Pai, Pai, Pai, Pai, Pai
Trip Start
Mar 19, 2009
1
6
8
Trip End
Apr 03, 2009
Pai, Thailand
Saturday, March 28, 2009
I arrived in Pai (pronounced 'bye') about two days ago on a mini-bus from Chiang Mai. It was as long and as curvy a ride as was the trek trip but this time I had a much more comfortable seat. The whole trip took about 4 hours and I was seated next to my German friend Maya. Our paths crossed at the trek and seem to be running parallel now; at least until tomorrow.
Pai is located northwest of Chiang Mai and is a town of about 3,000 people. It's also on the "hippie trail" and is very popular with foreigners of the patchouli/dreadlocks persuasion. We got dropped off and thankfully the place I was interested in staying at was just around the corner so I went to see if they had any rooms...Normally, I think the place would be jammed full but this is just the beginning of the slow season so they had a few available.
What they have are bungalows for 500 baht. I was tired of square rooms with little, or no, personality and wanted something similar to what we had on the trek. That's exactly what I got but with indoor plumbing. It's actually a great place. Made of bamboo and having a dried leaf roof (just like the hill tribe huts), it's also got a comforable bed with a mosquito net, and an overhead fan. I mean, really; what else do i need?
I got settled in and then took a walk around town. The narrow streets were pretty crowded with travelers and the hippies were around; many of them middle-aged dudes in loose, baggy clothes. I had wanted to get some money out because I hadn't had time that morning before I caught the bus but I was thwarted at every turn. The power was out...I had enquired about that at my hotel but she said it would be back on in about a half-hour or so and didn't seem too concerned. There wasn't I could do without money so I eventually returned to my hotel and took a nap.
Finally about six the power came back on and I was able to get some cash out. Maya and I went out to eat at one of the many street-side restaurants that evening and that was about all I did...I rarely go out drinking when I travel and that night was no exception. There are plenty of little bars and quirky spots around here and I plan on checking one out tonight but that first night I really needed to recharge my batteries after the trek.
