Pai - The Circus
A winedy two hour bus ride took us to Pai. Through the countryside. It was beautiful! The smell on the bus however was not! A lady behind me was violently ill the whole trip due to the constant turns. The guy sitting next to me took out his Diesel aftershave and sprayed our wrists with it as a snuff box! Worked a treat! The poor woman was green getting off the bus. We were fine thank god, those motion sickness tablets are a lifesaver!
We had booked into 'Pai Circus Hostel'. I was dubious about booking it as it seemed very much a party hostel, but it was on top of a hill overlooking the countryside, there was a swimming pool, free yoga in the morning and they offered classes from 4-6 every day teaching people how to tightrope and throw fire! So we decided it would be a bit of craic!!
Another bamboo hut, it was pretty much a bamboo tent. Nice and authentic though!
We lazed by the pool for a few hours, it was bliss. The place was banging, so many people, great tunes, electric atmosphere! Just a five minute walk from the town through a cute neighbourhood of bamboo huts and guesthouses.
The other guests staying there were all so cool and hip and as Daniel described them 'rich kids pretending to the Buddhists!'
Pai town is small with lots of great shops, cafes, restaurants and a real Arty vibe. Years ago when everyone was going south to the islands all the cool srty folk headed north to this secluded village and pretty much took it over. Its swamped with tourists. There seemed more tourists than residents.
Theres quite a lot to do from here and its a popular destination for trekking.
The night markets in the town are incredible and the food is so good! Especially the Avocado Bruschetta and Coconut and Banana pancakes!
We rented a scooter and spent the first day touring the area around the the town. Waterfall, Memorial Bridge, Strawberry Fields, Tree houses, Bamboo Bridge that was built to connect two neighbourhoods, Land Split (that only happened in 2007)
So our first night in our hut was FREEZING! So hot during the day but temperature drops radically at night!
We were not prepared!
2nd night however we threw on the layers!!
We didn't dare a 3rd night in the hut so 'upgraded' to their 'Western room'
This was their best option and was not much difference in price!
We quickly checked in before leaving for our day trip. I noticed that their were what looked like spiders eggs on the walls. when we went back later it was confirmed and snails on the wall in the bathroom! Filthy but in true Irish way we didn't complain!
So we visited Lod Cave on the day tour. The caves were so impressive. Deep, vast and you could feel the weight of it over you! We were taken all the way through and then taken on a bamboo raft through the river, hearing the bats high above us! Was thrilling!
The Hot Springs was next on the tour. Oh they were heavenly, instinctively I tiptoed in expecting to brace myself against the cold and ease myself in, but it was like stepping into a bath! We lazed there for a while!
Tour ended with Sunset at Pai Canyon! Lovely way to finish the day!
My first time visiting Springs and a Canyon! Delira!
The hostel hosted a fire show that evening. One guy set his trousers on fire! Which is what you want!!
The next evening everyone was sitting around a fire and one token hippie with a guitar was belting out the tunes! He even covered 'King Kunta' I think there were 3 of us who knew the words!
We were advised to visit the White Buddha, apparently it took 2000 steps to reach it, but we thought that must be an exaggeration......well it wasn't and it was a steeeeep 2000!! I struggled but managed! The view was definetly worth it and we caught the sunset up there too! The Buddha itself was pretty spectacular, imposing and striking!
Very enjoyable walk back too at that time of the day when the sun is setting over the fields, Was beautiful and actually it could have been somewhere in Ireland so was quite comforting!
We leave Pai tomorrow and back to Chiang Mai for a few nights before we head over the border to Laos!
We had booked into 'Pai Circus Hostel'. I was dubious about booking it as it seemed very much a party hostel, but it was on top of a hill overlooking the countryside, there was a swimming pool, free yoga in the morning and they offered classes from 4-6 every day teaching people how to tightrope and throw fire! So we decided it would be a bit of craic!!
Another bamboo hut, it was pretty much a bamboo tent. Nice and authentic though!
We lazed by the pool for a few hours, it was bliss. The place was banging, so many people, great tunes, electric atmosphere! Just a five minute walk from the town through a cute neighbourhood of bamboo huts and guesthouses.
The other guests staying there were all so cool and hip and as Daniel described them 'rich kids pretending to the Buddhists!'
Pai town is small with lots of great shops, cafes, restaurants and a real Arty vibe. Years ago when everyone was going south to the islands all the cool srty folk headed north to this secluded village and pretty much took it over. Its swamped with tourists. There seemed more tourists than residents.
Theres quite a lot to do from here and its a popular destination for trekking.
The night markets in the town are incredible and the food is so good! Especially the Avocado Bruschetta and Coconut and Banana pancakes!
We rented a scooter and spent the first day touring the area around the the town. Waterfall, Memorial Bridge, Strawberry Fields, Tree houses, Bamboo Bridge that was built to connect two neighbourhoods, Land Split (that only happened in 2007)
So our first night in our hut was FREEZING! So hot during the day but temperature drops radically at night!
We were not prepared!
2nd night however we threw on the layers!!
We didn't dare a 3rd night in the hut so 'upgraded' to their 'Western room'
This was their best option and was not much difference in price!
We quickly checked in before leaving for our day trip. I noticed that their were what looked like spiders eggs on the walls. when we went back later it was confirmed and snails on the wall in the bathroom! Filthy but in true Irish way we didn't complain!
So we visited Lod Cave on the day tour. The caves were so impressive. Deep, vast and you could feel the weight of it over you! We were taken all the way through and then taken on a bamboo raft through the river, hearing the bats high above us! Was thrilling!
The Hot Springs was next on the tour. Oh they were heavenly, instinctively I tiptoed in expecting to brace myself against the cold and ease myself in, but it was like stepping into a bath! We lazed there for a while!
Tour ended with Sunset at Pai Canyon! Lovely way to finish the day!
My first time visiting Springs and a Canyon! Delira!
The hostel hosted a fire show that evening. One guy set his trousers on fire! Which is what you want!!
The next evening everyone was sitting around a fire and one token hippie with a guitar was belting out the tunes! He even covered 'King Kunta' I think there were 3 of us who knew the words!
We were advised to visit the White Buddha, apparently it took 2000 steps to reach it, but we thought that must be an exaggeration......well it wasn't and it was a steeeeep 2000!! I struggled but managed! The view was definetly worth it and we caught the sunset up there too! The Buddha itself was pretty spectacular, imposing and striking!
Very enjoyable walk back too at that time of the day when the sun is setting over the fields, Was beautiful and actually it could have been somewhere in Ireland so was quite comforting!
We leave Pai tomorrow and back to Chiang Mai for a few nights before we head over the border to Laos!
Comments
Post a Comment