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Published: November 9th 2010
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Pai - Hippy Hang Out
Leaving Chang Mai by minibus was an easy and beautiful journey. Jungle and rubber plantations lined the winding route, and it was noticeably cooler the higher up we went. The route up to Pai took several hours and involved 261 hair pin bends. After the first 100 or so our fellow bus members were all feeling a little ropey and when asked if we wanted to stop for lunch there were no takers.
Arriving in Pai a few days behind Julia and Simone, we had received word that we needed to stay by the river and it wasn't long before we had checked into a little rustic riverside bungalow. Once settled Steve and Guy set off for a few cold Chang's and returned to enjoy them while watching the setting sun meet the hill covered Jungles.
It wasn't long before a neighbour moved in. A classic character from the US, he had been a pilot during the Vietnam war and later worked for the CIA flying secret missions into Laos. Needless to say we dragged out every last story glued to his detailed descriptions of SE Asia 30 years ago. Speaking Thai fluently and
living in a nearby village he was soon joined by some seriously hip Thai's who would later show Guy and Steve the small town of Pai in a way few get to see.......enough said.
Unfortunately I was quite poorly for most of our time in Pai, and stayed in our lovely bungalow, slowly recovering.Guy made a great nursemaid and would bring food and supplies to the room at regular intervals. I was happy to look at the amazing views of the river and jungle beyond.
The following days were spent wandering the small town and relaxing in our river side haven. Pai is a small cultural town with live music available every evening, artists shops and tattoo parlors abound and there a strong Buddhist community with its associated temples and monasteries.
Guy had his old tattoo reworked and a little more added. The whole gang was there to watch and offer moral support for what turned out to be a 4 & 1/2 hour ordeal. But it was worth it! Guy was more than happy with the result and set about the hard work of letting it heal (This involved further Changs on the balcony with Steve for extended
periods.) We also had a careful regime of cleaning and moisturising and poor old Guy had to be extremely careful when sitting down, so as not to disturb the scabs.
To us, Pai really does feel like the Tonsai of the north and we even bumped into old friends from Tonsai, some we haven't seen in over 8 years! It was relaxed and friendly with a country cottage charm (jungle style of course). Organic hippies have also left their mark and eco friendly clothes and brown bread was widely available... Pai a truly magic little place!
Decidedly relaxed, (&feeling better)the craving for a crystal blue ocean started to get the better of us. Route planned and booked we began the 2 day journey, via Bangkok to the south Islands..........
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