Pai

Wednesday the 19th til Saturday the 29th of February: The bus ride from Chiang Mai to Pai was very winding. Even though it only took 3 hours, I was very glad when we arrived, as I had to fight motion sickness for the last hour. Luckily my hostel was just around the corner of the bus station and I had the luxury of a private room 😁 So I just chilled in my room and read a book. The next day I walked around Pai and tried to figure out, what tours and hikes I could do. In the evening I joined the first pub crawl. My hostel, Common Grounds, closed down the common area around 9pm, but took everyone who wanted to party on a pub tour. It was a very nice evening and a good way to get to know people. I could not party too long though, because I was going to do a day trekking tour in the jungle the next morning. When I arrived at the tour starting point early on Friday, I was informed that the tour was canceled, because the other two people got sick 😑 It was rescheduled for the next day. Instead, I did a half day tour around Pai to see the main attractions. We went to see the White Buddha, stopped at some lookouts, visited the Chinese Village, drove to the Land Split, to a (dried out) waterfall, to the Bamboo Bridge and for sundown we arrived at the Pai Canyon. I was quite surprised how dry the land was, but I read, that they are dealing with a severe drought, the worst in 40 years. So no big waterfall and the rice fields underneath the Bamboo Bridge were mostly brown instead of the usual lush green. There was a lot of smoky haze as well, because of the burning season. They burn the low growing bushes in the forests and clear their fields for the new season by burning them. It's actually forbidden, but there are no controls. Very interesting was the Land Split. In 2008 a farmer woke up to the sight of his land split in two, due to an earthquake. The split is still active and forming new cracks. The sundown at Pai Canyon was beautiful. The Canyon has partly very narrow ridges and it was a challenge to find a good spot to watch the sunset, without having to climb too dangerous slopes. But it was definitely worth it. After the tour, I went back to the hostel, practiced my scills at the pool table (I am actually not that bad anymore) and joined the next pub crawl. Again, I had to hold back my inner party animal to be fit for the trekking tour next day. The tour was wonderful. Our guide Cha drove us to the starting point in the mountains, where we were joined by his brother, who led us into the jungle. It was very hot and humid, so the first steep ascents were challenging. We had a break after about 1,5 hours and our guides prepared a barbecue... in the middle of the jungle! They made almost everything out of bamboo: a steam oven for the rice, spikes, spoons, a "teapot". Cha also showed us how to make fire, just with bamboo. The food was great and so we hiked on with new energy. After another 2 hours we reached a cave, were we had to crawl through some narrow gaps to get to the other side of it. The sun hit the opening at the perfect angle, stunning. Behind the cave is Cha's home village located, we're we rested. Some of the group stayed there over night to do a second day of trekking. The rest of us was driven back to Pai. After so much exercise, I treated myself to a Rotee. That's a kind of pancake, fried and filled or covered with anything you want. I recommend banana and chocolate. Delicious 😋 I had a little nap back at the hostel and then got ready for the jungle party. Yeah right, not enough jungle action for me that day 😂 It was like a big neon-party-playground and this time I could release the party animal, as there was nothing planed for the next day. I had such a fun night with the hostel people and had charming Canadian company, who saw me home safely ☺️ The next day it took us a while to get over our hangovers. I did not envy the guys working at the hostel, who had to lead the next pub crawl that night. Unfortunately I started to have a sore throat and within one hour, my head was pounding and I had a fever 🤒 No, it was not Corona, but I was really sick for three days before the antibiotics started working their magic. Luckily I had a good nurse 😊 On my last day, I went to an elephant sanctuary. I had informed myself online and by asking several people. I wanted to find a place, where the elephants are treated well and have a good life. I went to Thom's Elephant Camp. I fed them and had a walk with the biggest of them, 24 year old Tadau. I preferred not to go for a bath with her in the river, as I was quite intimidated by her strength. She also was a bit naughty that day, ignoring her owners commands a couple of times. It was fascinating to experience these magestic and powerful animals up close, but I generally was disappointed by the place. They were not cruel to the elephants, but they cept them in far too little enclosures and only took them out for walks and baths. For the last night there was another pub crawl and I really looked forward to enjoying the evening, as I felt much better after my fever. Unfortunately my once so charming friend did a 180 towards being a complete d***k (excuse my French), so I was pretty down. Until a very nice New Yorker cheered me up. Thanks Wilson, saved my night! 😘 On Friday, after 10 days (I had extended my stay twice), it was time to say goodbye 😭 As I didn't want to get motion sickness again, I took 2 vomex before getting on the bus to Chiang Mai. I had taken it before and never had any side effects. This time I felt almost a bit high and had muscle weakness, very uncomfortable. So I was totally knackered when I arrived, just went for some street food with two guys from my hostel and then wanted to go to bed. I was just about to kill the light, when I saw it... A BED BUG!!! 😱😱😱 On the empty bed next to me. But when they are there, they are everywhere. So I fled the hostel and booked another one close by. No bed bugs there and I was able to get a little sleep before I left early the next morning for Phuket.