Northern Thailand - Chiang Mai and Pai
Hi there,
this is a quick summary of antics in northern Thailand; We spent 3 days in Chiang Mai after taking the night train up from Phitsanulok and stayed in the old part of the city which is surrouned by a moat and the remains of a 700 year old wall to keep bad types out. Undeveloped parts of the old city are made up of narrow streets or soi lined with guest houses, restaurants and many temples. Chiang Mai was great and had loads of charm but the touristiness of it started to quickly wear us down. One the highlights for me was visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep perched on the hill overlooking the city which is one of northern Thailands most sacred temples.
After three days of screaming tuk-tuk drivers and an endless succession of stall holders demanding attention it was time to escape to Pai. Pai is my favorite place in Thailand to date, a mountain paradise nessled in a mountain valley next to a tranquil river. It was absolute bliss, lazing around reading, eating and exploring the surrounding villages by scooter. Here we met up with a great couple from Wyoming, John and Abby whom we had previously met in Chiang Mai watching rugby! Abby and Liz went off and did a Thai cooking class (as all good girls should) while the lads went off to try and find a local waterfall - after 2.5 hours of walking no waterfall was found. But the best thing about Pai was that we got to ride elephants!! We went on a 2 hour elephant trek through rain forest and the local river - bear back! At the river we were treated to elephant rodeo, a test of strength and endurance as the elephant tried to flick us from her back - Liz was too busy laughing to hold on.
On leaving Pai we traveled in a loop through Mae Hong Son back to Chiang Mai around Doi Inthanon National Park. Although it took ten hours this was most senic and enjoyable trips in Thailand. The landscape here is very similar to Lao with towering rainforest covered hills and narrow roads. We stayed one night in Chiang Mai before heading for the Lao boarder at Chiang Saen.
And that my friends is my brief Thailand synopsis - photos will be up soon! Love to all, James.
this is a quick summary of antics in northern Thailand; We spent 3 days in Chiang Mai after taking the night train up from Phitsanulok and stayed in the old part of the city which is surrouned by a moat and the remains of a 700 year old wall to keep bad types out. Undeveloped parts of the old city are made up of narrow streets or soi lined with guest houses, restaurants and many temples. Chiang Mai was great and had loads of charm but the touristiness of it started to quickly wear us down. One the highlights for me was visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep perched on the hill overlooking the city which is one of northern Thailands most sacred temples.
After three days of screaming tuk-tuk drivers and an endless succession of stall holders demanding attention it was time to escape to Pai. Pai is my favorite place in Thailand to date, a mountain paradise nessled in a mountain valley next to a tranquil river. It was absolute bliss, lazing around reading, eating and exploring the surrounding villages by scooter. Here we met up with a great couple from Wyoming, John and Abby whom we had previously met in Chiang Mai watching rugby! Abby and Liz went off and did a Thai cooking class (as all good girls should) while the lads went off to try and find a local waterfall - after 2.5 hours of walking no waterfall was found. But the best thing about Pai was that we got to ride elephants!! We went on a 2 hour elephant trek through rain forest and the local river - bear back! At the river we were treated to elephant rodeo, a test of strength and endurance as the elephant tried to flick us from her back - Liz was too busy laughing to hold on.
On leaving Pai we traveled in a loop through Mae Hong Son back to Chiang Mai around Doi Inthanon National Park. Although it took ten hours this was most senic and enjoyable trips in Thailand. The landscape here is very similar to Lao with towering rainforest covered hills and narrow roads. We stayed one night in Chiang Mai before heading for the Lao boarder at Chiang Saen.
And that my friends is my brief Thailand synopsis - photos will be up soon! Love to all, James.
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