yimlfc - Tumblr blog

yimlfc · 7 years ago

Text

Day 4: (Mad)Road

Today I took some craziness with me to ride a free bike while bearing my huge backpack again in order to get to the bus station. I knew my back was fully covered by my sweat and that’s a sign pushing me fast forward.

This late morning was hot and tiring enough to put me to sleep. I got myself a traditional northern food called “Khao Soi” for breakfast.

While having my meal, I was going through google to figure out where I should go either a hippie town, Pai, or downtown of Mae Hong Son. Yet, I hadn’t made any decision before so I needed to do it right away as I was about to leave Chaing Mai. Well…One thing I forgot to tell you guys previously was my mom called me, probably a night before, and said she would love to join me in Mae Hong Son so I was like “Okay mom if you would love to…😉”

(In all actuality, I asked my parents about the trip but they were kind of busy and hadn’t confirmed yet, plus, none of my close friends was free as they already had their list to be done. So what should I do if I’m about to run out of time for holidays but I really want to go out? The answer is shaking off my fear, don’t give a hoot and go somewhere)

After weighing my preference, I ended up going to Pai. Later on, I walked into the station to buy a ticket and let my mom know we’re going to meet up in Pai. All too often, there was merely one seat left in the last row of a van. Felt like I won a lottery…

762 curves to Pai…

Let’s eat before you don’t feel like eating anything anymore

As I heard the reputation of the route from Chiang Mai to Pai, first off, I thought I could easily handle it because I didn’t think I would get car sick but when it came to hundreds of curves, my thought was quickly changed.

I started to get dizzy right after we finished everything at the pit stop (1.5 hrs away from the bus terminal) The driver drove a little bit fast as he got used to the route very well but that extremely made me feel uncomfortable, particularly when I was about to fall asleep and then my head hit against the window over and over again because he took a turn.

pray for me…

Actually, I must say this was kinda nice and fun ride due to a beautiful greenery and the challenging curves along the way.

Van company: Prempracha Lenght: 3-4 hours Price: 150 THB Pick up spot: Chiang Mai Provincial Arcade Bus Terminal

The driver dropped us off at the company’s office located on Pai walking street. I felt so relieved that I was still alive…

I got a grip and started to find out where the nearest bike rental shop was. It was not that hard to find one because there were pretty much in this little town. Eventually, I got a pink zoomer x to travel with me this time.

let’s gooooooo!!!

but wait where is my hostel…

I stood gawkily in front of the shop for a few minutes then the staff asked me where I wanted to go. I showed him a google map and he handed me a paper map back and explained the track…10 minutes later I was finally at the hostel.

I booked a bed at Spicy Pai backpackers for one night stay. Adorable rice paddies, beautiful scenery, and lovely style architecture were the reason why I chose this place. But I unexpectedly got some extra giveaways which were nice staffs and cool friends.

I settled down in my dorm room for a while to rest a little bit and make a plan for today. One bed was already occupied which belonged to Lauren, my one and only roommate, she’s a cool British girl who quits her job to travels and does the volunteer works in Thailand and Asia. Really awesome

Well back to my plan…my first stop was “Pai Canyon”. This place is about 8km far from downtown along the road to Chiang Mai. After I parked my bike, I had to walk up around 5-10 mins to reach the top. I pretty enjoyed a panoramic view up there, a light breeze made me feel better under the afternoon sunlight and the nature trails are quite awesome and challenging. I tried to lean out just to see how deep the valley was then I had to pull myself back at once. It’s not that much high but it’s still dangerous since there is no safety bar and the trails are somewhat slippery, Unfortunately, I couldn’t venture more tracks as I carelessly stumbled over a rock or something and almost slipped (my heart fell into my feet in split second) Plus, I wore sandals which were not suitable for trekking at all so I decided to move to the next spot.

