Lying here in a hammock at the guesthouse I'm staying at in Pai. It is raining out so not too much to do. Relax. Read. Write. Eat.
So a day out on scooters around Pai. We visited a waterfall, though there wasn't a lot of water falling and then made our way to the hot springs. We didn't spend too much time in the water of the hot springs as most of I was really hot and I was already hot outside. The entrance fee was quite steep, 200baht (7$). Alex, the guy I was with haggled and got it to 150 (5$). Haha. At the source of the water the sign said it was 80C and it wad bubbling. Not to mention there was a dead bloated frog in the water.
That night I went out with some other people I met for a bit.
The next morning, June 2nd, Alex and I headed to Mae Hong Son (check out my google map, page 2) by local bus. It was funny as the monk wouldn't let ke or Nother western girl sit beside him, only a male. Then this local Thai village lady wouldn't move her bag of the seat to make room for me so I was just barely on the seat. We got to town found a place to stay then relaxed. Got some lunch (sweet & sour chicken and a coke) for a whole 1.35$ (mmm), then sat and played cards. Met a Dutch guy at the guesthouse and met up with him for dinner and a couple drinks. I had a western night and got a delicious burger. Mark, Dutch guy, headed off not too late and Alex and I stayed and played some cards. We ended up finding a local pub/restaurant and stopped in for a bit. Though this in no way resembles a pub in our western eyes. Live music.
Back at the guesthouse chatted for a bit and then before going to sleep someone asks if we have something for bugs. They had cockroaches in their room and "couldn't sleep". Get over it, your in Thailand. Haha.
The next day we hired motorbikes, 110cc, and then made our way early afternoon up to a Chinese village. We got a "luxury" place to stay after haggling for 15minutes. It was on a hillside amongst tea plants and had a nice view out over the lake. Nice peaceful night.
The next morning we were going to head back to town, but found the lake/resevoir we tried to find the day before. We also found Mr. Hilary, who I read about on lonely planet. He grows organic coffee, so we stopped for a cup and then decided we would spend a nigt there. I lived it. This man had some of everything growing. Pineapples, macademia, coffee, tea, passionfruit, the list goes on. He was really kind. We had a little hut at his place. We walked around he area and he village. Went swimming like the locals apparently do daily. It was wonderful. Could have stayed.
The next morning, 5th, we headed back to Mae Hong Son on our bikes and then caught a bus back to Pai.
Here I am in Pai. Wanted to go to the local pool today but the weather is not really holding up. Already 3pm.
Crazy.
My visa expires on the 10th so I need to make my way to a border soon. Planned to go to Chian amai tomorrow but wondering if I'd like to spend one more day here. I will go to Chiang Rai on he 9th and then to the border on the 10th.
Things are going well. Enjoying relaxing and taking things easy right now. Slowly, slowly. Shanti shanti.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Scooting around
Like usual, falling behind on my blog.
The last time I wrote I was heading down to the islands. I ended up staying one extra day in Bangkok as I found out that someone I knew and hadn't seen in 11 years was in town. We met up for dinner and drinks. Great!
The next day I headed to Ko Samui. A southern island on the East coast. Quite a big island. I met a group of Germans off the ferry and ended up finding a place to stay with them. We had really nice bungalows with TV and a fridge, 2 minutes from the beach. Forgot to mention there was a pool too. We just relaxed our first day there.
The next day we made our way to Big Buddha. A temple and statue on a hill by the coast. Then we checked out a market and the beach.
The following day, Vicky and I set out to a waterfall on our own as we couldn't find the 3 boys. We took a shared truck and got it really cheap. We hiked in from the road to the first waterfall, which wasn't all that impressive. Not much water and not that high. Then we hiked up to the second which also did not have a ton of water, but was 80m high. Then home for a swim.
The next morning we caught a ferry to Ko Phanang. This island is known for the Full Moon Party, that I did NOT plan to go to. We found a cheap place, again with a pool. Great. We found out that there was a Half Moon Party that night. Bad choice and bad night for me....that's all that needs to be said.
The following morning we decided to move over to the other beach...white sand, beautiful beach. One more night for me and I headed on my own to Ko Tao. Needed some me time.
That night I had a pizza for dinner....it was tasty though the following morning I woke up feeling ill. NOT good. I lazed around on the beach for a couple days taking it easy. Took a ferry and night bus back to Bangkok the next day, where I got some breakfast and caught another bus to Ayuthaya. 2 Nights here and lots of bike riding around the temples and ruins. Relaxing but hot as anything.
