Labor Day Holiday to Chiang Mai and Pai and Scout for Hash


Chiang Mai was enjoyable the first time we visited in November 2023.  So, we decided to visit again for the May holiday.  While Chiang Mai is fun, the little town of Pai is the peak of relaxation.  Pai is 3hrs from Chiang Mai via a winding mountainous road.  On May 1st we took the ferry to HKIA and departed at close to 1pm after some minor delays due to weather and air traffic congestion.  After a short layover in Bangkok we flew to Chiang Mai where we arrived shortly after 7pm.  I had arranged an airport transfer and this time it all went smoothly.  We checked into the Empress Premier, which is the same hotel we stayed in last time.  Faye took some time to freshen up after our full day of travel and I went to get some herb. 


I made a toad friend on the walk back. 


We ordered room service and went to bed right away since we were both exhausted from the day of travel.


The next morning we woke up and checked out before our ride came to take us to Pai.  

The trip to Pai was relatively uneventful.  We stopped once to use the toilet and get snacks and continued on our way only stopping once more to take in the views.


March-early May is the slash and burn season in northern Thailand (as well as neighboring Laos and Myanmar).  This is the time during which farmers burn their fields to clear away old crops, any plants that sprang up in their fields, and forests.  The result is a thick smokey haze that fills the entire region.  We could smell and see the smoke (which is visible in the photo above) but it was not as bad as we had expected considering the air quality reports indicating that the PM2.5 levels were high.  Fortunately we both brought air filtration masks.  

When we arrived at our hotel in Pai we were immediately dazzled by the beauty of the town and the hotel in which we were staying.  The Pai Village Boutique Resort is the highest rated hotel in the area and for good reason.  The place is a hippy haven.  With a mind easing chorus of birds and frogs filling the natural splendor of mountains, forests, canyons, and waterfalls it was impossible to hold on to any worries or stress. 








On May 3rd we took a tour.  We had the pleasure of having a private tour to the local Big Buddah Statue, Mor Pang Waterfall, Koh Ku So Bamboo Bridge, and Pai Canyon.  We returned to the hotel for a bit for a nap before going to Two Huts Pai to watch the sunset. 









































After the sunset we went and enjoyed the nightlife in Pai. 



The next day we checked out of our hotel and explored Pai a little more.  We mostly just enjoyed a walk around town with a stop at a weed farm, a tea shop, and some boutique stores. 









We left Pai in the afternoon and took the long trip back to Chiang Mai via a private transfer arranged by the hotel. 

Our next hotel was Pleasant Condominium Chiang Mai which I chose because it was a bit closer to the airport and had a free airport shuttle service. 

I took a nap and then we walked around a bit and got dinner before calling it a night.











We got a lovely breakfast the next morning at a restaurant called The Hideaway before checking out and going to the airport.  



We got back late at night and ended up getting to sleep very late.  The good news, although both of us had to work Monday, neither of us had to work very hard.  Faye managed to skirt by with minimal effort and for me, since it is AP exam week, I barely worked. 

This weekend I scouted a trail for the hash with a friend.  We checked out Maluan Mountain in Dameisha and took a swim in a waterfall. 

We will lay this trail on June 1st and I am considering getting a room in the Intercontinental Dameisha Hotel for that weekend just to make things easier and to relax by the beach. 



















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