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Published: March 2nd 2009
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Well let me tell you, Pai certainly did not disappoint. There's a reason all the backpackers are talking about it... What a cool little town in the middle of know where.. It's very hippy orientated and everyone is really laid back but I must tell you it’s a great change/escape from both Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Ok, so I flew there ( a whole 24 minutes from Chiang Mai), which I agree is a little over the top but I got some great views on the way in/down. Pai is nestled in a long valley between two large mountain ranges. It gets very hot in the day time and cools right down at night which is a pleasant change to the constant 25-30 degrees I have experienced for the last two months.
Once again upon arriving we (Mert and I) hired a couple of scooters again and began exploring. Scooters beat a lonely planet guide any day in a small compact town. You simply hope on your bike and go cruising. The timing was great too because tourism is a little quite in Thailand at the moment generally so everyone wants to do a 'special' deal with you. Also
with the recent visa changes (for the worst) and the airport incident last November in Bangkok you can tell a lot of the operators are struggling and they really appreciate your business.
I managed to find a really nice room right in the middle of town which wasn't too expensive. It even had a hot shower which is a real luxury item for me now. I was only there for four days due to my visa issue (running out) but it was very relaxing and we had some more good times. Ooh and I had the best cranberry 'icy' shake you have ever had in your life.. in fact I had four on them.. one each day. You can see it in the first picture.. and yes it tasted as good as it looks.
They other good thing I have started to notice in the last couple of weeks is that I have begun to start meeting the same travellers again and again. Basically in Thailand there are two routes... north and south. Whichever way your heading you tend to run into the same people because everyone is buying the same travel guides, having the same experiences and
then giving the same recommendations to everyone.
Last week I also hit the two month mark (since I been away) which was kinda scary. It's gone so quick and I can see 12 months is going to fly by... I hope I find time to fit it all in as there is so much I want to do. The more you talk and meet other travellers the more you realise you haven't seen or done hardly anything. (Note to Family: don't stress I'll still be back for Christmas).
So on Tuesday night at 8pm I left Pai (and farewelled Mert with a few quite beers) bound for Laos as my visa had ran out. It was an 8 hour ride to the boarder and technically I wasn't going to make it there in time so I could smell a 'fine' coming on. They charge you per day and it’s not cheap I might add. I've stopped stressing about that sort of stuff now and just deal with it when I get there... can't let a few fines disrupt your travel plans now can you!
Unfortunately the trip to the boarder wasn't as fun as I had hoped
it would be (usually it’s a great way to meet new people). In fact you wouldn't read about it. I was the only "the only!" person on the bus out of Pai that night. So they drove me back to Chiang Mai instead and put me on another bus that was already full. Long story short I had to sit up the front with the driver, didn't get to meet anyone and couldn't sleep either as it was too uncomfortable! But I guess that's backpacking for you every now and then hey.
I'm not worried, Laos is meant to be brilliant, can't wait to get amongst it and report back to you all on it soon.
Love to all and cheers, Beer Lao Dog!
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bruno
non-member comment
hi
keep it up Nathan, keep travelling and keep writing so we can keep reading without having to leave our lazy chair here in Oz. a lot more comfortable than your bus ride it seems. nice of you to want to go through all this trouble for our entertainment.