The only way to get to Pai is by bus or taxi from Chiang Mai. It's about a 3 hour drive - and it's extremely windy. Like, a lot of people take motion sickness pills. I would describe Pai as a very small, hippyish, zen getaway. It's the perfect spot to go to slow down, be in nature, and read a book.
*PS - this is a really small town so there is no Grab cars (Taxi's) - mostly it's by foot or scooter bikes but beware, lots of tourists who rent the bikes you will see walking around bandaged up.
DAY 1
I get to Pai around 5PM, check in, and first I am obsessed with my hotel, Pai Village Boutique Resort. It is so damn cute, I have my own little cottage - totally recommend - and it is walkable to the main (only) strip of restaurant's, bars, and night market.
I walked 5 minutes to the main street, and got stir fry, a nutella crepe and a watermelon slushy from the night market vendors. I only have 1 full day in Pai so I signed up with one of the local tours (also on this street) to see all the main sights, tomorrow.
Day 2
Full day of sightseeing ahead! I am picked up around 10AM and we are off to the Pai Hot Springs. This tour was 400 baht and included transportation to each sight and lunch. Any entrance fee was paid separate.
I've never been to hot springs before so this was cool to experience, basically a natural hot tub. After we stopped by Two Huts Pai, got an awesome mango smoothie and headed to see the White Buddha, and the Chinese Garden. These two sights were fine, but not necessary.
You might be able to tell, the sky is quite foggy. It is what's considered "fire season" in March so there is a lot of burning and air pollution. After we headed to the Mor-Paeng Waterfall, the Bamboo Bridge then Pai Canyon for Sunset.
A lot of the sights were pretty, but I have seen better. I'd recommend Pai for just a chill vibe spot. I met this really cool group of girls visiting from the UK and they let me be apart of their clique for the day. I got back to my hotel and walked around, had dinner, and checked out one of the local bars. I think Pai is perfect if you come for like a romantic getaway - the town is beautiful, the restaurants and bars are all so cute and unique. I did feel like the going out scene was quite young (college) - wasn't for me.
Day 3
I had breakfast and next stop was Bangkok. Mostly a travel day - I had to take the 3 hour bus ride back to Chiang Mai airport and fly to Bangkok.
Accommodation
-Stay 2 Nights, with Breakfast - $132
-Obsessed with this hotel - totally wish I had another day or two just to enjoy the resort. It has beautiful grounds, with a pool, spa, and restaurant. Breakfast also was really good!
Would I go back? If I was with a significant other or a chill friend that wanted too, yes. Otherwise, probably wouldn't make the trek out.
BANGKOK
2 Nights in Bangkok - LET'S GO! I arrive to my hotel, Casa Nithra, around 7PM, get settled and walk to the Khao San Night Market - yup this one is crazy like Phuket. After I get some food, a massage, and check out the gay area, Silom Soi 4 (kind of like a small West Hollywood), then it is off to bed.
DAY 1
I have nothing planned so I just walk towards the Chao Phraya River. Luckily, I stumble upon a Local River Boat tour that takes you to the Floating River Market, and drops you off at the Reclining Buddha (200 baht entry) and The Grand Palace (500 baht entry). The tour was about 1,000 baht and was 90 minutes total (PS - These are all the main sights to see in Bangkok).
All of the sights were cool, and I recommend if you have some time in Bangkok - I did them all super quick - I think I was done sightseeing by this time in the trip lol.
*FYI - They do enforce long pants and covering your shoulders for The Grand Palace. I rented my PIMP outfit nearby.
I wanted to cram as much as I could in this 1 full day I had before I left back to California in the morning - I laid at the hotel pool for a little bit then got ready to get a drink at The Dome at Lebua - infamous for where The Hangover was filmed (PS* you need to wear long pants - had to rent those as well). Bangkok is known for their "sky bars" - so might as well go to the best one.
I got one drink - The Hangovertini - it was $40 USD - quite an expensive drink but the view is worth it. After I headed to see a show, Calypso Cabaret - this was really fun. The girls (ladyboys) are super talented and is a good mix of US Pop and Thai favorites (peep the Rihanna skit below).
And that's a wrap! I ordered a Grab car back to my hotel to pack and get ready for take-off tomorrow.
Accomodation
-2 Nights in a Queen room, $100 (Booked with Hotels.com)
-I guess you get what you pay for? This was my least favorite hotel. It was nice and clean but there was a ton of construction going on right outside, the pool bar was closed, service wasn't that great. It was a place to sleep.
-It is close to the night market, river, Buddha and Grand Palace, which are benefits when sightseeing.
Would I go back? Probably not. Bangkok definitely has this crazy energy to it. It's hot, there's a lot of people, a lot of traffic, it's BIG - so everything is quite far. Plan in advance with extra time! It was probably my least favorite spot. I think going once and seeing the sights is more than enough.
So...where to next?!
Comments