Lazy days in a hammock are a favorite in Pai....

.."Lazy days in a hammock are a favorite in Pai, along with just staring at the mountains and rivers... "
pronounced as "bai" or "bye"

The sleepy hippy town of Pai is situated 135kms northwest of ChiangMai, halfway to MaeHongSon. As you enter Pai area, the mountain road makes a meandering decline into a large green valley of padi fields and fruit groves. Pai is a tiny place with 4 main roads but offers a rich bohemian atmosphere where you can collect your thoughts and commune with nature. Trendy cafes and boutique B&B, slow pace of life and lots of cyclists and motorcyclists..

A decade ago, Pai was virtually unknown and today it has developed into a thriving, multi cultural town. Fortunately it has retained its down-to-earth feel and prices are still reasonable, making it especially popular with backpackers and free-spirits...who sometimes stay for months. Recent consciousness of health and environment has largely reduced the open consumption of opium or marijuana and even normal cigarettes are a rare scene !

Pai can be reached by bus, 3 - 4 hrs from ChiangMai and less from MaeHongSon. We rented a little car (we would recomend a 4wheeldrive) and it takes less than 2 hrs fr ChiangMai ..very good roads on highway. However off highway, watch out for the thousands of pot holes. Contrary to the many write-ups in the Net regarding the weather & road conditions on this "MaeHongSon loop" , we assure you it is totally safe even in our normal city wheeler ! thanks to our Asian upbringing, we are much "toughened up" and can eat practically everything!

so Peterpatterpot takes to the road ... 1180km road trip, 1864 curves or even more..

MaeHongSon - Mae Sariang 164km




Leading the way fr MAEHONGSON to Paduang Long Neck, Sunflower fields, Calcite Cave..











scenery along the H108


























pumpkin send to ChiangMai mkts





















OBSTACLES ALONG OUR WAY TO KAREN VILLAGE

























Yaris crossing rivers 9 in total !




more obstacles... winding roads uphill and downhill






truck with cement cylinders NOT SECURED !!!.. we had to follow for 2 kms winding roads..




"hangman" corner











just checking the laundry


now which way to go?? road or river ??we took the road, but later found out that the left "river" way leads to the more exclusive tribe the Ban Huai Dua village.







Heading south of MaeHongSon, the road follows narrow valley thru Kuan Yuam and further south to MaeSariang. Today we are visiting the Paduang - Long Neck Karen . They are found in Ban Nai Soi, Ban Huai Sua Tao and by boat to Ban Huai Dua. ( Foreigners pay 250baht pp ).

Signs for Huai Sua Tao "long necks" will direct you to the Paduang Village, about 10km fr the H108
















"Aor Me Lee" is Karen word for "hello"

























































The women of this "long neck" tribe do not have long necks but have their shoulders "forced" down by metal coils worn since at a young age.










except this one !!! dressing up for the occassion?


Turning off to the SUNFLOWER FIELDS , Tong Bua Thong, at Kuan Yuam to find we are a bit too early. Flowers only bloom in November !! a long 26km drive fr H108...winding & narrow road.
















found one sunflower !!










peterpatterpot in his imaginary sunflower fields
So heading southbound to another natural formation is the Calcite Cave at Mae La Noi. Halfway between Kuan Yuam and MaeSariang , we reached there (6pm) just in time to catch the last pick-up truck to take us up to the top of the hill..










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