Pai: (? Or Hell) Thailand Mountain backpacker paradise
I do not like Pai. Wait. Check that - I liked Pai, I simply do not love Pai. For years, travelers have told me how much she loved Pai. "It's aaaaa-mazing! It's so much fun. There are healthy foods, incredible drinks and beautiful mountains. You will never" want to leave, they would explain, as if talking about the Garden of Eden.
When I started traveling in 06 in this region, I heard rarely the name Pai mentioned. It was off the beaten path, and then I was to stay all over on the beaten path. Over the years, Pai grew in fame as a destination where people smoked weed, drank, walked and did yoga. never been to Pai, I decided on this trip, it's time finally had to check out what all the fuss was.
trip through northern Thailand in the mountains, my bus turned and twisted. The Way Pai has more than 700 revolutions, but I hardly noticed as I stared out the window rolling like waves in the horizon in the lush hills. It was green, as far as I could see, and I was struck again by the beauty of the Thai countryside. We drove for hours auditioned as our bus driver for an invisible F1 judge. But the heart-stopping speed was worth again to see such beautiful tropical forests.
When I explored the city later that day, I understood why backpackers love Pai why they write so effusive about and emphasize the world love when they call it. Nestled in the mountains, surrounded by waterfalls and wonderful hiking trails Pai is a small town where life moves at a pace that even the most relaxed Spaniard would frustrate. There is also a Western Paradise: there are organic food, lining wheatgrass shots, specialty teas and Western dishes in stores through the city streets. In addition, drinks and accommodation are cheap, and the party goes late.
There is a backpacker's mountain paradise.
But it was often only the things that turned me off to Pai. The town is simply awash to tourism and culture for me. I'm not hating on the footpath - I do this to write in Luang Prabang, Laos in a Western café, while a soda with. But when people are looking for imported food, drink beer from Belgium, and if the road is eating burger, bruschetta and lasagna, I think that things have gone too far.
Thailand itself appears in Pai as waves upon waves of Westerners and Chinese tourists have been lost reshape most of the city. You had to find Thai restaurants which catered for the local population wander. (They were delicious and cheaper than the food on the "market" found on Walking Street.)
Of course, Pai is not all bad - there is plenty to see and do. From the city, you can hike to the waterfalls, walk through farms and rice terraces, where the only sounds, birds and farm animals, and bike to caves and waterfalls are.
I particularly loved the Tham Lod cave to the day trip. Mid afternoon, you will be driven by one of the many tour operators (do not worry, they all go the same way) to Mo Paeng waterfall where you can swim, and then to Sai Ngam (secret) hot springs, a viewpoint, and finally the caves where you arrive just before sunset. After a walk along a short path, a Thai guide you through the three major chambers before boarding a raft, the river to float down the cave in the half splices. It opens the cave as you witness thousands of birds flocking input. It was enigmatic, stunning, and the highlight of my time in Pai.
What I Pai loved the location was not the mood. In a city that charges you to connect your computer, I found drunk obnoxious Watch get shirtless backpacker. How to display these complete what had become Pai, discuss my journey by listening two girls bookended whether they are "wet" or not according to Chinese medicine and two older guys are discussing how Monsanto and governments conspired to depopulate the world.
I can see why so many travelers come here and love it, cheap accommodation, excess Party, the beautiful surroundings, the good Western food. When I restarted and travelers were much younger, this trip atmosphere would be great. You get with many other travelers to communicate to make perhaps a few locals, and a wild time.
But it's not for me.
The Pai of Backpacker's not the Pai that interests me. I love what made Pai famous in the first place. The mountains and the long forest trails to secluded waterfalls, caves, stunning views and a quiet place to read a good book
This is where Pai shines. This makes Pai , the place to be. And why should you go to Pai, stay on the edge of town in a lovely little bungalow, rent a bike, cross the hills, swim in the cool waterfalls, or explore some caves.
Pais is much more than a haven for hippies Westerner, walkers and yoga instructor.
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