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..

Pai - MaeHongSon 109km










MAEHONGSON
The route to MaeHongSon goes via Soppong. Known as the City of Mists. The area around the Chong Kham Lake retains its old charm. Arriving late evening, we had to check into Priya Guesthouse (facing lake) BUT which is NOT RECOMENDED... phew!! Smelly!at 650baht per nite.

Checked out next morning and found a very very much better accom, The Residence. (also mentioned by Lonely Planet) at 900baht per nite. We even had good coffee for breakfast at a "Coffee Morning" next road.

Offerings at Wat Prathat, Doi Kong Mu in MaeHongSon. Lucky for us, we witness the annual festival at Doi Kong Mu where 188 monks from all over the district walked down the hundreds of steps from the hill temple. As they descend the hill, donations of all types are received in their " bowls". We woke up at 6am , misty and cold. Waited till 730am before the procession started.


up, up & away































































View fr Wat Prathat at 7am, Doi Kong Mu
Our Navigator lead us directly to THE MUD SPA, just off MaeHongSon village, unfortunately rained heavily when we reached there. Highly recomended Navigator, never get lost !














so off we went to "PONG OONG" or "Ban Ruam Thai" 44 km fr MaeHongSon, passing the Ban Na Pa Paek and Waterfalls and keep going.. & driver thought we were lost cos road look more like a off-track dirt path leading to nowhere ! However when we reached the checkpoint, we were told we cant enter with our "city" car. They have their 4-wheeldrive to take us in and cost 600baht each !!














So we made a U-turn and decide to have lunch at the SHAN VILLAGE, Ban Raak Thai, where the Chinese are from Yunnan, China. A beautiful lake surrounded by tatched roof dwellings.





beautiful Chinese settlement, very near to the Burma border


























COFFEE BREAK... HillKoff outlet at FISH CAVE (Tham Pla)












Fish Cave is part of the Tham Pla Nam Tok Pha Sua National Park. Its a phenomenon that these fishes swim upstream into a "never-never land" a dark tunnel of no return. Locals believe they are "holy" ,"mystical" ..













Coffee Morning... a book Cafe with Rooms to let as well.





























at the Night Market, we came across my miniture furry "friends". Thought they were toys but actually alive and all dressed up for party !! so adorable...so cute .. we had to go back 3 times .. take pics, make sure they are real again...












No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)