#chiangmaitopai

[thailandeventguide]

Motorbike rentals are a convenient and cost-effective way to get around the city and explore a beautiful motorbike route. Thailand motorbike gives you some insight into the do's and don'ts in the city of angels and when renting a bike upcountry. Exploring Bangkok on two wheels is an exciting way to experience the city. This Thailand motorbike guide provides an overview of motorbike rental options in Bangkok, including information on rental costs, safety considerations (wearing a helmet), and tips for a successful rental experience.   Thailand Motorbike Guide Tips to use your motorbike well-prepared. Rental Costs Motorbike rentals in Bangkok are generally very affordable. Most rental companies charge around 200-300 baht daily, with discounts available for longer rentals and higher prices for big bike rentals. Some companies also offer hourly rates, which can be an excellent option for short trips. Safety Considerations When renting a motorbike in Bangkok, it is essential to consider safety. Wear a helmet and other protective gear, such as gloves and long pants. It is also vital to be aware of the local traffic laws and to drive defensively. Tips for a Successful Rental Experience When renting a motorbike in Bangkok, it is crucial to choose a reputable company. Make sure to read reviews and ask questions before making a decision. Inspecting the bike before renting it is also essential to ensure it is in good condition. Finally, bring your passport or another form of identification when renting a motorbike. Exploring Bangkok on two wheels is a great way to experience the city. With the right rental company and safety precautions, motorbike rentals can be a convenient and cost-effective way to get around. This Thailand motorbike guide provides an overview of motorbike rental options in Bangkok, including information on rental costs, safety considerations, and tips for a successful rental experience.   The Best Motorbike Routes in Thailand for Adventure Seekers   Here are some Thailand Motorbike Guide tips to enrich your driving journey around Thailand. Thailand is a paradise for motorbike riders, offering some of the most stunning and thrilling routes in the world. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a novice, there's something for everyone. Here are some of the best motorbike routes in Thailand for adventure seekers.   The Mae Hong Son Loop is one of the most popular routes in Thailand. This loop takes you through some of the country's most beautiful and remote parts, including the mountainous region of Mae Hong Son. You'll pass through lush jungles, stunning waterfalls, and traditional hill-tribe villages along the way. The route is approximately 600 kilometres long and takes around four days to complete.   The Chiang Mai to Pai route is another popular choice for motorbike riders. This route takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in Thailand, including the Mae Hong Son loop. Along the way, you'll pass through lush jungles, spectacular waterfalls, and traditional hill-tribe villages. The route is approximately 130 kilometres long and takes around four hours to complete.       The Phuket to Krabi route is excellent for a more challenging ride. This route takes you through some of the most rugged and remote parts of Thailand, including the stunning limestone cliffs of Krabi. Along the way, you'll pass through lush jungles, spectacular waterfalls, and traditional hill-tribe villages. The route is approximately 250 kilometres long and takes around six hours to complete.   The Bangkok to Chiang Mai route is great for those looking for a more relaxed ride. This route takes you through some of Thailand's most beautiful and peaceful parts, including the ancient city of Chiang Mai. You'll pass through lush jungles, stunning waterfalls, and traditional hill-tribe villages along the way. The route is approximately 700 kilometres lo