Entrance fee: There is no entrance fee Car park: Available Tips: bring proper shoes and water

Driving only 2 km away from the Canyon, I arrived at “Pai memorial bridge”. This antique bridge offers the story of WWII and became a famous landmark that everyone always makes a visit. There was nothing much to see actually so I just took a short walk through the bridge and again, I always did something clumsily, for this time, I almost lost my phone as I dropped it while taking a photo.

Next up, I dropped by for making merit and praying for my trip again at “Wat Pharthatjomjang”. I needed to walk upstairs to see the relic and there was merely me up there. I got my mind off for a moment and continued my journey again.

Regardless of a mishap, I had so much fun wandering around Pai. My next destination was “Kho-Kuu-So bamboo bridge”. I planned to watch the sunset right there but little did I know that there were big mountains surrounded the area that meant it was not a great location to catch the sunset at all.

Before I’m going to tell you how lovely this place is, I’d love to give you some suggestions, just in case you want to make a visit.

Make sure you can cope with a bumpy road and riding up the mountains. As I read the reviews before that it was a bit difficult to access the bridge but once I reached there, it was definitely worth it.

Spare some time for beautiful landscapes. You might be attracted unawares by nice scenery like I was.

Don’t expect much especially when you go there during the dry season.

Eventually, I made it to the bridge. The place itself was absolutely tranquil in the late afternoon like this and even though I came here during the dry season and the sun nearly went down, it was still beautiful with the yellow and brown rice fields. This is a real getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Moreover, I’d like to say it’s a great place where you can give yourself a break. I spent some time sitting on the bridge and taking the full scenery, also let my mind wander and left everything behind for a moment.

Entrance fee: There is no entrance fee Car park: Available Facilities: A small coffee shop Tips: Don’t jump or run on the bridge

On the way back to the town, I pulled over again to capture a beautiful twilight. Darkness gradually came so I was a little bit struggling on the road due to my motorbike light which was not working.

My last stop of the day was “Pai walking street” where you can enjoy the authentic taste of Thai street food. This place is well known as a nice spot to hang out or spend a nightlife. Normal streets were turned into bustling ones at a nighttime. There are a lot of bars, cafes, restaurants and several stalls which offer many kinds of unique local foods and drinks, also lovely souvenirs, and handicrafts all the way along the street. This night market was set up around 4pm to 10pm every day along Chaisongkran and the northern end of Rungsiyanon Road.

Spring roll is not a bad choice, isn’t it?

Khai pam; a simple dish made from eggs cooked in banana leaf

Indeed, my first night here didn’t pass by easily. Firstly, I have to say I used to be a big fan of ice-cold weather but ever since I’ve been to Sapa, I kicked my self out of it. Tonight I had to drive through the coldness back to my hostel and it was such a real torture. I didn’t expect it was gonna be this cool as I brought only a thin sweater with me before the plan was changed to Pai.

But the real savageness just started. It happened while I was taking a shower. A water heater abruptly didn’t work when I needed to rinse my body. Back then, I was like…Could anything be this worse? I decided to wrap my self in a towel and quickly changed to another bathroom but seemed like tonight was not my night for real because there was no heater in that room!!! 😫 …so I went back to the previous one and waited for a moment until the machine started working again.

After getting through an amazing bathtime, I still had to face up to a freezing night. The more I tried to keep myself warm under the blanket, the more I felt so cold. I must say tonight was rough and all I could do was only praying for the sun to come up earlier…lol

Long night ahead of me but I will survive…

Day 5: Pang-Ung is calling

I had a plan trekking to a waterfall this morning so I woke up very early because I was concerning about the time. I had to return my bike around 2pm and the trek took about 5-6 hours long. It would be perfect if I started by now but I couldn’t even pull myself out of the blanket as I got a fever so things I could do were just taking a medicine and had a wasting-time activity – sleeping – a little bit longer to get better and to let the temperature outside get higher, so I could go out and explore the town again.

