Pai in the Sky

Yes I did get to see Pai from the sky. At least that is what it felt like after hiking nearly 15 km. straight up! The trek I went on was quite an experience. I am very happy that I did it, but to be honest - I will not be upset if I do not do it again (it will only lead to disappointment :-p).

On the first day me and another 6 backpackers all climbed on to the back of a pickup (backdoor open of course - this is Thailand!) and drove through this windy pass to get to the starting point. The mountains are so green and jagged - For me just surviving the drive was a reason to celebrate. The first day we hiked about 15 km - the last 6 or so done in pouring rain. This lead me to 2 conclusions:

1. The clay here is amazingly similar to that of Georgia. If I would restrict my vision to just the mud then I can almost imagine being at the old Dalrymple house in Atlanta.
   
2. The above is not hard to accomplish at all when the clay has turned into just straight up mud after a downpour and you are falling in it numerous times.

If you did not know - then let me tell you trying to keep your footing when going on a steep down slope in mud aint an easy task my friend! I think the trekking company is just trying to make a world record for longest mud slip-n'slide - and they are using us to create it!

During the first day we stopped at various tribal villages to rest and eat. Basically they were just your average small mountain side village that makes a living off of selling opium to the people who come through. The opium trade is hot and happening in N. Thailand despite the government crackdown. It is not called the golden triangle for nothing! I think it is irresponsible tourism - these villages start to depend on the tourist to buy the drugs so that they can make a living. It puts the village people in danger and keeps them really from looking for jobs and income elsewhere. That is one of the reasons I would not do it again. But then again... this is probably the way it has been done for many many years. Stop now and then they will really be struggling to feed the pigs that live under their houses (no joke - the pig sty is under the house!!)

The second - and less soap boxy reason - is that I finally got to feel the effects of eating questionable food. Talk about bad timing! There might be something worse then being in the middle of nowhere, without plumbing, pouring down rain, thick forest full of god knows what and getting that "when sliding into first and you feel something burst" feeling - but I don't know what it is. Yeah.. 'nough said.

As a result of my weak stomach I decided to cut the trek short by a day. Was it a dry trek the second day - of course not! It is still monsoon season (It probably would have been wise to take this into consideration BEFORE the trek). After a second day of being soaked to the bone, and up and personal encounters with the mud I appreciated a hot shower like never before.

All in all the scenery here is beautiful; really really exquisite. For that reason I am very glad I did the trek - even though my muscles are complaining about it today.

I tried to take today to relax - but I ran into some Canadian girls I met in Bangkok. They had just been bicycling- and offered one of their bikes to me for the afternoon if I wanted. Well - free bike - I was not going to turn that down! I ended up exploring the area a bit more on a mountain bike for a few hours. So now, at the end of the day, not only are my calves, knees, and quads aching... but my butt is unbelievably sore too! Is it going to stop there - goodness no! Tomorrow I am going whitewater rafting for 2 days. Maybe I can get my arms aching too :).

I am rafting down the Pai river - and ending in Mae Hong Son (my next destination). If I do not get out of Pai soon - I feel like I will end of staying here for a few weeks. It just has that type of allure and pull. It is so artsy-fartsy, Mom - you would love it! It is also so laid back with a lot of interesting and nice people, both the backpackers and locals. I am leaving now - but I just might have to come back for a few days on my way back to Chiang Mai.