Milky Way Camping

Doi Samer Dao National Park is situated in north Thailand, around 6 hours from Chiang Mai, 1.5 hours from Nan. The key highlight is camping to enjoy the Milky Way sky in the pitch darkness at night.

There is a big camping area with rented tents ready at the headquarter of the park. Each tent is about 400 baht per night. There is a public toilet and shower facility in the park. Once can also charge the handphone in the main lobby of the main office.

We arrived early around noon, hence we had plenty of time to enjoy the calming gorgeous mountainous view behind the main office.  However, it was not possible to sleep in the tent as it was an open area and the scorching sun light made it unbearable to sleep inside. By evening, there were many cars and motorbikes arriving, mostly to stay a night. The temperature dropped by evening, and it could be quite cold with the blowing wind at night.

Spending the early afternoon immersing in the gorgeous view

On the opposite site of the main camping area behind the main office, I could savor the joy of sunset view. As the sun set on the horizon, the swaying grass became my photo object.

Early sunset

Can you see the light from the town below in the far horizon?

Behind the camping area is a mini hill cum viewing platform, where a river afar flows below in the valley. When the sky gets dark, this elevated viewing platform is the perfect spot to view the milky stars high above, as it is away from the lights. A cooling breeze added a serene feel to ponder on the galaxy. 

View from platform behind the campsite in the late afternoon

Clear blue sky - perfect for milky way sighting at night

This viewing platform also is the perfect avenue for sunrise. Early in the morning. the river was covered with clouds below, turning the scenery into a long meandering cloud river with glowing pink sky. 

River of cloud in the early morning

Sunrise

Rise and shine

Happy morning

Electric scooter ride in Southern Tip of Taiwan

Kenting National Park in the southern tip of Taiwan is a seaside coastal area with many attractions to explore. It was also my very first experience of riding an electric mini scooter without a licence! 

My rented mini electric sccoter 

On the first day of exploration, I rode my electric scooter to the first stop, Southernmost Point of Taiwan. Next destination was Longpan Park. It is a seaside cliff with scenic views of the sea and waves from above. However, as it is an open space with some grassland, the hot sunny weather could be too much on the skin without a big hat.

Seaside view of Southernmost Point of Taiwan 

Entering Longpan Park

Longpan Park

After some distant ride, I arrived at a river mouth are called Gangkou with hanging bridge to walk across the river to explore the opposite surrounding beach.

Gangkou beach

Next destination was Jialeshui. It is famous for its rocky beaches with unique formation that can resemble animals and objects beyond imagination. There is even a free shuttle bus ride along the beach toward the end of the park where ocean waves could be seen hitting the magnificent rocks graciously.

Can you see the sea lion rock?

A lion head on the sea?

Is it an animal or human face?

Jialeshui

After Jialeishui, I proceded to Eluanbi Lighthouse and Park, where mini trekking can be done around the park to spectacular ocean viewpoints.

Countryside view along the journey

Eluanbi Lighhouse

Isn't it a unique tree?

Viewing platform from Eluanbi Lighthouse park

In the evening, I explored the internal attraction called Chu Huo, where eternal flame was seen in the isolated secluded area. 

Chu Huo

Eternal flame from the ground

The final stop was Hengchun town, which I did not have much time to explore as the sky was getting dark and I was worried of my electric battery life to ride back to Kenting town around 40 mins away.

Hengchun at night

The attraction in Kenting town itself is the night market, where street food can be found.

Crowded night market in Kenting town

The next day, I explored a paid park. There was a guide who lead us through the coastal park with astonishing seaside scenery and a walkway with stairs leading down to the rocky beach with stunning views.

A walk along the coast

View from the end of walkway

An isolated scenery

On the way back to Kenting town, I passed by Chuanfanshi, a famous seaside with the iconic sail rock that looked like a human head.

Chuanfanshi

In the afternoon, I paid a motorbike rider to bring me up the mountainous road to Sheding Nature Park, where there were trails and cave to walk through and explore with some distant mountainous sceneries. 

Entrance of Sheding Nature Park

On the way to viewing point

View from the top

A walk in the park

A walk through the caves

In summary, Kenting has many attractions to explore and definitely worth a visit.

Kenting town at daylight