ng and takes around eight hours to complete.   No matter your route, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience. So, if you're an adventure seeker looking for a fantastic motorbike ride, Thailand is the perfect destination.   How to Stay Safe While Riding a Motorbike in Bangkok   Bangkok is a bustling city with a vibrant culture and a large population. It is also a popular destination for motorbike riders. While riding a motorbike in Bangkok can be an enjoyable experience, it is essential to take safety precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. Thailand Motorbike Guide tips to help you stay safe while riding a motorbike in Bangkok   Wearing a Helmet: Wearing a helmet is the most important safety precaution you can take when riding a motorbike in Bangkok. Helmets protect from head injuries in the event of an accident. Make sure your helmet fits properly and is in good condition. Follow Traffic Rules: Bangkok has a complex network of roads and traffic rules. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the traffic rules before you start riding. Obey all traffic signals and signs, and always give way to other vehicles. Be Visible: Make sure you are visible to other drivers. Use your headlights and turn signals to alert other drivers of your presence. Wear bright clothing and use reflective materials to make yourself more visible. Avoid Distractions: Distracted driving is a significant cause of accidents. Keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid using your phone or other electronic devices while riding. Be Prepared: Ensure your motorbike is in good condition before riding. Check the brakes, tires, and lights to ensure they work correctly. Carry a first aid kit and a spare tire in an emergency.   By following these Thailand motorbike guide tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable ride while riding a motorbike in Bangkok. Always wear a helmet, obey traffic rules, be visible, avoid distractions, and be prepared. The Pros and Cons of Owning a Motorbike in Bangkok     Owning a motorbike in Bangkok can be a great way to get around the city, but it also has some drawbacks. This article will discuss the pros and cons of owning a motorbike in Bangkok. Thailand Motorbike Guide Pros The primary benefit of owning a motorbike in Bangkok is convenience. Motorbikes are much more manoeuvrable than cars, making them ideal for navigating the city's narrow streets and heavy traffic. Motorbikes are also much cheaper to purchase and maintain than cars, making them a more affordable option for those on a budget. Additionally, motorbikes are more fuel-efficient than cars so you can save money on gas. Cons The primary downside of owning a motorbike in Bangkok is safety. Motorbikes are much more vulnerable to accidents than cars, and the city's roads can be dangerous. Additionally, motorbikes are more prone to theft than cars, so you should take extra precautions to protect your bike. Finally, motorbikes are not allowed on some of the city's expressways, so you may have to take a longer route to get to your destination. Owning a mobile machine in Bangkok is a convenient way to get around the city, but it also comes with some risks. Before deciding to purchase a motorbike, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully.   https://thailandeventguide.com/thailand-motorbike-guide-prepares-for-a-good-ride/?feed_id=1501&_unique_id=63de64e536c76

[veganvagabond88]

The Road to Pai

Id heard a lot of good and bad about Pai, some say its like the south but without the beaches, some compare it to Bangkok Khao San road. I was keen to find out for myself and to have a change up from Chiang Mai, as lovely as Chiang Mai is we have been there a couple of weeks now so we wanted to explore some other parts of Northern Thailand.

The mini van picked us up from our hostel around 9am, after making a few pickups for other travellers around the town we were on our way and began the 3.5 journey to Pai. The cost of the bus was 170THB (around £4)

If you get car sick or are scared of winding roads up mountains then maybe take a sleeping pill  haha. It was definitely a bit of a dodgy ride, it even made my stomach flip a few times and I’m usually pretty good with things like that. We stopped off a couple of times for a loo break and for a lunch time stop where you can buy cooked food, coffees, shakes, snacks etc.

As we drove further away from Chiang Mai we were met by the great beauty of mountainous rainforest. I could now see why people want to come to Pai. We arrived at the Purple Monkey Backpackers in the afternoon, we had a little hut which just has a double bed in and a small fan, basic but nice. We then took a walk into the town to look around. The main walking street is made up of many quirky eateries and coffee shops, as well as Bohemian type clothes and souvenir shops. Already I loved it.

Our little hut....right next to the loo though :-|

After finding our bearing's we tried to rent a scooter, this proved some what difficult it was really busy in Pai so a lot of the rental places were empty or only had crappy scooters which in our opinion were not road worthy at all, we tried one but the breaks were no good so we took it back and decided to wait till the next day to get something a bit safer.

We found a cute place to stay for the next few nights across the river, although the first place was ok it was a typical backpacker place, a bit too noisy and not really that clean, and overpriced for what it was. We stumbled across the Pai Loiss resort which is made up of huts similar to what we stayed in the first night but bigger and cleaner with a decking area and hammock, this was paradise! The lady here was lovely to, so friendly and helpful id definitely recommend staying here as it was only 300THB which included complementary tea, coffee and toast with marmalade in the mornings.

