stop 2: pai

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EASIER SAID THAN DONE – THEE SACRED SOULS

DAY 7 – Making Friends

From being in Bangkok (in the middle of the country), I was officially up North. After arriving at Chiang Mai station at 7.15am, I grabbed a taxi to the minibus place which ended up being down a mash-up road with lots of flooding and potholes (I’m glad I didn’t decide to walk). In Chiang Mai there are lots of group taxis but I opted for a grab for ease – I also was not aware that they had group taxis here lol. I managed to get on an earlier bus at 8.30 instead of 9.30 (costing £5 for 3 hour journey), and still managed to squeeze in a Thai Tea from a beautiful farmers market I found. 

JING JAI FARMERS MARKET, CHIANG MAI

The journey to Pai is notoriously vomit inducing due to the twisty roads, but being the sleepy girl that I am, I managed to counteract this with multiple naps throughout the journey. 

When I arrived in Pai the weather was torrential, after a rainy walk to the hostel I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was time to make some friends which is why I opted for the hostel. 

I wandered into town and found a lovely spot to have rice, pork and cabbage lunch (£1.40). I called Denkie and had a long overdue catch up. I began to notice that Pai is particularly cheap, where a full meal in a restaurant with beers is about £4 and a Thai Tea is about £1 (this is how I have come to test the economic rate of an area). 

I came for a swim and sunbathe and this evening everything changed…I met my first proper friend called Megan. We decided to grab some dinner where we went to a glorious restaurant where I had my best meal yet. It was glass noodles with fresh herbs and veggies. I also tried fried morning glory which was 10/10, if you come to Thailand you have to try it. 

Following this we wandered the night market and picked up a green tea mochi, and a mango and Nutella pancake, Megan got a coconut smoothie. 

Pai was looking very promising for food as the small town is basically set up for Westerners. The Thai people speak very good English and there is a big variety of vegan and veggie food (especially helpful for the fish allergy).

We went for some cockytails and watched some live music, and I was pleasantly surprised by the comfy beds at the hostel, I would highly recommend Buzzas in Pai. 

DAY 8 – Foodie Heaven

Meggie and I went for a vegetarian breakfast which was delicious, but rather earthy for my liking. For example, my Thai tea had a soil like taste and I imagined this is something a raw vegan would enjoy. I am not a raw vegan unfortunately. 

We got our nails done in town and came back to the pool for a sunbathe and a nap. Unfortunately, I awoke with a mosquito bite on my lip and felt like Kylie Jenner. 

We met up with Meggies friends who are travelling for a year as digital nomads for a passionfruit mojito (£2 at happy hour) and called my Louis to let him know I was thinking of him (as I usually do). We went for a delightful meal where I tried Papaya Salad which is very famous here but a little spicy and had some of Meg’s Masaman Curry (also very famous) and then got some beers at a jazz bar.

We then returned to the night market for the second round of mango and Nutella pancake. I always fancy a mango juice rather than a mango smoothie which I am yet to find in Pai, so a pancake with fresh mango is the next best thing (Meg and I love a sweet treat after dinner). 

COUPLE SELFIES IN THE JAZZ BAR

DAY 9 – Tourist Day

After a poor nights sleep I was feeling apprehensive about our mega busy tour we had booked (which consisted of 8 different stops over 8 hours). We had some avocado toast and free coffee provided by the hostel and started our whistle-stop tour of Pai (£18). 

STOP 1 – Big Buddha

Finally, meggie and I sought out some Khao Sao, a coconutty broth with noodles which was absolutely delicious. This is the first time I have properly tried street food and it did not disappoint. 

STOP 2 – Natural Springs

STOP 3 – Viewpoint

STOP 4 – Weird Mock Chinese Village?

Stop 5 – Coffee and Viewpoint

STOP 6 – Waterfall

STOP 7 – Bamboo Bridge

Surprisingly my favourite spot of the day and a highlight of Pai. I must admit it’s a bit of a tourist trap but such a good spot for photos and seeing some greenery. Meg and i were quite DELIRIOUS at this point so everything was hilarious.

STOP 8 – Canyon

The canyon was so cool – would definitely recommend

DAY 10 – TIPSY TUBING

Today was the mega big fun day of tipsy tubing. People come to Pai just to do this, but you basically get pissed and float down a river in a rubber ring. I was supposed to leave Pai on this day but extended due to tipsy tubing (factoring in the hangover). It was possibly the most fun I have had in my life, if you come up here you literally have to do it. The cost was £5 but you had to buy your own booze (buckets about £5) and i ended up the perfect level of tipsy for tipsy tubing. I did, however, get properly bitten by mosquitos so pray for me not to get dengee fever.

I didn’t bring my phone so thought I did not get any photos, but yesterday at the hostel we were speaking to an English girl who saw a load of people in dingies coming down the river, so she took a photo. Turns out, i am in the photo which is fabulous.

After a brief power nap we hit the town for some dinner and drinks

DAY 11 – On The Hunt For A Hangover Cure

MEGGIE AND I WOKE UP NOT FEELING LIKE OUR BEST SELVES AFTER A SOLID 12 HOUR BOOZY SESSION. WE DECIDED TO SEEK OUT SOME THAI TEA AND NURSE OURSELVES BACK TO HEALTH (ALL DAY).

ME AND MEG GOT A HEAD, BACK, SHOULDER AND NECK MASSAGE AND IT WAS BRILLIANT. THE LADY KEPT LAUGHING AT ME BECAUSE I’M SO TICKLISH, BUT IT WAS GOOD R&R. IT ALSO COST £6 FOR AN HOUR WHICH IS INSANE.

It was very sad saying goodbye to Meggie, we’ve spent all week together and have built a really lovely friendship. i hope to see you in Aus Meg <3

I’m now making my way from North to South Thailand to explore some islands and beaches. Time to get my tan on.