Leaving Surin, to Chang Mai and now in Pai..
I haven’t written in a while, but have some time now in Pai so thought I better write a little. So I left Surin last Friday, and it was so so sad. I had had such an amazing 3 months there that it was difficult to close that chapter of my life….Luckily when it came to saying goodbye, the office was hectice as Karen had just heard her boyfriend’s flight fron the UK to BKK had been cancelled so it made it easier to kind of slip away. Suger walked Adam and I to the station and she was so sad to see me go. It was so sad as I had spent the last 2 months with Sugar, teaching together at school. taking naps together in theafternoon, eating dinner together, and chatting online wit friends together! I miss her so much, but plan to meet her in BKK for her birthday at the end of the month…
14 hours later (and the journey was pretty good) Adam and I arrived in Chiang Mai. We found a guesthouse, which had been recommended and decided to just enjoy the sunny day exploring the walled city. Chiang Mai has over 300 temples, and we were keen to meanedr around taking in it’s great history. I am not someone who will ever tire of temples, find their beauty and religious significance fascinating, and it’s great that Joey feels the same. We took our time, stopping to paint and sketch when we felt the erge…it was a lovely day. There were lots of monks around as one of the larger temple complexes has a school nearby. Something I will never forget, while I was sat in the shade painting a group of young monks stood and watched me. It was a priceless moment, as usually we are the ones wanted to watch them in their glorious orange robe, and here they were watching me! It was lovely. We also went to ‘Monk Chat’ it’s set up to allow monks to practice their English (or other languages) and also for people to learn about Thailand, it’s religion and culture. It was such a rare treat. We only stayed in Chaing Mai one night then left about 2 the next day. before we left though we went out up the hillside that overlooks the valley. There is a huge (very religious, judging by the amount of Thai people paying their respect and making offerings) temple that has amazing views. It was nice to be up high, although Chaing Mai is a very clean well organised city, it was to feel the cool air that only mountains can provide.
The drive to Pai was unbelievably beautiful! Maybe so because I wasn’t expecting anything like it! I napped the first hour, and was so glad that I woke when I did. I opened my eyes, to be surrounded by gorgeous lushious green jungle. I didn’t expect that we would have to climb so high over thick dense uninhahbited mountains to get to Pai. It wa sone of those journeys where I jsut sit back, and watch the beautiful world go by… Pai is nestled in a bsin that sits in the foothills of the mountainous North of Thailand. We have been here two days now, and I am tempted to knock on the local school to see if they need an English teacher! It reminds me of India. with it’s hippy laid back vibe, chic little cafes and worldy travellers. Its a little piece of paradise for sure, and would make for a lovely romantic honeymoon….We hired bikes yesterday, which was great fun. Winding up the mountains with the fresh cool breeze and amazing views. Being able to stop whenever we wanted to take photos of sketch….On the way back we decided to stop for a coffee at a cute little cafe with a vast view over the paddyfields. Joey wasn’t feeling great so I offered to ride us back..oh my this was a mistake! I had had a try earlier and it was fine. But as I drove off the gravely path onto the main road I gave to much throttle instead of releasing it! We skidded to a hault! It was so scary! Bascially I crashed and was soooo mad at myself ( as I have met so many people that have crashed bikes, and I vowed not to be one of them) well now I am! My first though as I lay on the road with the bike ontop of me was “Joey!! Are you ok!!” he was (THANK HEAVENS!) I picked the bike up and we assesed our injuries. I had grim grazes on both arms and my left hand, and also on my leg and knee (event though I was wearing jeans) The shock prevented me feeling anything at first! Joey rode us back…I couldn’t stop thinking what could have happened, had it been worse! When we got back, I said to joey “I feel sick!” then I nearly passed out! hahah I have never come close to fainting before, so that was also a first (along with my first road accident) Luckily I made it onto Joey’s bed, and lay there laughing! Dam ot culd have been so worse! Luckily also wa that Joey’s injuries weren’t as bad as mine (which kind of felt fair) he has some cuts on his foot. I can probably say I won’t be riding any form of moped ever again!!!!
Today we just chilled out. Pai is so sleepy and laid back this time of year….We played a few games of pool, drank some beer, went for a walk and took a nap. Tomorrow morning we are heading to laos. Our room is basic but comfortable. Live music plays next door which is lovely. If we can’t be bothered to drink, then we can just listen in the comfort of our room! That’s the life hey!?
