Pai love, Pai - Thailand

From Chiang Mai to Pai we caught a "VIP" mini bus for 160TB (£3.20). The 3hr journey isn't the best for those who get car sick. It's a long winded drive up and down mountains with around 780 sharp bends and corners. The mini bus only used 1st and 2nd gear because the roads were so steep. 

We'd booked our accommodation the night before - I'd recommend this with Pai since rooms get booked up quickly. We stayed in Pai Country Cottages which were situated across the river. Our accomdation was amazing, we loved it. We had our own bamboo hut with a hammock out front, a double bed (with a duvet and mosquito net) and a private outside bathroom. We also had an unlimited amount of tea and coffee which was a bonus. Our online booking came to 500TB/250TB each (£5 a night), but we ended up extending our stay for another night which cost us 620TB/310TB each (£6). 

After we settled down, we went to explore. Pai is situated in between mountains with a river running through it. It's really pretty and quiet so it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There are many unique boutiques selling an aray of clothes from crochet to tie dye. We did a bit of shopping, had some lunch and then headed back to chill in the hammock. 

 

At night, Pais' main roads close for a street market. To be honest, I'm getting slightly bored of markets, you can't get away from them. We decided to check out a few bars, and found one called "Almost Famous" which sold amazing mojitos - grape, lychee, guava, mango, passion fruit, all made with fresh fruit for 100TB and buy 4 get 1 free. We liked this place. We met a guy called Mark here who was 40 odd. He made us an itinery to follow the following day which included water falls and the hot springs. 

Mopeding around Pai - Thailand

  

Right, so I'm currently on an over night bus in Laos, heading to Luang Prabang trying to catch up with all this blogging. Tigers not been feeling too good because the trips been rough but she's asleep on my shoulder and someone is snoring loudly over my London Grammar.

Anyway, day two in Pai was just great. We followed Marks itinerary pretty much step by step. Originally we were supposed to go with some Israeli guys that we met, HOWEVER we over slept because our duvet was so comfy. Back in England some guy at the pub told me to check out Mr Bigs little cafe for their sausage baps. Dayum I wanna kiss this guy for telling me... The best sausage bap I've ever had. So so good - homemade sausages better than the ones in England. The price is decent too, 75TB and you can make a fruit shake with as much fruit as you like for 30TB. Definitely a place worth checking out, it's great. 

After breakfast we made the sensible decision of getting moped lessons since you couldn't walk to the hot springs/waterfall and taxis can't pick you up. Mark recommended this guy, Allan, who charged me 150TB for a one hour lesson on the basics. I'm so glad I took the lessons instead of just hiring a bike with no experience. I did fall over once during the lesson (and smashed the bikes wing mirror) but I think without lessons, I would've fallen off many more times. We hired a bike from Aya Service for 100TB once I had plucked the courage to face the mountain roads. We also purchased accidental and damage insurance for 40TB, a full tank 50TB and a deposit for helmets at 100TB each. 

Hiring the moped was the best idea we've had since being in Thailand. They make life so easy! Following Marks itinery, we went to feed the elephants bananas for 20TB. Next stop was trying to find Pemboke Waterfall. After a 30mins drive up dirt tracks and through small communities we find the waterfall. We stayed for a swim although we were shit scared for watersnakes.  

Heading back, we stopped at the memorial bridge for some coconut icecream. We then went off to find the natural hot springs. These springs were actually too hot to bathe in but they charge you 200TB to go see them. Not really worth the money if you ask me. Instead, we went to this place opposite called "Spa Exotic Home" which was like swimming in a maaaaaaaassive hot bath tub. The water was so so warm and really relaxing. We paid 80TB and the place is open till 10pm although we only stayed there for 30mins since the heat started getting to our head. 

Finally returning back, we decided to have our first restaurant meal together. We may have cheated and had spaghetti carbonara + chicken and chips but that's just a maybe. We then went to investigate about travelling to Luang Prabang - Laos.

There are 3 options, all ranging in price:

VIP Bus// 1 day, 2 nights. 1550TB

Slow Boat// 2 days, 1 night. 1750TB

Speed Boat// 1 day (and possibly 1 night, can't remember) 2250TB

We chose to take the VIP Bus for the following day at 6.30 pm. The price includes one night stay in a guest house.