Sunday, 29 April 2012


After a few baggage issues in Singapore I was on the home stretch. My new pal Glenn and I arrived at Bangkok airport and worked through the crowds at immigration. I have heard many stories about walking off a plane and having the heat hit you like you just walked into an oven but this was my first time experiencing it. And hot it was!!!! By the time we had found a taxi I was sticky from sweat and contemplating a wardrobe change on the road side.
After an hour ride into the city we got dropped at Kho San Road to find our interesting new home. Here we lived in the rather luxurious roof top pool and experienced amazing Thai massages, I tried my hand at bartering ( which, by the way, I am USELESS at! Even if I get a deal I feel too bad to take it) and ate far too much.
All in all Bangkok was much better then I thought it would be. I had had many warnings about the smelly streets, begging people and over all chaos but these aspects only reminded me of my time in New York. It even made me miss the place a little bit more. 








It was then time for my next venture- to leave the nesting arms of my darling Glenn who had stepped in to save me over the last two days, and get to Pai where I would meet up with my friend Kelly from home. Kel had been living in Pai last year and arrived back there a few months ago. (Quite an inspirational wee thing she is and my time with her in Pai is proving this quality more and more every day.)
Unfortunately the train that left before mine had fallen off the rails (comforting) so our train would be delayed for 4 hours. Thank god we had air con and I had a sleeper cabin as it ended up been an 18 hour trip! And that only lead me to chang mai! From there I got a 12 seater mini van with 16 other people for the last three hours through the mountains. This trip started to fulfil my predicted visions of how Thailand would be. Rows and rows of rice fields extended out in front of us, straw farmers shacks lined up in the distance before the thick of the jungle started to enclose us.  The views of the rolling blue mountains were beautiful and gave off a peaceful sense of freedom. We shot through the tiny villages passing skinny dogs, scruffy children and women who looked as if they were carrying their lives on their heads in baskets. 

Arriving in Pai was like coming home. I know that sounds so cheesey but it really did feel like that. Like an Asian version of Hahei a place I have so much love for and so much security from. The night markets line the streets and the beautiful warm people of the village all nod and smile at you as you pass. The blue mountains look down on you from each angle and everyone who lives here are friends.

Kelly came to pick me up from the bus station in true Pai style. She rolled up on her motorbike with her wavey blonde hair and hippy ensemble blowing in the wind behind her. I jumped on the back, well jumped makes it sounds like it was easy, with my massive pack and other bags it was more like clambered on desperately trying to hold my balance, and we were off. We drove around sightseeing the village for a wee bit before getting into some sticky rice and mango and checking out the night market.
After a few rounds of this she took me to her friends bar the Blah Blah Bar. Such an amazing place, we stayed there all night long hanging with new friends in the heat of the night.








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