Hello, 2020! I hope to learn a lot from you. I hope to better myself physically, skilfully, emotionally and spiritually. Looking forward to greatness and awesomeness but I really hope to be safe and in good health too. Lez get it 2020!
Moving on, I thought I will be spending my New Year again on the beach but for this year I got to spend it on the mountains (hahaha). I went with my sister and Taylor. Our first stop was Pai in Mae Hong Son Province. It's like Sagada in the Philippines but I love Sagada more. What I love in Pai is it has one of the best natural scenery here in Thailand. Life there is simple and peaceful. If given a chance again, I would love to go back and stay longer. We didn't get to explore all the places. Our accommodation Bueng Pai Farm is a nice place. They had cottages and they grow some vegetables and they have chickens that lay fresh eggs. They didn't have a restaurant but they have a kitchen where you can cook your own food. You can buy the eggs from them, they have free food too.
It's quite far from the center but the place is nice so we didn't really mind the location.
We visited the World War II Memorial Bridge, then we went to Pai Canyon which I didn't get to walk around cuz I was still recovering from my haywire of emotions from driving the motorcycle. It's been my first time driving it again after time immemorial! I know how to drive but I'm not confident enough to drive on a freaking highway with cars and trucks! (cries) plus I'm scared of heights so I didn't get to appreciate the canyon. The next day we decided to rent a private car cuz I am not gonna drive the long and winding road to Tham Lot Cave when we were on our way I was so relieved that Taylor didn't push the motorcycle ride going to the cave because the road was just not for me (hahaha). Tham Lot Cave is the biggest cave here in Thailand.
After the cave, we went to the hot spring which is quite disappointing because it's too small and crowded. To be honest it's not worth the 200 Bhat entrance fee. My sister and Tayor went in for a swim or rather just sat down in the water. Then we head home, rested and went out for dinner.
The next day before heading back to Changmai for New Year we had a last-minute trip to Bamboo Bridge in Pambok Village. It was early in the morning and freakin cold, it was a long drive but I was confident to drive because there were no cars and trucks since it was early and the road to the village has some beautiful scenery, so I enjoyed that drive. I would say Pambok Village is my favorite place in Pai.
Bueng Pai Farm (our accommodation)
Pai Canyon and Memorial Bridge
Thamnamlod Cave
Bamboo Bridge
Chang Mai
My sister really wanted to see the sky lantern and wanted to experience it so we headed back to Changmai. We stayed in this backpacker hostel. We just walked around, visited Doi Suthep (too crowded because it's the day before new year) Went to buy my bag which I have been eyeing for months (heh), we also ate Filipino food in a Filipino restaurant, then we welcomed the new year.
Skye
FYI
The road to Pai is a curve road, might bring some plastic bags just in case you throw up.
Van driver drives so fast that it might get you sick.
We rented a taxi from Changmai to Pai for 2500 Bhat (I'd rather have it again, than ride a van)
Others opted for motorcycle but I'd rather not (hahaha)
We rented a private car for half-day tour in Pai it cost us 1500 Bhat (Hot spring, viewpoint, and Thamnamlod cave)
Thamnamlod Cave entrance fee costs 450 Bhat per 3 people.
Hot spring costs 200 Bhat for Foreigners but since we work here and we can speak Thai we only paid 20 Bhat
Motorcycles cost 100 Bhat for 24 hours, others might cost 150 Bhat depends on the shop.
Bamboo Bridge entrance fee 30 Bhat each person.
Final thoughts:
If given a chance I would love to go back to Pai, stay longer and explore the province of Mae Hong Son. I know there is still much to see and experience there. I am happy to be back in Changmai after 6 years as it was special to me, Changmai is the first place me and my teddy bear Skye traveled together for New Year holiday along with my cousins, since then me and Skye have been to places.
I had a bumpy 2019 I'm glad I get to send it off with good memories I made with my sister and Taylor in Pai and Changmai. My hopes for 2020 is for it to be better in all aspect, not just for me but for everyone and for the world.
"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something." -- Neil Gaiman
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