took around 4.5 hours for me as I slowly walked along the rocky trail passing checkpoint 1 and checkpoint 2. It was a fairly easy trek with only a steep climb at the end.

                                                                                                                                                                      

                                        

Ray of hope

                                        

The last steep climb

                                   

Sea of clouds

Heaven on earth

As we were nearing the last mountain climb, a ray of dawn lit the sky with red color and the surrounding scene was transformed into a magical heaven with white clouds below and illuminating majestic mountains all around.

Mesmerising

                                       

Sea of crowd

White heaven

Descending

Back to civilisation

As I slowly climbed towards the peak at 2189m, I felt grateful to be finally reaching my dream mountain, Mt Pulag, also nicknamed "Playground of the Gods".