We had one full day in Chiang Mai to explore the Old City, the part where we were staying in. Considered part of the Backpacker area. Our guest house was nice and modern, clean and quiet, pretty much all you need for a night or two of travel. Its great to find a place with all those things, plus atmosphere, and then you've really found a place to stay a while. We noticed very quickly that there were alot of older fellows close to our area, and were surprised to see so many, since mainly young folks stay in these parts, but on our way to the famous Chiang Mai Night Market, we soon found out why. There are many, many ladies bars along the street to the Market, as soon as you cross the river out of the Old City. The women did not talk to us at all, in fact one shooed Johanna away when she stepped up on the sidewalk, that was not very nice!! Hee, hee...they have no interest in us stopping by their bars at all! Very entertaining... :) We also noticed an elephant wandering the streets near the bars, with his trainer selling sugar cane for 20 Baht to feed him and take pictures, very sad life for the elephant.
The Highlight of our day was going to the Tiger Kingdom where you could go in with the Tigers, we choose the Large Tigers, all Tigers, large, medium, and baby Tigers all had different prices
. We actually had to sign a wavier, big stuff here in Thailand, I have never signed a waiver for anything! There were 3 trainers in with the Tigers when Johanna and I went in the Gated compound where they were, Im asuming this is because there was a chance of course, that these Tigers could attack for no reason at all, even though all of them were born there, and are considered tame, but they are Tigers, wild animals, and that is just part of their nature, to protect if they feel threatened. There were 4 large Tigers in there at the time. We were instructed to not touch their paws, or their heads ( as if we would!) and they loved their back and bellies rubbed. We actually got to lay with them, and we took pictures of each other, it was so cool, and so intimidating all at the same time!
This morning we took a 3 hour bus ride north to the Hippie Town Pai, in which the Lonely Planet and travelers have warned that the ride is not for people who suffer motion sickness because of the high climb , and the 762 sharp curves in the road,,,Yeah! I am one to suffer from this sickness ( Sara you are still the best est friend ever!) so I rushed to the bus to grab a seat towards the front..( early bird gets the worm they say!) and being up front is suppose to help the comfort of the ride. I also took some Dramamine, and even though that stuff wipes you out, it did help and I enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the ride up without losing my breakfast..:)
There was a girl on our bus we think had some special mushrooms in her omelet that morning, because she was extra happy, and this Hippie town is known for some happy people.
Our guest house house is called The Sun Hut, and the rooms are named after the Zodiac signs. Our bungalow is really cute, and has a deck and a hammock and a great chill zone with mats and mellow music to enjoy on a laid back night in Pai. We are planning to stay for 3 days, and have no plans at all ....
762 curves in the Road to Pai...
Friday, January 22, 2010
Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Comments

2025-02-10
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Iris Steinman
2010-01-23
Hi Beth,
I am jeallous. I love northern Thailand and have not been in a couple of years. The first time we were in Pai was in 1987, it was completely different then. Thanks for always sharing your adventures, I love seeing you travel to all those places.
elizacass
2010-01-23
Hi Iris! I bet Pai has changed alot since you were here , I wish I could of seen it then! Its still a very cute town, very charming!
ning le moine
2010-01-23
Can't wait to visit my folks. Thank you for sharing.
princess
marina
2010-01-24
Put a tiger in your tank, Kellogg's Tony the Tiger. I am thinking of all the tiger connections inc. the famous golfer who is really a lion cheetah. I think you have your holiday foto!!!! Not to mention more Beth's Animal Kingdom shots. Pai looks fab-worth the ride. Soooo happy all is going so well and Johana is fiiting right in. We survived one whole week of storms. Massage School is amazing so far. It is truly like learning a new language-Greek and Latin.xoxoxo