Since we had a final exam due the day of the infamous full
moon party down in the Islands (which meant we couldn't make it down there in time), our professor decided to take us on a two-night
trip to the Northern Thailand Hippie Town called Pai to make up for it. After a 3 hour van ride
and 762 (ish) turns later, our windy drive left us in probably the coolest
little town I have ever seen. Everything was Rastafarian, small shops and
restaurants lined the streets, and cool old Thai guys with dreadlocks and
tattoos were everywhere. It was awesome! We stayed in these brightly colored
bungalows that overlooked the Pai river. Sami and I loved to sit on our porch
and relax.
Shortly after we arrived and had finished roaming the funky
streets, a group of us decided to take a van to a nearby waterfall. It was
pouring rain and our van driver was going extra slow on the muddy roads, but
eventually we made it. Sam and I jumped in and had a quick swim and then headed
back for dinner.
Exhausted and starving, a few of us decided to stop at a
restaurant that served breakfast all day long. Except it took them an hour and
a half to get out food…and we never even got it!!! And poor Sami had a really
bad tummy ache which didn’t make matters any better. I cancelled my order and
went for street food before we called it a night.
The next day, we ventured with a couple friends who rented
motorbikes to a cool hangout spot called the Jungle Bar. This place was
awesome! It was a couple bamboo huts with hammocks, drinks, and reggae music.
We hung out and enjoyed the scenery for a while and then
decided to go innertubing down the Pai river. For 150 baht, a group of 14 of us each got innertubes, a dry
bag, and the experience of a lifetime. It was so surreal. I had to keep telling
myself that I was floating down a river with great friends in the middle of
THAILAND. It was gorgeous and way too much fun getting stuck on rocks and
branches. After a much needed shower a few of us headed to a burger joint. I am
proud to say that I ordered a crocodile burger… and it was one of the most
delicious burgers I have ever had. I cant really explain the taste but I can
easily say that grilled croc is absolutely amazing!
Afterward, Sami went with me hand in hand to do something
crazy… get my nose pierced! (don’t worry these piercing places were top-notch and
completely sanitary/sterile). I must say a little pain went a long way and I am
loving my nose ring today!! Thanks for holding my hand Sam.
After that we gathered outside our bungalows for some great
live music performed the cool old Thai men previously mentioned. They sang Bob
Marley and the Eagles and were extremely talented! We met a group of Israeli
soldiers who had just finished 3 years of duty and were celebrating in
Thailand. At midnight when the bars opened (it was a Buddhist holiday and no alcohol
was sold until midnight on the last day) we went out and had a ball! Before
leaving, Sami and I got breakfast with our professor and her husband at a place
called The Witching Well. It was so good!! We got toast with balsamic
vinegrette, cheese, tomato, and basil and a side of scrambled eggs. Probably
one of the best breakfasts we have had this whole trip. Finally, it was time to
say goodbye to Pai. But not without homemade green tea gelato in a freshly made
cone. – Kels
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