Pai

Our trip to Pai was only about three and a half hours from Chiang Mai along the twisty torturous road through the mountains. I was actually glad when we got to the twisty part though since it meant the driver actually had to slow down and I no longer felt that I was part of his test pilot training. We were in the back row of the 14 passenger van and when he took the left turns the centrifugal force kept me pressed up against the window and on the right turns I was hanging on to the seat ahead of me to avoid crushing Geordie into our other seat mates

We had booked a room for four nights in advance but luckily the receptionist only asked for one night's payment. That evening we realized that we did not want to stay even though the room was comfortable.  I may sound like a cultural hick, but the local music playing on the corner next our hotel was more than we could bear. They may have been playing all kinds of tunes but I could only hear one set of notes repeated over and over. Here's the band 

We have been to Pai several times and each time it is different. On our first trip the town was peaceful and quiet and there were only a few tourists.  Pai has been discovered though and now it is a must seem for the young backpacker crowd. That has led to many many more guest houses, many more motorbikes and an absolute inundation of vendors. There are now two walking streets although apparently motorbikes walk because they are certainly out in full force. There is much to buy, food, local handcrafts, some terrible hats and a lot of t-shirts. The streets teem with people checking out the things on sale. 

Like deep fried insects:

Ugly hats:

Ethnic costumes. 

Cheap scarves

And sausages 

And bags made with ethnic styling 

And dancing 

We moved streets and our new place, while 100 baht cheaper than the original, is absolutely charming. There are many huts, built in local style, set in a beautiful garden with a stream, koi, beautiful flowers and lovely staff. We could probably stay here for weeks because it is so tranquil. 

Our hut. I sit on the little verandah and knit happily. 

The stream 

With koi

Ginger 

Anthuriums

More ginger

And more koi.

It's cold here at night, and in the early morning. We wear multiple layers. In the early morning the fog is down around the town. 

There is a bamboo bridge crossing the river. 

And monks out in their bare feet. 

There are two Wats. I checked them both out this morning. 

This is the second one I saw. They are only a block apart. 

An amazing roof line 

And Buddhas. 

And chedis 

Note the nagas providing shade for the Buddha here. 

And my arty monk photo

And of course lion guardians. 

I took a picture of a cold man enjoying a cigarette. Yes, it's a man. 

And another cold man wearing his sarong as a scarf. 

Our hotel has a steak house and a western theme. Here are two of the staff doing their best cowboy looks. 

And Geordie looking askance

We are staying here two more nights and then we are off to another guest house in Chiang Dao which will be very quiet. It is quite a small place with only two guest houses which are related. That and a temple in a cave. Stay tuned.