Look! someone just stole my bed

I woke up again after feeling better. This morning I no longer wanted to drive because I realized how cold it was out there but I was hungry so I had no choice. The coldness engulfed me again while driving and my hands started getting numb, yet, I wasn’t gonna give up for sure. People need food, you know, right? Finally, I got myself a simple meal; porridge rice and Chinese donuts. It was still cold out here but a warm and delicious dish could help a lot.

I was thinking about today’s plan and it turned out to be no plan. Since my trekking was canceled so I had no idea where to go. I finished my meal and was about to wander around. The sun was fully shining and now I could feel the warmth and that made me felt much better to drive again.

My no plan led me to nowhere. I saw a sign of “Tha Pai hot springs” so I followed a course until I reached the destination. You just pay 50THB for an entrance and enjoy a natural hot spring as long as you want. I went on a walkabout in the area and soaked up the warmth. The trail is a circle so you can easily enjoy the entire hot springs. There are bathrooms and changing room right there so don’t worry if you want to dip in a pool.

Entrance fee: 50THB (not sure about the vehicle entrance fee) Car park: Available Facilities: Bathroom, Campground, Restaurant Tips: Beware the heat and follow the rule

I stopped by at a few spots along the way back. I would say I had such a great time here and Pai really got my heart even though many people said this little town had been changed a lot. yeah…I couldn’t agree more but at least there’s still an aura of nature that embraces this peaceful town.

My mom had called me by the time I was back in town seeking a place to sit back. We finished everything-motorbike&stuff and then had lunch together. My parents looked so excited being here as I could see my dad bragged about how much he enjoyed hundreds of curves to Pai.

Khao-soi

Sai Aua (Northern Thai Spicy Sausage)

Aside from taking my parents around the town, today we were heading off to Pang-Ung. The scenic way to Pang-Ung was incredibly beautiful, plus a clear blue sky really brightened up this journey. We sometime stopped by a roadside and a viewpoint where we could enjoy picturesque views and the sea of mountains. Unfortunately, I felt slightly unwell because of my fever was getting higher again so it wasn’t such a pleasant journey like I expected.

However, I was not gonna let anything separate me from the beauty of this journey. We decided to go to “The Bamboo Bridge of Faith and Success: Su Tong Pae” as we realized we had plenty of time left before the sunset.

Once you park a car, you first have to follow a wooden bridge until you walk past the temple then go downstairs, the path will take you to the bamboo bridge in the end. I considered this place as one of the hidden treasures in Mae Hong Son. If you love the serenity, I would definitely recommend this one.

Normally, this bridge was daily used by monks and villagers here. It is 500 meters long across rice fields and the Mae Sa Nga River to link the temple at one end with the village of Kung Mai Saak at the other.

Obviously, the place was completely quiet. There were merely my family and a few people down here and it was such a real privacy that I’d been longing for. We spent 1hr enjoy the gentle late afternoon sunlight which shining perfectly especially when it shone down on the fields. Afterward, we walked up back to the car and continued heading out to Pand Ung again.

The higher we drove up to Pang Ung, the darker we only could see. We heard the sound like a gunshot from time to time while driving and we were wondering what it actually was but we didn’t think much of it so we still kept driving. When we drove past the village, another car coming down from the other side but the road wasn’t wide enough to let 2 cars pass by so we had to draw in a sideway. Suddenly, we felt like we fell into a small hole and then we heard the sound again, this time was louder like we bumped into something. We immediately got out off the car and checked all the way under and around it. We found absolutely nothing but only a scratch on a shoulder so we guessed it was probably a root cause of a strange sound. My dad thoroughly checked the car again to make sure we could keep going to our destination safely. Luckily, nothing was damaged. A local guy came and helped us checking everything. I guess he’s a member of a group that looks after the tourists and I don’t wonder why there is a thing like this due to a steep road.

One thing we could see and that already clarified the gunshot sound we heard before was “the moon”. We totally forgot that there was a lunar eclipse today and it was a special one called “Super blue blood moon”. This natural phenomena refers to a belief of some group of people that they have to shoot straight up into the sky to shove Rahu away.

