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Friday 7th November 2008
In need of serious respite after a busy two and a half weeks in Thailand, we decided what a better way to spend it that to visit the small hippy villiage of Pai.
At 9.30am we got picked up from Libra Guesthouse and the journey took about 3 hours, along windy, country roads to get to Pai. The village, situated in a mountainous valley along a river is surrounded in a natural, beautiful setting.. and has a real hippy vibe, everyone genuinely so so happy and chilled out!
After several attempts here of finding somewhere cheap to stay, we came across a small guesthouse community 'Star House'. It was perfect. At 150 Baht a night we daren't refuse!! Our hut was basic, with an outside shared bathroom- which we havent had the pleasure of having yet - but it was alright, and lucky for us we were close to it anyway!! We really liked this accomodation.. it was peaceful, in a huge field and surrounded by mountains!
Our first day here was SCORCHING hot. In desperate need to cool down we headed straight to the village pool. After a short walk, accompanied by high hopes we got there to find it was shut - absolutely gutted!!! Our days plan shattered! So, instead we headed back to the village to eat. We found a fabulous restaurant, "The Witching Well", which did the best smoothies, shakes and Lasanges! We spent the rest of the day chilling out back at the hut, listening to Chris's ipod and taking in the scenery around us. Later on, we got ready and headed out. I think abit too early as it wasn't particularly busy in the bars. Nonetheless we had a good look around the little hippy stalls (I indulged in a little retail therapy!) and ate at a really nice little vendor.
The next morning we woke up to find a family of cute dogs roamings aroung the huts. A mother and 3 of her puppies.. I think I am beginning to become a dog lover!! So much so, the dogs keep visiting our balcony! Behind our hut is a huge gym/boxing ring.. we sat and watched the locals and some travellers train and keep fit.. One girl was really good - she literally did about 2 hour pure excercise and was dripping after! Good on her!! As we watched the Thai boxing,Chris decided to lean back on our balcony - which completely collapsed - it was so funny! I ran inside whilst Chris put the railing back together, sharpish! Whistling as if nothing happenend!!!haha.
After looking at the Pai street map we decided to rent a mo-ped out for the day.. It was a rocky start (we couldn't fathum the automatic startup-hehe!). Our first stop was 'Coffee in Love', which we had noticed on the way travelling into Pai. The place was amazing..set in such a remote place. It had the best coffees I have ever had.. and had views of mountains that you could see for miles (I seriously cant describe how good the views were!!) and furthermore, next door to coffee in love was a beautiful, yellow doll like mansion house!! I was seriously, 'in love'!!!
After our indulgement we headed back on the road.. and shortly arrived at Pai Canyon - which was pretty damn dangerous. Chris was the first to walk onto a narrow, very high ledge- all but safe! The canyon wasnt particularly that special.. but the views from it were amazing! We could see all of Pai!
I was quite impressed when we got back onto the mo-ped and Chris asked me if I would like to drive!!! Slightly confused (as to why he would let me drive!) and nervoud, I headed off!! It wasn't at all as hard as I would have imagined.. and the roads were quiet.. as we could see a fair distance in front of us I really did pick up some speed!!!
Shortly afterwards we arrived at the WW2 memorial bridge for a break and walk over it. Having seen the bridge over the river Kwai it wasn't that breathtaking.. and being bombarded with Chinese tourists we quickly moved on...
Mo Paeng waterfalls was the next stop. To get there we went through different villiages , bumpy roads, saw oxes and beautiful surroundings. Chris and I in particular enjoyed these waterfalls. The atmosphere was great, it had a really fun vibe - filled with a mixture of locals and tourists looking on as kids (as well as a few adults) slid down into the waterfalls into the pools below. It wasn't long until Chris joined them - having watched nutty Thai kids jumping in from a fair height he thaught it was only right that he took the plunge and do the same. I, on the other hand, didn't dare! I was content sunbathing on the hot rocks, and dipping into the refreshing pool to cool off.
Later, Chris and I sat on the rocks with 4 others, exchanging tales - we planned to meet them at the 'Bamboo bar' back in Pai. After hours of fun and feeling a little hungry we decided to return our motorbike back in Pai. We sat on our balcony with a few drinks before our night out... and oh what a night it was!!
Firstly, Chris thought that he had lost his wallet with our money in and was utterly annoyed at himself. After realising it isnt the end of the world we headed out. Along the streets of Pai was the usual music playing, market, vendors and live music in bars.. after a few drinks in bars we headed out to the late night bar 'Bamboo hut'. The hut itself was really cool.. filled with many open log fires and rugs to sit around. We got chatting to a man sat by the fire - who turned out to be quite a well known ex-con heroin addict!! As the bar got fuller and the bodies filled the place.. we ended up meeting some people from Leeds, a girl from Manchester who was from Leeds at heart ha, and a creepy guy (scruffy, long haired) who turned out to be a poodle cleaner!!haha.. Later into the night the South African guy from the waterfall also met us at the bamboo hut..
5.30am came aroung very quickly and the bar shut. So we all decided to go back to the Leeds guy's appartment - and met a brummie couple along the way who also came back!!
A real crazy night it was!!!!! and was horrendous getting up only having 4 hours sleep back to Chaing Mai.. Ouch!!
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