Pai

It was time for a rest day. The last two days were amazing but also quite tiring. Pai offers a gorgeous town rest area, surrounded by beautiful countryside.

I was up early, in fact so early the cafe wasn’t open for breakfast. I wandered the small town and found a list of tours. I quickly jotted down the ones I wanted to see and went for breakfast.

The first stop was the Bamboo bridge, made by Buddhist Monks to traverse the rice fields and link two small villages with each other and the temple. It offers a dry and sustainable route, hovering just above the rice fields. I saw some local workmen re-roofing one of the small rest areas, using leaves and vines to make strips of weather proof roofing. The lattice pattern of bamboo strips creaks as you walk on it, but it’s strangely relaxing as the spring in the bamboo cushions each step. The rice fields barren and dry offer slim pickings to the numerous water buffalo. The baby ones prancing about whilst older and wiser ones seek the cooling mud holes to wallow in.

On the way back to the bike park there is a little cafe. I went over and ordered a strawberry smoothie. Upstairs is an open deck with scatter cushions and small tables. I sat in one of two hanging chairs, looking out over the rice fields, bridge, temple and waterbuffalo. Relaxing music played over the gentle clanging of cow bells. I could just fall asleep in this shaded bliss.

Next on the list was the War Memorial bridge. It drew my attention as I’d not seen any ‘war’ items advertised. A little research showed that Thailand was neutral in WW2, right up until 8th of Dec 1941 and a 5 hour in vision by Japan, which led to an alliance between Japan and Thailand. This allowed Japanese military to cross the country to get to Burma. This necessitated crossing the Pai river. The original bridge was made of wood and was built by locals who were paid by the Japanese army. It hugely benefitted the locals as well. When the Japanese had to retreat, they burnt down the bridge, leaving the locals to, once again, resort to a bamboo ferry to. So they rebuilt the bridge which stood until a flood washed it away in the early 1970’s, after which the iron structure that is there today was built.  So its not the original, nor the replacement, but the replacements replacement!

NEXT!

I was off to the Pai Canyon. I stopped for an ice-cold coconut drink before embarking on the very short hike to the canyon. On the way, two French lads had seen a snake and were trying to locate it in the fallen leaves. I had my camera ready, I mean, who doesn’t want to see a French man get bitten by a snake? However, the snake made good its escape.

I had intended to stay for sunset but the quiet peaceful setting, started to fill up. I didnt want to stay with hoards of people, so I left. On the way out I heard a huge scratching noise from the tree next to me so I stopped to look. I just caught sight of a lizard that had been running round the tree. It stopped dead still and now it was hard to see.

Back on ‘Red’, I headed for the giant Buddha in Pai itself. The sun was racing me and there’s 330 steps to climb. I cheated and found a back road two thirds of the way up. 110 steps later I was ready for the sunset over Pai

And as the light faded I rode the very short distance back to my hotel. Ready to get cleaned up for the evening. Pai is a lovely hippy style town with great attractions. I’m glad I didn’t just roll through, on my way to Chaing Mai

My local bar was closed so I walked to ‘C’ bar where I met Ekk the owner and a Fin named Sam. Great news, Sam had extended his visa, today, at the Pai immigration office and it had only taken an hour. After 4 JD and coke, 1 rum and coke, at least 3 tequila and 2 sambuka, we shut the bar and walked to another that stays open late  Ekk was off to Bangkok tomorrow, this was his only chance to party. I could take no more and headed back.

The next morning I was feeling delicate, but I was going to stay an extra day and get my visa done. The hotel extended my stay and registered me with the immigration office. I crossed the road to my favourite cafe, I needed a light breakfast. The door was locked and a sign I’d not seen before said ‘Closed on Tuesdays’. I then walked to the nearby store to get my passport photo and copies of my passport. All done for £3.

Then on to the immigration office. Sure enough I was the only one in there. I had everything prepared I just needed to fill in three forms. The officer gave me the forms and told me the chief who signs the extensions would not be in until Friday. His suggestion was to get it done at Chaing Mai. A bit deflated I headed back out into the sun, put my shoes back on and looked for shade and a cold drink. I spent most of the day catching up on blogs and video editing.

Come the evening I had eaten some food and was enjoying a smoothy at one of the many small cafe/bars, when Sam the Fin turned up. He had only just left his house and was feeling way too delicate to entertain food or drink. About an hour later after the sun had set I strolled back towards my hotel, “Hello handsome Englishman”, I heard from one of the bars. I recognised the voice of Ekk. Ayr and him sat facing the street. Ekks holiday had been put back a day. I joined them. We had a good laugh and I ate quite a bit of Ayr’s take away. Unusual for me as it was a very spicy pork and rice meal, but she was happy to share. I wasn’t going to start drinking with them again so we had one more photo and I said goodbye.