A much better and bigger hut with a hammock :)

We failed the next day to get a scooter again so we decided to rent push bikes haha, I haven't rode a bike in years so was a bit worried but it was ok, the cost of renting a bike everywhere is 50THB for 24 hours which isn't too bad, the bikes are not the best but they will get you from A to B. We set off out of the main part of town to explore the surroundings and to also check out a Muay Thai gym that id heard was good, Charn Chai. The gym was open plan and the trainers seemed nice so we decided we would train there the next day. Afterwards we ventured into a tiny village which was lovely, no westerners just us on our creaky bikes on dirt path which ran between rows of little houses and huts. This was the best way to see the countryside of Northern Thailand, we were surrounded by rice paddy and farming fields. We checked out a Wat which is on the way to the Chinese village which was cool. We then headed back to the main town before stopping off at a little shack where we bought a fresh coconut to drink and some freshly picked tomatoes.

We finally found a relatively good road worthy scooter and drove around to explore some more, we rode out of the town and rode along the winding roads that ran between mountainous green landscape. We stopped at some hot springs which were a bit of a disappointment, I think these particular ones had been abandoned as it was littered with rubbish and carcasses of birds which had been cooked in the hot springs! It was pretty disgusting. I think it must have been a failed tourist venture as I could see that it could have been nice, but obviously the other hot springs on the other side of Pai must be the place to go. (book a day tour that takes you to the main springs and other attractions, this was around 500THB, we didn't do this but know a few people who did and said it was worth it.)

Pretty disgusting to let something get like this, it could be really lovely

We stopped off on the main road into Pai to check out the memorial bridge, this was built by the Japanese during the second world war to transport weapons and provisions to Burma. They needed it as a route from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son to attack Burma, which at the time was a colony of the United Kingdom. The bridge was built over the Pai River in 1941 using elephants to drag trees from the jungle and enslaving the local villagers to work for them. After the war the Japanese left and callously burnt the bridge down. This left the locals in despair as the bridge was very important to their daily life so they rebuilt the wooden bridge over the Pai River to maintain their way of living. Its a good place to stop if your passing there are a few touristy shops and a couple of coffee shops which is nice for a break. We met a Canadian Couple and Irish couple who were doing a similar journey to us and shared our stories from the past couple of months which was nice.

We didn't stop long before heading back towards Pai to visit the impressive Pai Canyon. This is definitely worth your time as it is a beautiful natural attraction with lovely nature walks in its surroundings. We did this around 5pm to catch the sunset and it was amazing. The geological features are pretty stunning and unique as it has been formed by continuous erosion over decades before reaching its current condition. The carved narrow walkways have steep 30 metres deep cliff drops and a series of narrow walkways cut into the ridges of the massive rock walls that wind in and out into the heavily forested valley. Along the trail you can freely climb up and down the rock faces which is pretty cool and gives you a little adrenaline rush, but be careful where you tread especially along the narrow paths as it can be quite dangerous, one missed step and you could fall down into the deep valley.

Take trainers as the canyon is pretty narrow and not exactly safe as the ground is very sandy and unstable. We were only here an hour or so but you could easily spend at least a few, exploring the twists and turns of the trail, and taking in the magnificent panoramic views of Pai.

On the edge

We debated doing a day tour to visit all of the attractions as it was only 500THB but decided against this as we had a scooter plus a tour would be pretty rushed. We picked the things we wanted to do and made our own way to the attractions.

The next morning we got up early and trained at Charn Chai. It was great to get back into some gloves and kick again. I haven't trained properly for over a year now so it was quite alien at first and I’ve lost all conditioning in my legs haha. I had some pretty nasty welts come up on my shins by the end of the 2 hour session, but it was worth it and made me realise how unfit I am. Definitely a wake up call to get back into it as I really miss it. The class was quite big but there are quite a few trainers working with everyone which is good, you get to do some one on one pad work which was fun but pretty gruelling especially in the heat. Id recommend going here even if you have never done it before as they cater for all levels and will teach you right from the basics of how to stand and positioning etc. The cost of this was 300THB a session. A lot of people there were doing a training camp so you stay for a week or two and train twice a day. Id love to do this but because our visa expires on the 1st of February we don't have time. Hopefully ill get to do this when we visit the South of Thailand. We headed back to our resort for a well needed shower and some breakfast.

