Our (adventurous) Five Days in Pai, Thailand

 

After now being settled in Chiang Mai for one month (two months for Zack!), we were super excited to go on our first little trip.  With last week being October break for teachers here, we planned a little getaway a few hours north, up to a place called Pai (pronounced somewhere between "Pie" and "Bye"... we still can't master that short "P" sound).  Nestled in the hills of Northern Thailand, this small populated town (approx. 3,000 people?) is, in my opinion, the perfect place to find the best of both worlds:  outdoor adventure combined with a completely chill atmosphere.  Hiking trails, waterfalls and beautiful scenery, combined with a somewhat "hippie" vibe in the town, Pai has become a popular off the beaten track destination for many backpackers.  We had read about this place having the reputation that really anything goes, and we were eager to find out what this place was really like.

Despite waking up on Saturday morning with a sinus pain and runny nose, we packed one backpack between the two of us (we are seriously getting good at this "packing light" thing) and hopped on our motorbike.  It was kind of a last minute decision to drive ourselves.  Up until the day before, we had planned on taking a bus.  Here's the thing:  With 762 twists and turns, we were told you have to be slightly crazy to drive all the way up to Pai.  After some more research, we decided we'd go for it anyways.  I truly think Zack has some really decent driving skills on the motorbike (unlike myself... I went out on the roads once and felt so out of control it was scary.  I'll have to work on that one), and we decided we'd take our time and enjoy the journey.  With that being said, our motto for the drive was (in a very calm voice):  The journey is the destination.  Shanti.  (Shanti means peace in Hindu.  I thought it suited the Pai vibe).    

So, before I go into more detail about where and how we ended up discovering our Pai adventures, I am really excited to present to you our very first GoPro video!!  Zack recently bought a basic GoPro for my birthday and we are really excited to use it throughout our travels in SouthEast Asia!  Presenting:  Adventures in Pai:

How I've been spending my time in Thailand... and what expat life is teaching me so far.

I've learned a lot within the last couple of years.  I've learned things don't always go as planned, and that is okay.  I've learned to embrace change and to strive towards acheiving my goals instead of settling.  I've learned that my goals are constantly changing as I adapt to my current situations, and that is also okay.  These are all small pieces within the big picture.  

Culture Shock in Chiang Mai: My first Impressions

Across the street, there are people selling beetles the size of my palm (for fighting purposes), down the street you can find grilled frog on the menu, and I'm not so sure what exactly was in my noodle soup that I just ate.  Welcome to Chiang Mai!  Though I had thought I knew what I was getting into, it turns out I really had no clue.  After spending 36 hours travelling from Toronto, to Shanghai, to Cheng Du (China), and eating rice for three meals a day, I could barely wait to touch down in Chiang Mai, Thailand and reunite with my husband, Zack.