| gonetraveling.com "I am a part of all that I have met. Yet, all experience is an arch where through gleams that untraveled world where margin fades, forever and forever when I move." |
| pai |
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| Pai, or as many refer to it as "Pai in the Sky" has taken the number one spot on our list of favorite destinations in Thailand. Not only did we make the pilgimage from Chiang Mai once (it is a four-hour bus ride on a windy, sometimes two-lane road), we went there twice. |
| 2002-2003 |
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| Our favorite pastime, especially Fletch's, was riding around town on our motorbike and exploring the backroads of Pai and nearby villages. It was our version of being Harley riders. Pai is famous for a waterfall just pass the Lahu Village, a local hilltribe. A dirt road with gigantic potholes, we braved this road more than once, but not just for the waterfall. Our first journey down this road found us up to our knees in mud (it had rained the previous day) and in need of a place to regain our confidence to continue on. It was then when we discovered the Last Chance. A make-shift restaurant (really its a wooden food stand), we found the comfort of cold beer, hammocks and a hilltop view that provided a perfect resting spot. In addition to its waterfall, Pai is home to some of Thailand's best jazz clubs, chill out bars and coffee cafes. Many of which we lingered at for hours, reading and talking with the locals. |
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| Our first visit allowed us to discover the charming quiet of a town designed for relaxing. Our second visit was to celebrate the New Year in a style that we hoped we could carry for the rest of our lives. One of the treats in Pai is the lodging. It's easy to find a traditional Thai-style bungalow resort nestled in a thick of Palm trees or siding the river. On our first visit we found Pai River Corner. They offered designer bungalows directly overlooking the Pai River and situated across from a working rice field. For a mere $16 per night we had a free-standing bungalow with a king-size bed, hot water, a balcony with perfect lounging chairs and a gourmet breakfast everyday (another best in Thailand). Traveling on a backpacker's budget, this became our Ritz Carlton of Thailand. We even had a personal parking spot for our rented motorbike--the main mode of transportation in Pai. We spent many of our days here just sitting on the balcony wathcing the rice field being worked. It was our version of television--National Geographic live. Visiting Pai twice allowed us to witness the actual planting of the rice seeds and then the near harvesting of the field. Of couse this wasn't the only thing we did in Pai. |
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| go to the waterfall... |
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