Relaxing, i really want a hammock when we get home now :)

We had a ride out of the main town which passes a few elephant riding camps, this was pretty upsetting to see them chained up at the side of the road, so we swiftly moved on. Id heard of a place called the Pai Tree House so we decided to check it out. Its actually a pretty pricey looking resort made up of luxurious villas but it has a tree house in the centre of its beautiful gardens (hence the name). Id say its worth a visit if your passing for a break, there are a few shaded picnic areas and a coffee shop (which wasn't open at the time) you can walk down to the river which has a bamboo bridge to the other side however there's nothing over there just some trees. I think they must run Elephant riding tours as we witnessed an elephant coming through the gardens carrying some Chinese tourists. The trainer had a mahout (which is used to dig into the side of the elephants head to control it) he quickly tossed this aside when he saw Ben taking photos. The elephant looked at us with such sadness in its eyes I had to keep walking as its too upsetting.

Other than that the gardens were pretty and we spent around an hour there taking some photos before moving on.

Messing around taking cheesy pics

Afterwards we stopped at a great cafe called “Earth Tone” they have an amazing selection of vegan cakes so of course I had to have one. I tried the Banoffee Pie which was so good and also had a very healthy smoothie! Not a “fruit shake” which are sold everywhere in Thailand. Id avoid these as they are basically ice with a little bit of fruit and a shit load of sugar. So if you do order a fruit shake try to order without ice and more fruit if they understand you.

Opposite Earth Tone is the entrance to the Giant White Buddha other wise known as Temple on the hill (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) this is a few km’s away from the main part of Pai. It is still under construction but is still worth climbing the 300 plus stairs up to the top to take in the views of Pai. The Buddha itself is pretty impressive and gigantic as you can see in the photos. You can see it nestled into the hills from miles away, so its pretty easy to find.

Started to feel pretty knackered, it was a busy day training for a couple of hours then out on the scooter all day before finishing off with a big climb up to the Buddha. We went back to our resort for a nap before going out to visit the amazing night market that Pai has on every day!. The food here is crazy good, so many options for vegans to, nearly every stall has something wonderful and delicious to offer, its hard not to try everything that I come across. We had the best dinner I’ve had in a long time. A Burmese salad roll, this was something completely new to me and oh my god it was amazing. The lady made each one to your individual preference, I had mine with added avocado. So many flavours wrapped into one!, it was like a giant rice spring roll cut into several bite sized pieced, decorated with numerous toppings and a tasty dressing served on a banana leaf, as well as tasting delicious, the care into the presentation made this one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

This man at the night market made rings from coins and engraved them, I had Pai written in Thai on my one! i love it 

When we arrived in Pai we wasnt sure if we would like it as much as Chiang Mai, there seemed to be a different vibe here and it was a lot more touristy, however after a few days we loved it and ended up booking another night at the huts.

The huts have a coffee area which was nice to sit down in the shade

Bamboo bridge that lead to the huts

The Lod Caves

We set off to go to the Lod Caves on the Saturday morning, this is also included in one of the tours but we wanted to visit on our own so we could have as much time as we wanted. The caves are quite far away, it took around 2 hours but its well worth the trip. We underestimated how cold it would be though, the route to the caves snakes through winding valleys between the mountains so the sun is not always on you. Be sure to bring a jacket and trousers if you are going on a scooter, however the scenery is beautiful so it is well worth the ride.

As you approach the caves you are met by quaint little villages which is really pretty. The caves are pretty hidden from the entrance so I was sceptical about how good they were going to be. Entrance fee is 150THB per person in a minimum group of 3, so luckily we found a young solo traveller called Sam who was at the ticket office. You cant enter the caves alone you have to go in with a guide, which is fair enough. We walked into a forest like area to get to the start of the cave. It was huge! And showed so many different and interesting rock formations. There are some impressive stalagmites and stalactites here and a lot of rock formations that look like animals as the guide pointed out. We had quite a good guide who told us a little bit about parts of the caves, she held a kerosene lamp throughout the trip however id suggest taking a torch as well as it would have been cool to shine it up high to see what ever else was there. There must be thousands of bats in there we could hear them as we took the bamboo raft through part of the cave, I also was treated to some bat shit which landed on me haha. Besides that it was really cool experience and reminded me of something out of the Lord of The Rings. There are also heaps of huge carp in there (you can buy food for the fish at the entrance). Ive visited quite a few caves over the years but these have to top them all, definitely visit them and if you can stay for a couple of days in that area as its stunning, we wish we had more time there. 