We started moving again and finally arrived at the homestay complex “Baan Ruam Thai”. The complex/village was just right in front of Pang Ung. There are also other choices for visitors. First, you can rent or take your own tents as there is a beautiful campsite by the lake. Second, if you prefer something more comfortable, chalets near the lake were provided for you as well.

At that time, we just walked in for a room. We paid only 1000-1500THB for three people and we got a lovely small hut in a homestay area and this one was within a walking distance to the lake and through the village. The price was so cheap but the only disadvantage was “no water heater”. It was not going to be a big deal if you are here during summer but during winter…I guess Queen Elsa may come for you…like she comes for me

Accommodation: Jing Homestay Tel: 0806779169

A struggle was real again. I had to fight against my sickness and the x2 coldness over there but whatever, I still had fun anyway.

We had a pretty long ride all day and it was time for dinner. The restaurant was right beside our homestay. We ordered a big meal and enjoy it to the fullest.

Day 6: Beyond the beauty

Pang Ung or “Pangtong2” is one of the Royal Initiative projects by HM Queen Sirikit for highland development.

I got through this freezing night and woke up before the sunrise. Queen Elsa came say hi to me all night long until the morning lol

We walked through the cold until we saw the lake. The sun slightly came out so I could see everything clearer. The mist was spectacularly coming up above the lake. A light wind blew and spread it out like a real heaven. Sunlight was shining through pine forest, also to the water and was creating a naturally beautiful reflection. Everything was a perfect combination for this breathtaking scenery and it was such a priceless moment.

The stunning view in front of me got me speechless. My heart was exhilarating and I was very excited seeing something like this. I must say although it was a bit tricky to reach this place, it was absolutely worth the effort!!!

(click a photo to view a full-size picture)

After spending a quality time around the lake, we went back to the village searching for breakfast. Lung Pala Guest House & Homestay was a place where we were going to have a tasty meal today. There are a variety of dishes with an acceptable price. The ambiance was so fine especially an innermost small shed which was perfect for chilling out and impressing a lush nature.

Entrance fee: There is no entrance fee Car park: Available Tips: 1) Drive carefully 2) Make sure you book a room to stay in advance especially on holidays

Later on, we checked out and drove further North to the next destination called “Baan Rak Thai”. This place is best known for nice views and tea cultivation. I’m not gonna say this is a must since I see it’s just fine. Nothing’s special or outstanding. Probably, my expectation is too high. However, it’s still a good place to catch up and spend some time chill out by the lake.

The time had come and we almost had to say goodbye to this trip. We made a short stop at a few places including a viewpoint while traveling homeward. “KAREN LONG NECK VILLAGE” was one of interesting places to make a visit in Mae Hong Son. We were right at the entrance then had to walk a little bit downhill to the village. The picture I imagined was pretty much different from reality. It was a place set up as a market. Each stall sells almost the same kind of stuff such as fabric, handicraft, postcard, magnet, and jewelry. Nevertheless, the vendors, who are Karen, are super friendly and willing to answer what you’re curious about their cultures or neck rings but make sure not to ask a too much personal question.

In short, the overall was not bad and it was such a good experience having a chance visited this place. I was happy to open my world and see something new and unique like this in Thailand.

Last but not least, I’m so thankful to each and every one who helps me through this trip. I truly wanted to prolong my holidays but I know it’s impossible. Even though it was just six days, I’ve gained a lot of valuable experiences from this journey and also realized that “if I put my dreams on hold for somebody else, I will probably never have a chance to do it, and it the end, I will only regret the chance I didn’t take”

Chiang Mai & Mae Hong Son, see you down the road!

Don’t forget to check out my latest video click here

Getaway [Thailand 2018]: Mae Hong Son ep.2 Day 4: (Mad)Road Today I took some craziness with me to ride a free bike while bearing my huge backpack again in order to get to the bus station.

0 notes