Thailand: Chiang Mai and Pai
I spent two months in Thailand and had an amazing time! My route went like this – my friend from the States, Brittany, flew into Bangkok and we went directly to Chiang Mai. We spent 5 days in the north and then went to the Thai islands for a week and a half. After two fantastic weeks together, she returned home and I spent another week and a half in the islands. Next I flew to northern Thailand, spent a week in Chiang Mai, and then began a 10-day meditation course. After the course, I spent two weeks in Pai. Finally, I returned to Bangkok for my bus to Cambodia at the beginning of January. This is part of a series of posts about my time in Thailand.
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Over half of my two months in Thailand were spent in two cities: Chiang Mai and Pai. I could go on for a while about them but I will limit myself to three highlights from each spot.
CHIANG MAI
As the second largest city in Thailand, this is a bustling location, yet, as Brittany said upon arriving in Chiang Mai after spending a day in Bangkok, “I finally feel like I am in Thailand.” Beyond experiencing the delicious restaurants (Thai as well as Western), $6 Thai massages, and the local markets and food carts, here is what I enjoyed most during my time in Chiang Mai:
Elephant Nature Park
Let’s be real – who does not want to spend an afternoon hanging out with elephants? But this popular tourist attraction has a dark side so I did some research to ensure we supported the protection of these incredible animals. Elephant Nature Park was the best option with the motto “No hurt, no show, no ride, no chains.” So B and I spent an afternoon feeding, bathing, and interacting with elephants while learning and supporting the mission of the reserve. It was an unforgettable day, not just for the crazy cool experience, but for understanding the aim to protect the quality of life of the elephants.
Cooking Course
If you know anything about me, you know that I love food! Seriously, I have relationships that are based solely on discussing food topics. Thanks to B, who looks to cook, she insisted on taking a Thai cooking course. It was an excellent idea and I will be incorporating more of them into my travels. After the course, local markets and dishes were familiar and we were more daring with our meal selections. Plus, Thai food is much easier to prepare than I had formerly thought. We took a full-day course at Thai Orchid and had a blast! Our teachers were kind, funny, and easy to understand. We got to eat all the food we prepared and we had some to take home. Fantastic day!
The Sticky Falls
B heard about “The Sticky Falls” on a podcast and suggested we spend an afternoon there. We rented scooters to add a little adventure to our day. The scenery was beautiful as we rode out of the city and into the mountains. Once we got to the falls, it was like being at a natural water park. We could have spent a couple more hours there. My advice: grab some drinks and snacks and spend a relaxing afternoon away from the city. You can find the location and details here.
PAI
Pai will always hold a special place in my heart. To be fair, there is no way to properly describe Pai. You just have to go and experience it. Trust me, you will not regret it.
Get a Scooter
In Pai, everyone has a scooter and rides to all destinations. It was one of my favorite parts of staying here because scootering is just plain fun. Of course, it is serious and be cautious and safe, but it is the most convenient mode of transportation in Pai. Plus, for such a small town, Pai has a ton of spots in and around town that are worth seeing. Watch sunset at the canyon. Spend the morning at the hot springs north of the town and then lay out all afternoon at Fluid Pool. Ride up the hill to take pictures of the giant Buddha. Clear your head with a mountain ride. If in Pai, get a scooter.
Lod Cave
One of the farthest attractions, but one of the most unique. If visiting Pai, you have to spend an afternoon exploring Lod Cave. Ride your scooter about an hour and a half over a mountain with incredible viewpoints. Once at the Cave, it is 500 baht for a guide and boat ride. The boat holds four people and the price is split between the group. My friend and I waited at the entrance and asked to join up with a couple. One mistake we made was to not spend 10 baht and purchase fish food. There are huge catfish in the river that runs through the cave and it is a sight to see them go for the fish food. Besides taking the boat down the river, you get off at three stops and explore the cave by foot. Bring a flashlight and enjoy the striking yet eerie cave.
The Vibe
Amazing people. Great bars and restaurants. A night market where I had dinner every evening. Incredible live music. Beautiful nature. I cannot put into words the greatness of Pai. After my meditation course, I spent two days in Chiang Mai, overwhelmed by the city and sick in bed from the overstimulation. I arrived in Pai, stepped off the bus, and took my first relaxed breath in days. It just gave me that instant calm. Maybe it was the magic of Pai. Maybe after my meditation course, I was finally at a place where I could appreciate the atmosphere. I do not know, but I do know that for two weeks, I felt that I had found my happy place.