“Do nothing in Pai”
This is not going to be like one of my other traditional posts: 60-70 pictures and an outline of the activities we did.
No. Because in Pai, you don’t really DO anything. You lay back. You meander. You nap in hammocks, on cushions in cafes or in the grass along the river. There are literally signs in Pai that request from you, “Do Nothing in Pai.”
Slogan in Pai *not my photo
So as I try to reflect on what experiences I can on Pai, well you’ll have to just go and experience it for yourself – the laid back, peaceful, hippie vibe.
About Pai:
Pai is a few hours north of Chiang Mai. Most people, like us, take the mini bus but some choose to rent a motorbike and drive themselves up the infamous 762 curves from Chiang Mai. It is quite the ride, as those hair pin turns by speeding mini bus can be both frightening and nauseating, but for the most part it’s not so bad.
Pai kind of reminded me of Woodstock, NY. Not that I am the expert on Woodstock, but the couple times I’ve been there I can compare. In Pai there is a bit of hippie vibe. With VW slug buses, cafes with organic tea and coffee, massage spas, dreadlocks, young expats with their naked babies running about, vegetarian spots, reggae bars, etc. Additionally there is a bit of an art scene: handicraft, photography, artistry and music make this small little town unique. Most all the postcards we found were handmade or someone’s personal photography work. Aaron and I bought matching T-shirts that was made by the store owner.
Pai’s main street *image not mine
Some backpacker/hippie like travelers, all the norm
River the separates the town
The famous Pink slug
Bumper sticker contesting the vibe that is Pai
The accommodation options matched the spirit of the town with most being in form of bamboo bungalows. Our bungalow was right outside the town, across the river and iconic bamboo bridge on top of a hill that overlooked mountains, forests and rice fields. We had a large wooden porch with hammocks to allow us to be especially lazy with our doing nothing agenda.
Our bungalow
The views overlooking mountains and countryside
Bamboo bridge into town
Path to our place: once side bungalows, other river
Some of our neighbors managed to get off their porch and be a bit more adventurous taking a motorbike around the countryside and visiting nearby waterfalls, but we were content just hanging out.
Eating noodles, drinking green honey tea
Perfectly happy here
Watching the sunset at our place
A big night out in Pai: wearing pajamas, while ordering beer. Must wear head lamp after dark.
Pai is very proud to be a unique spot from most others in the world. Around these shops, across wall murals you can pick up/see hundreds of “I love Pai” notions.
And I get it. Pai while well traveled by hosts of backpackers and also starting to bring out a more sophisticated clientele, due to the opening of fancy hotels like Hotel Des Artisans, isn’t overcrowded or commercialized. And while the secret is out, you still feel like you have found someplace special.
Pai growing up: Fancy new artsy boutique hotels
Sorry I can’t say anything super adventurous in this post about Pai but it’s just not that kind of place. Pai is a place to escape and check off nothing on your to do list.
Essence of Pai: lazy days