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The Dude Abides in Pai

Pai, Thailand


If there is one expression that sums up this hippie-minded, New Age mecca in northern Thailand, it is "no worries." Pai, (pronounced "Bai"), is a small towm of about 3000 residents, mixed between native Thai and ex-pats, who settled here to live or raise families in a care-free, mountain village environment.

Though it is only accessible by an extremely bumpy and stomach-churning minibus ride, pai is still packed with backpackers and tourists.

We checked into our river-side hostel and went out around town. As one might imagine in a community filled with artists and musicians, there is a great nightlife and music scene. The bars are all very funky and creatively designed. The people here are also incredibly friendly and actually not looking to scam foreigners.

Pai is situated close to the hill tribe villages, and the next morning we embarked on a trek through the rainforest to see a few of them.

First we went through a Lisu village, then a Lahu one. Our trek guide, Toi, was great and taught us (well tried to teach us) how to make cups out of bamboo shoots. He also like to sing Beatles songs throughout the trek.


We returned to the town center and went out with a few people to a classic rock bar (they love all old rock/hippie music here).

The next morning we rented mopeds and rode them around the back mountain roads. This area proved to be a perfect place to learn how to ride, as there is no traffic, and the scenery is beautiful (after realizing how tough it was getting used to left-side of the road driving, we were thankful that we had decided not to try mopeds in Bangkok).

After riding around for a bit, we parked at an elephant camp outside Pai and had our first elephant rides. It was pretty awesome for the first 2-3 minutes, but then its gets kinda sore and uncomfortable. The trainers had the elephants do a crazy stunt where they basically fall into the river with us still on top of them (see pics).



Afterwards, we returned to town, ate and chilled out with some people we had met over the last few days. It is crazy to think that a place like this exists in the middle of northern Thailand. Many people we met had lived elsewhere and then decided to settle down here. The care-free, friendly-neighbor, and fun-all-the-time attitude is infectious. Lying in a hammock with faint jazz music in the background, I could see why.

Nevertheless, it is time to move on, away from the career-and-money-don't-matter mindset, back to what one might call "the real world." Oh well. Maybe I'll buy a hammock for my med-school dorm when I get back.

We decided to postpone our trip to frenetic Vietnam and instead first get our full dose of Thailand's southern islands. First stop: Phuket on the Andaman coast.

permalink written by  bhkann on June 28, 2009 from Pai, Thailand
from the travel blog: Ben's SE Asia Voyage
tagged Pai

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My Hometown

Mae Hong Son, Thailand


Rent a car from the airport from the city and heading to Hong Kong. Boil away Pong Pa Pae. Hot springs rising in the country. Surrounded by tall trees and dense it is.

12:00 am Lunch.

13.00 am for the natural water of the creek. The water then travels to Houston. Which is enshrined in the pagoda. The Memphis belle And sacred Buddha images. The effect of the head is hollow. Moree was turned off and visited the village, peaceful lakes and water out. Village, Yunnan, China. Then stroll around the village. Swing, swing, or overly fun.

16:00 am Enjoy a delicious coffee and cake tasting and smooth at C ♡ ffee In L ♡ ve enjoyed the view from my view. And a lovely Interior.

17.00 Check-in Pai, Thailand, or the equivalent.

19:00 pm Dinner at the hotel. (Overnight) with a natural night's impressive.

permalink written by  chitarshop on March 22, 2012 from Mae Hong Son, Thailand
from the travel blog: Mae Hong Son
tagged Korea, Pai and Maehongson

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