Our new friend Sam was kind enough to lend us his jacket for the ride home as he was staying near the caves then coming to Pai the next day. So glad he did it was absolutely freezing as it was after 5pm when we left. Ben ended up putting the jacket on backwards and I put my hands inside the back to try and keep warm we must of looked like right idiots but it really helped. The good part about leaving at that time is you get to catch the sunset, we stopped at a service area (you cant miss it, I think there's actually a trek that runs from there up to the highest point) this was probably one of the best sunsets I’ve seen, we saw the sun perfectly round and glowing setting behind the mountains, it was amazing.

We spent our last night at the market then met Sam the for breakfast the next day and returned his jacket. We hung out at the Art of Pai cafe which is a really cool hippy place, they have lots of veggie options but we just had a smoothie, which was good. After saying our good byes and packing up we got the bus back to Chiang Mai. Again this was a horrible journey so if you get car sick take some sleeping pills, at least two people were throwing up it was that bad.

The next day we just sorted out some washing and sent some more stuff home that we don't need, however I’m starting to wish id sent even more stuff home my bag could actually burst. Found a cool vegan place for lunch called a taste from heaven, had an awesome BLT sandwhich (veggie bacon of course and vegan mayo ;) then later on treated myself to a well needed pedicure, perfect ;)

We were on a tight schedule now to get to Chiang Rai to see the White Temple and Black Temple so we got the bus which actually isnt that bad, its a big coach and we got lucky with our seats. Pre book your tickets as we just turned up at the bus station and all VIP buses were fully booked so we got economy but it was fine, the seats reclined and it was clean and air conditioned, it didnt have a toilet though but you do stop for a quick break. This only cost around 130THB.

To be continued...

Chiang Rai and getting to Laos to follow 

[bigadventure2016]

Thailand - Traveling from Chiang Mai to Pai

May 21 - Pai is a small town in Northern Thailand, about 150 km north west of Chiang Mai. We had met a fellow traveler in Cambodia who raved about Pai and encouraged us to go as it was a little bit more “off the beaten track” than some other locations in Thailand. We took a 3.5 hour minibus trip from Chiang Mai. Thankfully I was able to sit in the front seat, because there were a lot of steep turns and hills en route! We stopped half way and were a bit queasy but thankfully made it all the way to Pai without any incidents. All through our travels I looked longingly at the guest houses with pools, but they were usually out of our budget, or at least quite a bit more than a basic guesthouse. I decided to look on the booking site for a spot with a pool, and I was able to find one with pretty good reviews, and it was in the same price range as the pool-less places! So, we arrived to Pai’s town centre and walked the 15 minutes through the country side and uphill to our guesthouse (which is quite a feat with our heavy backpacks and daypacks). It was a little overcast, and the weather was much cooler than what we were used to (although it was probably still in the high 20’s/low 30’s) but I was optimistic the sun would be out and I would enjoy the pool. We were pleasantly surprised to find the guesthouse owners to be very welcoming and were quick to assist us with fixing our hot water heater in our shower (it was a gas heater). I took a stroll over to the pool and looked at the water....gross....I couldn’t even see the bottom, it was so murky! I had read some reviews online that the pool was really dirty, but this was way worse than what I imagined! Ah well, it wasn’t that hot of a day anyway, and raining slightly, so the pool didn’t seem as enticing. We wandered into town and noticed that there were some really cute shops selling jewelry, guitars (and a ukulele!), a few places for Thai massage, and quite a few restaurants, as well as many 7-Elevens. Maybe we weren’t quite as far off the beaten track as we hoped! Even though this was the case, it was still nice to wander around Pai and soak up the “hippy culture”.

~ Leah

The minibus

The fields on the way to our guesthouse in the country

The Countryside Resort

The reception building

The pond in front of our bungalow

Our bed

The view from the rooftop patio of our bungalow

The underwhelming pool facilities which were the reason we paid extra to stay at The Countryside Resort

The path to our bungalow lit at night