Pai

Day 39 (08/05/08): Pai, Thailand

My alarm went off only a few hours after getting into bed. Very sleepily I woke up and packed my bags to get ready for my trip to Pai, further north of Chiang Mai, towards the Burmese border. Unfortunately the mini-bus was filled up, and so I had to wait until 2pm. I idled away the time looking through second hand bookstores, finding a new book to read. I even traded in the other novels I was carrying, which has eased the load nicely.

The three hour minibus ride to Pai is rather windy, cutting up through the forested hills on a narrow windy road. In many ways it reminded me a lot of New Zealand. While the scenery was stunning, I ended up sleeping for most of the journey, partly because I was so tired, and partly to cut out the annoying elderly american who was talking in that loud brash way that only americans can.

Pai itself is a very small little village in the hills of Northern Thailand. In the past few years it has become a bit of a backpacker and hippy gathering spot. The town itself is very small, you can walk around it in about 30mins or so. Upon getting off the minibus, the first people I walked into were some Brits who I had met on the Perhentian Islands, and later Koh Phangan. Just another example of the small travelling world. I chose not to stay in the town itself, but instead walked a few minutes down the road to the river. Going across the river is a very rickety bamboo bridge, and along the far bank is a big collection of bamboo huts. The bridge really is quite rickety, a few long thick bamboo poles, covered in a bamboo matting, that in some places is more holes than mat. It can be a bit nervous when you are walking across it in the dark of the night.

I managed to find my best deal for accomodation yet. For a mere 80 baht ($3.30NZ) a night, I get my own bamboo hut on the river, with large bed (well futon on the floor), fan and attached bathroom with hot running water! (its one of those small electrical units that heats the water as it is run). Not only is it the cheapest place I have ever stayed at, it is also one of the nicest! It is the first time I have had a place with a hot shower since Singapore. The entire hut, including walls, floor and ceiling is all made of bamboo, even in the bathroom the mirror frame and vanity is made of bamboo. I think the place is absolutely grand and a very atmospheric place to stay in.

It was early evening by now, and I ate some food before spending a few of the evening hours wandering around. I found a flier advertising what was happening in town, and that night there was supposed to be a jazz and reggae festival in a local park. I had to ask several locals where the park was, before I managed to find it. However it turned out to be a school fundraising thing, with a large stage full of Thai schoolkids doing some song and dance routines in Thai. Surrounding the area where a few carnival type stalls, with a bouncy castle and some other activities for schoolkids. There was nothing really appealing, so after only a few minutes I was out of there, and walked back to the town.

Pai is a very quiet place, and there didn't seem to be much going on. Admittedly it aws still quite early in the night, however I was deathly tired and decided to head back to my little bamboo hut for a good night's sleep. My plan for tomorrow was to investigate the town a bit more, and then find a good trekking company to go on another trek with. I only have a week left in Thailand before my visitor's visa runs out, so I'll spend a few days doing a trek here, and then head off to Laos to do the Gibbon Experience on the 15th, which I have just booked for. I was in bed by 9pm, and slept solidly for the next 14 hours!