Pai
Definition of Pai hole; a place where backpackers get stuck for endless days and weeks, exploring but mainly following the endless parties.
Before leaving for Pai I said, “I won’t get stuck in Pai”… but I can fully understand how people get stuck there. I was almost sucked in.
Frankie, JJ and me booked dorms at Mad Monkey for 3 nights but we ended up staying for 6 nights.
We jumped on a bus in Chiang Mai and after 3 hours we arrived in Pai. We rented a scooter each for 100 baht then headed for our accommodation.
I was a little disappointed when we arrived to Mad Monkey as it was the opposite of Mad like the other ones I have stayed at in Indonesia and Chiang Mai. We didn’t get off to a great start as non of us could work the A/C so the first night felt like we were staying in a sauna, it was colder outside than in our room! How did we manage this?! Things only got better and we didn’t have another sauna situation again.
The next seven days were a blur of exploring and partying.
Mo Pang Waterfall
When we initially arrived we headed straight to Mo Pang Waterfall to cool down. We payed 100 baht to enter and descended the stairs to the waterfall. You could honestly stay here for hours and since we only had half an hour until closing we decided to come back again the next day for longer.
Each waterfall you see, except the last one, you can slip your way down into the cool waters below. It doesn’t look the cleanest but if you walk further up the water is clearer, it’s murky due to the amount of people sitting around at the top and moving all the dirt.
I would have to recommend going down the middle natural slide, it looks very sketchy but is well worth the speed and adrenaline you get from it.
Pai Canyon
After some fun splashing around we headed to Pai Canyon where we explored the landscape, climbing up and down through the crevices. Frankie even spotted a snake poking his head out of a crack.
It has to be one of my favourite sunset spots. Watching the sun go behind the mountains and seeing the sun rays glowing against the orange dirt of the canyon. It was like being in a film.
Nam Lod Cave
The next couple of days consisted of some parties at Yellow Sun, Revolution, and Paizy Bar, we made it to Sunset Bar for a rave night but it was over rated.
Before the big party day (Jungle tubing) we took a trip to Nam Lod Cave, which was approximately 1 hour drive from Pai. We went as a group of 6, taking 4 bikes between us.
The long, winding roads were a joy to drive for the first half an hour but soon became tiring from concentrating. The roads took us through the mountains and opened up to stunning views of the countryside every so often.
We thought if we went as a larger group it would make it cheaper for everyone, but there’s a limit. On arrival we discovered the tour guide can only take a maximum of 3 people! Luckily we had two full groups.
We sent off on our tour with our guide who spoke very minimal English. Very minimal meaning, calling the stalagmites and stalactites as a “crocodile”, “snake”, or my personal favourite “gul” which we later found out was an eagle!
She was the sweetest lady, and she made our day when she took us on the bamboo rafts to cave 3. There was an abundance of large carp and catfish, with the odd monster sized one. You could splash the water and they would all come swimming over, expecting to be fed.
When we exited the bamboo raft, we climbed a short distance up into the cave and seen the most spectacular view to the river and forest. We continued hiking up stairs and did a loop around cave 3 then headed back to the exit.
She must have considered us the worst explorers! JJ and Frankie were asking her a thousand questions, taking pictures with “boobs” and “penis” shaped stalagmites and stalactites. I hope we also gave her a good laugh though.
Our expedition was over for the day and it was time for another tiring motorbike ride home.
Jungle Tubing
Finally, Jungle Tubing day!
It was one of the main reasons for going, and it didn’t disappoint. Well apart from the lack of water in the river, there were many parts when a surprise stone skiffed your bum or sometimes some algae.
Each stop had its entertainment and games, as usual everyone was getting drunker and drunker and dirtier and dirtier.
We covered each other in bright pink paint, some green algae, and I lost an earring. I would say that was a success!
By the time we got home juts after 7pm, we were all pretttty tipsy to say the least. After we showered we ate some food then headed back out to find a party for the night which turned out to be a flop due to the lack of energy after a long day on the river.
Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridge
On our last second last day we went to Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridge, where we payed 30 baht for entry.
We slowly meandered along the bridges, marvelling at the fish pond, Thai buildings and cows. The bridges were set sometimes a foot an above ground but no higher than 2 meters. The bamboo creaked under every footstep and you could sometimes feel it flex underfoot.
At the end of the walkway we came across a temple, which I wasn’t prepared for this and couldn’t go and see it (respect to the local religion). I waited for the boys and back we went to have a “chilled” last night.
Muay Thai
It was anything but chilled, we went to see a Muay Thai fight (my first time seeing a fight). It was gripping from start to finish, constantly sitting on the edge of your seat.
Kraby knew one of the men fighting, Chris from France, Merel, Kraby and me made banners to cheer him on! It was all going to well for him until round 3/4. You could see him starting to get tired, kicks and punches getting more and more sluggish.
Chris met his end, one kick straight to the side of his head and he fell like a log. BUT, he got back up and continued. You could see the dazed look in his eyes, a couple more hits and he was done. For his first fight he did extremely well. The rest of the night was filled with “ooohs” and “ahhhs”. Mothers and Fathers excitedly cheering on their offspring.
To end the night… Sunset rave party. We will skip this part you know how parties go.
Our Last Day in Pai
The last day was terrible, we were hungover and slow from the night before. We literally had a chilled day, we had nothing left in our tanks. Pai had swallowed us and spat us back out.
Just in time to see a fire show, ooohhh!
The fire show was the best way to end our trip in Pai, we could sit back relax and watch flames dance in front of our eyes. The entertainer did a fabulous job in between performers. He kept us captivated with his silly little games or picking out people from the audience, even the fire breathing chicken was cool!
And that was the end of Pai.