From here I made my way to Sukhothai, 5 hours north. I spent two nights here and again got a bicycle around the Old City ruins. I really enjoyed these few days. At the ruins I met an Italian guy that I rode around with for a bit. We ended up at a temple with the Diamond Eyed Buddha...good luck apparently. A little monk showed us in and did a prayer. Then he got us doing some little ceremony thing. Told us about the Buddha in Thai and wished many children on us. We got a bracelet which he performed a little ceremony and we all shared a banana...bizarre. We got a pendant with Sukhothai Buddha. We took photos. He had assumed we were married or engaged...who nows. Interesting.
From here I made my way to Chiang Mai. I found a place to stay with a couple that were on my bus. Nice place with a pool. That night I went to the night market with Annete and bought a couple pairs of pants. Nice evening. The next day I thought I would check out some of the temples. At the first one I met a Chinese girl, Nan who was with a Thai guy from her guesthouse showing her around. I tagged along with them for the rest of the day and then went home for a swim before meeting up with Nan for the Saturday night market. It was a nice evening.
The next morning I moved to her guesthouse which was more like a hostel than where I was staying. More atmosphere. And we went to the zoo. Made me sad for the animals actually. And that night, Sunday nigh walking street (market).
Yesterday I left Chiang Mai to go further north to Pai. It is a small town of about 3000. I am loving it here. I came up with an English guy from the last place I stayed. We have got scooters and scooted around today. Waterfall and hot springs. Nice day. The hot springs at the top were bubbling...about 80 C. Crazy. Tomorrow heading off to Mae Hong Son and then get scooters there and try and check out some villages in the area. I think I will stay in the area until the 8th. Enjoyed the relaxed side of things here.
The last time I wrote I was heading down to the islands. I ended up staying one extra day in Bangkok as I found out that someone I knew and hadn't seen in 11 years was in town. We met up for dinner and drinks. Great!
The next day I headed to Ko Samui. A southern island on the East coast. Quite a big island. I met a group of Germans off the ferry and ended up finding a place to stay with them. We had really nice bungalows with TV and a fridge, 2 minutes from the beach. Forgot to mention there was a pool too. We just relaxed our first day there.
The next day we made our way to Big Buddha. A temple and statue on a hill by the coast. Then we checked out a market and the beach.
The following day, Vicky and I set out to a waterfall on our own as we couldn't find the 3 boys. We took a shared truck and got it really cheap. We hiked in from the road to the first waterfall, which wasn't all that impressive. Not much water and not that high. Then we hiked up to the second which also did not have a ton of water, but was 80m high. Then home for a swim.
The next morning we caught a ferry to Ko Phanang. This island is known for the Full Moon Party, that I did NOT plan to go to. We found a cheap place, again with a pool. Great. We found out that there was a Half Moon Party that night. Bad choice and bad night for me....that's all that needs to be said.
The following morning we decided to move over to the other beach...white sand, beautiful beach. One more night for me and I headed on my own to Ko Tao. Needed some me time.
That night I had a pizza for dinner....it was tasty though the following morning I woke up feeling ill. NOT good. I lazed around on the beach for a couple days taking it easy. Took a ferry and night bus back to Bangkok the next day, where I got some breakfast and caught another bus to Ayuthaya. 2 Nights here and lots of bike riding around the temples and ruins. Relaxing but hot as anything.
From here I made my way to Sukhothai, 5 hours north. I spent two nights here and again got a bicycle around the Old City ruins. I really enjoyed these few days. At the ruins I met an Italian guy that I rode around with for a bit. We ended up at a temple with the Diamond Eyed Buddha...good luck apparently. A little monk showed us in and did a prayer. Then he got us doing some little ceremony thing. Told us about the Buddha in Thai and wished many children on us. We got a bracelet which he performed a little ceremony and we all shared a banana...bizarre. We got a pendant with Sukhothai Buddha. We took photos. He had assumed we were married or engaged...who nows. Interesting.
From here I made my way to Chiang Mai. I found a place to stay with a couple that were on my bus. Nice place with a pool. That night I went to the night market with Annete and bought a couple pairs of pants. Nice evening. The next day I thought I would check out some of the temples. At the first one I met a Chinese girl, Nan who was with a Thai guy from her guesthouse showing her around. I tagged along with them for the rest of the day and then went home for a swim before meeting up with Nan for the Saturday night market. It was a nice evening.
The next morning I moved to her guesthouse which was more like a hostel than where I was staying. More atmosphere. And we went to the zoo. Made me sad for the animals actually. And that night, Sunday nigh walking street (market).
Yesterday I left Chiang Mai to go further north to Pai. It is a small town of about 3000. I am loving it here. I came up with an English guy from the last place I stayed. We have got scooters and scooted around today. Waterfall and hot springs. Nice day. The hot springs at the top were bubbling...about 80 C. Crazy. Tomorrow heading off to Mae Hong Son and then get scooters there and try and check out some villages in the area. I think I will stay in the area until the 8th. Enjoyed the relaxed side of things here.
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